2001 OSU Season

Cowboys Must Win a Probable Loss

October 11, 2001

If Les Miles still has that intense gambler's fire inside him, he must use it all on Saturday or risk embarrassment. The Pokes are on the sour side of a massive mismatch against the Texas Longhorns this week in a game that kicks off at 11:30 a.m. on Fox Sports, local Channel 9, at Lewis Field in Stillwater and must risk everything to come out victorious. Onside kicks, fourth down conversions, half-back passes, reverses, fake punts, fake field goals, and possibly even Halloween costumes will be needed to knock off the Longhorns who are steaming after another loss to the surging Sooners.

On the offensive side of the football the Cowboys must let Aso Pogi make the play, but give him some feel of a running game, whether it be Tatum Bell, Richard Schwarz, or Tim Burroughs. As Oklahoma did, they must let Pogi move around in the pocket and make plays with his feet as well as his arm using bootlegs, misdirection pitches, and draws to temper the Texas blitz that will surely come with the Longhorn speed. The big play ability of Rashaun Woods must be used to open up other receivers such as John Lewis and T. D. Bryant. The play of Burroughs, Bell, Schwarz, and tight end Milosevich are big too so Pogi has a release valve when the Texas blitz comes.

On the defensive side of the football Oklahoma State needs to get to Chris Simms early and do as Oklahoma did with taking away the Longhorn ground game. Missouri was the first school to have substantial success against Oklahoma State this year on the ground with 149 yards albeit on 41 carries, but if OSU has any chance of winning this game they can't give up three to four yards per carry to Texas. Without a running game Texas can still give OSU fits if the Pokes don't get to Simms, if they hit him good early, knock a few passes down, or get an interception or two then they can get into his head which seems the best way to break his rhythm.

When it comes to special teams Oklahoma State had some miscues last week, including the blocked field goal that meant the end in a bad loss to the Tigers. This week they must be near perfect in this area with some trickery and deception en route to making a few big plays. If the Pokes plan to win they must have a big punt return, blocked punt or field goal, or a big fake of some kind to get momentum and make the Horns remember how close they were to victory last week.

Aso Pogi believes his team can give Texas a run, but it will take a lot of work. "Texas will have an edge on paper. They are nationally ranked, and I think they believe they have an edge over us as a football team, but I think that is the advantage for us. We have got to come back and show how good we are. That is the reason we play the games. Teams that are supposed to get beat end up pulling it off. We will take this last game and improve from our mistakes and go get after Texas."

The edge will be on paper and this is always on odd game for a team like Texas coming off of a game like they had last week, will they come out full of fire and venom or with a broken heart? The problem is that Oklahoma State is coming off of a heart-breaker too and will be trying to find their way as well, if OSU had won last week they may have more of an edge in momentum. However, both come in a little shaky and Texas has a big advantage in talent, speed, and they know how to win.

Texas

Where? Austin, Texas

Colors? Burnt Orange and White

Who? Longhorns

Website? www.texassports.com

Coach- Mack Brown, 4th year, 31-12. 17 years overall, 117-86-1.

2000 Record- 9-3 overall, 7-1 in Big 12 (3rd), Lost Holiday Bowl.

OklahomaSports.com- 12

AP Rank- 11

ESPN/USA Today Rank- 11

Last League Title- 1997

Offensive Coordinator- Greg Davis, 4th season