HornSports Staff
HornSports.com
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- Oct 20, 2013
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Ryan Bridges
I have three keys for this game, so let's take them one at a time. First, how worried is Sterlin Gilbert about Shane Buechele's health? Against Cal, Buechele's injury affected the play calling more than it affected his performance. It's important that Sterlin let Buechele chuck it deep and, if the opportunity is there, maybe let him run a few times. My second key is whether Vance Bedford has learned the lessons of last season's meeting and the previous game. In the last meeting, Texas sided with age over ability in the secondary. With Antwuan Davis and John Bonney at corner, Mason Rudolph started 7-of-8 for 119 yards (14.9 yards per attempt) and a touchdown. When the freshmen were put in, he fell to 15-of-26 for 171 yards (6.6 ypa) and two interceptions, with a third INT negated by a fictional penalty and one or two more dropped. How many points will OSU get on the board before guys like Brandon Jones and DeShon Elliott get on the field? Against Cal, Texas seemed clueless as to how to eliminate a stud receiver. Baylor provided an idiot's guide against Oklahoma State last week. Did Vance watch it? My final key to the game is: Which Oklahoma State team shows up? I love Texas' chances if it's the 2-2 version that lost to Central Michigan (the final play shouldn't have happened, but neither should the Cowboys' would-be game-winning touchdown; an obscenely obvious holding penalty was WAVED OFF on the 4th down score) and has big wins over Pittsburgh and, uh, let's call them the Lions. But if it's the OSU team that has other Texas writers trembling over their game previews, uh-oh. No cowardice in this preview. Texas is the more talented team. Texas was the better team in 2014 when it won by 21 points, and it was the better team last year when it got robbed.
Score Prediction: Texas 41 - Oklahoma State 28
Harrison Wier
The Longhorns have not lost in Stillwater since 1997. The visiting team in this series has not lost since 2008. Can Texas keep the streak alive? The majority answer is no. I tend to agree with that prediction.
Texas has taken two steps forward and one step back over the past couple of years. In what looked to be Charlie Strong's breakout season, Texas looked flat against Cal. Defensive coordinator Vance Bedford is now coaching for his job. The Texas defensive corps is on pace to have a record breaking year, and not the good kind. What needs to happen for Texas to come out on top in Stillwater? First and foremost, the defense must create turnovers. Texas has forced one, yes one, turnover all year. Arizona State forced three against California last weekend. Whether it's playing more young defenders in the secondary like Brandon Jones, Vance Bedford needs to make changes. On offense, Sterlin Gilbert needs to let D'onta Foreman and Chris Warren III take him to the promise land. Allowing these RB's to do their thing puts less pressure on freshman Shane Buechele.
For Oklahoma State, the key is exploiting a weak Longhorns secondary. How do they do this? The Mason Rudolph to PJ Washington narrative is probably a good start. Texas has their hands full with these two, and must pressure Rudolph all day to have a chance. Fundamentally, Oklahoma State looks better than Texas in many areas. Talent wise, Texas has the clear advantage. When will the light finally switch on, if ever, for Texas? We will find out at 11:00 a.m. CT on Saturday. Charlie Strong and Vance Bedford are coaching for their jobs. Let's hope they coach like it.
Score Prediction: Oklahoma State 38 - Texas 31
Taylor Smith
An 11am game on the road really hurts Texas in its matchup against Oklahoma State this weekend. Both teams lost last week on the road, but I think the home field advantage and time of the game helps the Cowboys get their first Big 12 win of the season. Texas’ slow start to the game and not scoring on its first drive will come back and haunt the Longhorns in the fourth quarter. The defense will set up and make plays, even scoring a defensive touchdown to keep Vance Bedford his job, but the Longhorns will lose in a close game.
Score Prediction: Oklahoma State 28 - Texas 24
Daniel Seahorn
I've been going back and forth with this one all week after fully digesting last week's loss against Cal. On one hand Texas looks to have its hands full with the Cowboys offense that features Mason Rudolph and James Washington and on the other hand it can be debated that Texas was the better team last year and should have won the game if it weren't for a special teams debacle is questionable officiating.
Both teams need this game in a bad way as a loss sends Texas to 2-2 heading into their big rivalry game against Oklahoma and a loss for Oklahoma State gives them their third of the season and second in conference. On the Texas side of things I'm nervous about Shane Buechele's health after he took some big shots against Cal and had to leave the game, so I suspect they will try to protect him as much as possible. It also goes without saying that the Texas secondary is going to have to be worlds better than they were against the Bears to have a chance in Stillwater.
With the Horns coming off the bye week and time to prepare and get healthy for this matchup, I'm going to take the Texas ever so slightly over the Cowboys, but I don't do it with a ton of confidence at the moment.
Score Prediction: Texas 42 - Oklahoma State 38
Chris Flanagan
THE WORLD IS CRASHING DOWN!!! IT'S ALL OVER!!!
Well, at least to Texas Longhorns fans after the first loss of the season. Some are even bringing back "Fire Charlie" posts simply because they lost 1 game. 1 game. That's it.
Yes, people are frustrated that the team is young and that they will make mistakes. The Longhorns have not been relevant for years. So now, because overreaction is the game in College football, Texas will lose every game this season. Not so fast.
Yes, Oklahoma State opens as the favorites. However, Texas has had two weeks to think about this game. Also, Oklahoma State is very good at stopping themselves from scoring. Let's not forget the bitter taste in the Longhorns' mouth after losing the way they lost last year that should provide fuel to the fire this year.
This is still the same Oklahoma State team that lost to Central Michigan (yes, I know they shouldn't have gotten that play but guess what? They shouldn't have been in a close game with Central Michigan). They are not as good as we thought to begin the season and I believe the Longhorns will bounce back with a big win.
Score Prediction: Texas 35 – Oklahoma State 24
Mike Roach
There are a few red flags about this game that worry me. I’m never comfortable in 11AM matchups on the road, and according to the results through his tenure, it doesn’t look like Charlie Strong is either. Both teams are fighting to stay above water here, as a loss for either would be a pretty big setback. A must win situation this early in the season should lead to some tension on the field. What this matchup comes down to for me is belief. I believe that Sterlin Gilbert and maybe even Vance Bedford can learn from mistakes in previous weeks. I’ve also never been a believer in Mason Rudolph. Oklahoma State has the weapons to wound an already whimpering Texas defense, but it comes down to Rudolph executing. If he plays at his best it will be tough sledding for the Longhorns, but if he doesn’t he’s a turnover prone passer with problems in the red zone. It’s crucial that Texas at least splits the next two games, and would be great if they swept the Oklahoma schools. It’s now or never for Vance Bedford and his unit, and if they improve this is a very dangerous team.
Score Prediction: Texas 34 – Oklahoma State 30
Aaron Carrara
An early game on the road is less than desirable for Texas, but this game is about survival. A Texas loss in Stillwater puts the Longhorns at .500 as they head to the Cotton Bowl to battle Oklahoma. With a loss to the Longhorns, Oklahoma State falls to 2-3. Texas needs to put up points to win - and a lot of them if the defense continues to struggle. Oklahoma State's offense doesn't appear to be as prolific as it has been in previous years, and if Texas is able to pressure Rudolph early things should go well for the Longhorns. Texas gets a big performance from Shane Buechele and D'Onta Foreman and the Longhorns leave Stillwater with a narrow victory win and a little confidence headed into OU week.
Score Prediction: Texas 41 – Oklahoma State 34
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