{"id":1271,"date":"2015-11-24T19:26:55","date_gmt":"2015-11-25T01:26:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/?p=1271"},"modified":"2015-12-03T00:02:33","modified_gmt":"2015-12-03T06:02:33","slug":"bedlam-breakdown-ou-or-osu-mayfield-gives-ou-an-edge-in-stillwater-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/?p=1271","title":{"rendered":"Bedlam Breakdown: OU or OSU? Mayfield gives OU an edge in Stillwater?"},"content":{"rendered":"
My take on the game Saturday night in Stillwater between two 10-1 Big 12 powers in the Bedlam game of 2015.\u00a0 If the Sooners win, hello Big 12 Championship. If the Cowboys win, look for a major bowl, Big 12 title or not. This is the most important (for both teams) Bedlam game in history.<\/em><\/h6>\n

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\"ou-osu\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Offense<\/h5>\n
Quarterback:\u00a0 Both teams have outstanding quarterbacks coming into Bedlam.\u00a0 Baker Mayfield will give the OSU defense problems as will Mason Rudolph and JW Walsh will do the same to the Sooner stoppers.\u00a0 Given Mayfield’s concussion last Saturday, it will be a must that he plays for OU to have a better than even chance for a win on the road. If Trevor Knight starts and Mayfield sits, all bets are off.\u00a0 Grade- OU A with Mayfield but only a C with Knight.\u00a0 OSU- A for the two headed monster.\u00a0 Edge: Even (if Mayfield plays)<\/h6>\n

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Running Back:\u00a0 Samaji Perine is the diamond in the rough here.\u00a0 Joe Mixon is another A class back OU can throw at the Cowboys.\u00a0 Brooks and Flowers can and will give excellent support for Perine and Mixon.\u00a0 They are game changers and money backs.\u00a0 Okla. State has average runners at best but because they do not\u00a0rely on them to win ball games, that does not\u00a0hurt them as much as one might think. J.W. Walsh’s short yardage running and the\u00a0success on how the Pokes make that one, two, or three yards when he is in the game is significant.\u00a0 Do not\u00a0count the OSU ground game out as they, when needed, can beat you at the goal line when touchdowns are needed.\u00a0 Grade-\u00a0A for OU;\u00a0 B for OSU\u00a0when you include J.W.\u00a0Walsh\u00a0 Edge:\u00a0 OU<\/h6>\n

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Offensive line:\u00a0 OU’s line blocks for the run better than OSU and both protect the quarterback about the same.\u00a0 A major concern for both teams and defensive line that can whip the others offensive\u00a0 line will have an advantage in winning.\u00a0 Grade:\u00a0 OU- C+; OSU-\u00a0C\u00a0 Edge: OU<\/h6>\n

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Receivers:\u00a0 Both teams have some significant talent when it comes to catching the ball.\u00a0 OU’s Sterling Shepard has great hands and is a dangerous player noted for making both the routine and the spectacular\u00a0play.\u00a0Dede Westbrook is an above average second receiver for OU and has to be covered.\u00a0 Depth is good but OU’s pass catchers do have a tendency to drop the ball.\u00a0 The TE is under utilized and could be a surprise threat for OU on Saturday.\u00a0 OSU has a deep group and with James\u00a0Washington and Dan\u00a0Glidden leading the way, the Pokes can fill the lanes and put terrific pressure on a Sooner secondary.\u00a0 Big plays in the passing game could hurt OU.\u00a0 Look for the Pokes to test the Sooners deep, often.\u00a0 Glidden will get his share of looks as will Austin Hayes, Marcell Ateman, and Josh Shepard. OSU\u00a0must\u00a0have success on Saturday if OU shuts the run down.\u00a0 Grade: OU- B; OSU- A\u00a0 Edge:\u00a0 OSU<\/h6>\n

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Offensive Coordinator:\u00a0 Lincoln Riley’s first Bedlam will be like his first OU\/UT Red River Shootout?\u00a0 This is a big time game and the team that doesn’t go all out will be left in the headlights.\u00a0 A fast start, with plenty of innovations, special plays, long bombs, etc. will be a advantage.\u00a0 Riley can’t be shy in this game and if Knight is the\u00a0quarterback, the Sooners still need\u00a0to be aggressive.\u00a0 Riley has said that Knight\u00a0will not be handcuffed.\u00a0 As for Mike Yurcich, his improvement has been steady this year, especially with the great quarterback and receivers he has to work with.\u00a0 Even with the loss last week, his offense put up 35 points and over 500 yards.\u00a0The same can be said for Yurcich, the game is for the taking.\u00a0 Aggressive play a must.\u00a0\u00a0Grade: OU- B+; OSU- B+\u00a0 Edge:\u00a0 Even<\/h6>\n

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\"23882643_BG1\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Defense<\/h5>\n

