Sure, to pull off the upset, the No. 17 Cowboys will need quarterback Zac Robinson to make some plays, and Dez Bryant to be his usual self (100 yards receiving and a couple TDs). And the defense will have made a tough stand or two.
But the potential for this upset is built on ball control. Long drives that eat clock and result in points. That’s where Hunter and Toston come in.
Oklahoma State’s heart and soul is in the run game. Maybe that wasn’t on display much during Saturday’s win over Texas A&M, but these Cowboys are a run-first, run-often offense.
The Tigers will score fast. That’s how they operate. They have 23 scoring drives this season that have taken less than 2:30.
But they can’t score if they’re not on the field.
Oklahoma State ranks 10th nationally in time of possession at 32:47 per game, a talent that was on display two Saturdays ago against Troy, when the Pokes held the ball for more than two-thirds of the game.
That’s the type of ball control OSU needs Saturday in Columbia, Mo., because the Tigers don’t need a lot of time to score a lot of points. They rank 118th out of 119 in time of possession, but second in points.
It’s not about playing slower for OSU. The Cowboys don’t need to alter their style; they just need to keep the clock running and their offense on the field.
That’s where Hunter and Toston come in.
Missouri has the No. 2 rush defense in the Big 12, but that’s not necessarily representative of its talent. The Tigers score quickly and build big leads, forcing teams away from the run game.
The Cowboys must grind out yardage on the ground and minimize Missouri’s possessions. And OSU’s offense is at its best when the rushing attack is sharp.
If OSU finds itself in a fast-break shootout, the scoring gap could widen. But if the Cowboys shorten the game and ride their running backs, they should be in it at the end.
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That was the first time I've ever seen you write something that was correct, Carlie. We won't write about the upset....we'll let the sports writers do that job, and all of us will enjoy those stories. Except you.
The run game will be important but why doesn't anyone think ZRob will have a career day? Missouri is last in the Big 12 in pass defense giving up 282.2 yards per game. Remember the Texas game last year? You know Dez will get his. If Pettigrew is healthy and the other receivers step up OSU can be balanced and give MU all they can handle.
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Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.