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Defensive Line:\u00a0Oklahoma State has arguably the best defensive player in the Big 12 and as good a defensive end in the\u00a0country in \u00a0Emmanuel Ogbah.\u00a0 OSU has another outstanding lineman in Vincent Taylor.\u00a0 This group did not play well against Baylor and will have to stop Perine and Mixon or the Sooners become two-dimensional and the Pokes will give up\u00a0points\u00a0in bunches as they gave the Baylor Bears.\u00a0Jimmy Bean will be missed\u00a0by the Cowboys.\u00a0 As for the Sooners, their defensive line should have plenty of success\u00a0as they are a strong group\u00a0that can get after it.\u00a0 Say what you want, but the match-ups\u00a0here give OU a decided advantage over the\u00a0Poke offensive line.\u00a0 OU has a\u00a0great young group here.\u00a0 Grade:\u00a0 OSU- C+; OU- A-\u00a0 Edge:\u00a0 OU<\/h6>\n

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Linebackers:\u00a0\u00a0The way the\u00a0Cowboys\u00a0allow teams to march down the field then make the big stop or turnover tell me that the linebackers\u00a0 are good but not great.\u00a0 They do possess speed and can get after you.\u00a0As for OU, You can say that\u00a0with Jordan Evans and Dom Alexander they have the experience to bring it. Eric Striker,\u00a0as the defensive end or outside backer, the Sooner have their game changer.\u00a0\u00a0Same can be said with\u00a0Devante\u00a0Bond on the other end. Call them\u00a0what you\u00a0want, they are speedy and can play the rush or step back and defend.\u00a0 Grade:\u00a0OSU- B; OU A\u00a0 Edge: OU<\/h6>\n

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Defensive Secondary:\u00a0 Both teams are better than average\u00a0and not just in the conference.\u00a0 OSU’s Kevin Peterson is an\u00a0NFL corner and will get Shepard in coverage. He will win his\u00a0share of battles.\u00a0 Sterns is a good safety but must not allow the\u00a0big over the top play. Baylor\u00a0killed this secondary and OU has the same striking ability.\u00a0 For OU, look for Zack Sanchez to be tested with taller and much bigger receivers.\u00a0 Ahmad\u00a0Thomas should have some success with\u00a0OSU’s James Washington but if the\u00a0Pokes can get one of their bigger receivers to work on Sanchez\u00a0the Pokes will have success.\u00a0 Grade: OSU- B; OU-\u00a0B\u00a0 Edge:\u00a0 Even<\/h6>\n

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Defensive Coordinators:\u00a0 OSU’s\u00a0Glenn Spencer\u00a0doesn’t get\u00a0upset when OSU has problems, especially early in games.\u00a0\u00a0Except for the Baylor game, the Pokes are strong in the 4th quarter and get the stop or\u00a0a turnover.\u00a0 The Cowboys play with speed and Spencer is sound,\u00a0knowing this is the Big 12 and you are not going to completely shut\u00a0teams like OU down.\u00a0 For Mike Stoops, OU has made a significant improvement from last year.\u00a0 The fact of the matter is that OU’s\u00a0total\u00a0defensive package will also give\u00a0up some points\u00a0and big plays but in total, this is\u00a0an excellent defense,\u00a0and in\u00a0my opinion, the most talented defense in the league.\u00a0 Grade: OSU- A-; OU:\u00a0 A-\u00a0\u00a0Edge: Even<\/h6>\n

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Special Teams:\u00a0 Look for limited success in punt and kickoff returns for both teams.\u00a0 As for the placement, both have good kickers that do occasionally miss.\u00a0 If given a chance to win a game, OSU’s\u00a0Ben\u00a0Grogan has done it. \u00a0Punting has been strong for OSU with Zach Sinor pinning the opponents deep often.\u00a0 Grade:\u00a0 OSU- B; OU- B-\u00a0 Edge:\u00a0 OSU<\/h6>\n

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Intangibles:\u00a0 The game is at Stillwater and that is positive for the Cowboys.\u00a0 With a loss last week, OSU will have that advantage that Baylor had after their loss at home to OU. The Pokes are a very confident group and have excellent leadership with J.W. Walsh on this team. He is the Baker Mayfield of the Pokes and vice versa. The crowd will be hyped up and it is always tough to win on the road in the Big 12 when teams are comparable.\u00a0 OU has a National Title shot to play for and that should be enough for them to play with intensity. OSU is also playing for a chance of a Big 12 Championship and with a win, even if Baylor beats their final two foes, the Pokes have a great chance to play in either the Fiesta Bowl or the Sugar if the Bears are chosen for the playoffs.\u00a0 When you get two 10-1 teams going at it that is in itself a game between two very successful teams.\u00a0 The weather won’t be good but forget it.\u00a0 This game will be won by the team that makes plays, does not turn\u00a0the ball\u00a0over, and makes stops.\u00a0 With Baker Mayfield playing his normal game, this one is a pick’em at best. With Trevor Knight at QB for OU, the Cowboys take this one.<\/h6>\n

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Final:\u00a0 OU 34, Oklahoma State 33 (Baker Mayfield plays)<\/em><\/h6>\n

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Final:\u00a0 OSU 44, OU 24 (if Trevor Knight plays<\/em><\/h6>\n

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OU is big trouble if the Heisman hopeful is out.<\/em><\/h6>\n

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My take on the game Saturday night in Stillwater between two 10-1 Big 12 powers…<\/p>\n

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