Oklahoma State is through their first four games of the year, and came out smelling like a rose at 4-0.
A gorgeous work of art that included two beat downs in Stillwater, a midnight road premiere in Tulsa (My sleep schedule still isn't recovered) and a brilliant final chapter in the book of second half comebacks against A&M, something that is sure to send the Ags to the SEC with their tails between their legs.
But the first phase of the season is over, and the second is about to begin this weekend against Kansas.
To see the prior installment of this series, check out my blog post from the first four games here.
Game 5: Kansas. OSU 47 KU 14 Uniform Predition: Black Helmet, Orange Jersey, Black Pants
Coming off of their bye week, the Cowboys should be well prepared for this game. Although they have yet to show the recovery process from losing CB Devin Hedgepeth (achilles) and OG Jonathan Rush (knee) for the season, I think they will be okay. For Hedgepeth's spot, Brodrick Brown just shut down Biletnikoff hopeful Jeff Fuller in College Station, and Justin Gilbert on the opposite side is probably the best athlete in the Big 12, if not the country (Yeah, I said it.) For Rush, his buddy Nick Martinez will most likely step into his guard spot. Overall, this game will be another blowout. Kansas had a good first half against Texas Tech last week, but OSU is completely different and a whole different level of "Explosiveness." The Pokes ride on, 5-0.
Game 6: @ Texas. OSU 38 UT 24 Uniform Prediction: White helmet, jersey and pants.
OSU hasn't lost to a team in Texas in two years now, and I don't see them losing in the Lone Star State this year either. The longhorns have incredible home field advantage and incredible athletes, but lack what makes every good football team great -- a quarterback. With no quarterback comes no leadership, and with no leadership comes a wandering ship. The Cowboy defense showed their true colors against A&M in the second half. Now we know what they're capable of, let's just hope that becomes the minimum they give. The score will be a lot closer than the game is, I think Texas will score some garbage points at the end.
Game 7: @ Mizzou. OSU 48 MU 38 Uniform Prediction: White Helmet, White Jersey, Orange Pants
This is the second "Game of the Year" in my mind (With A&M being the first.) Missouri has a way of making things complicated, especially when the game is played in Columbia. OU was beaten there last year, and the Tigers defend their home turf extremely well. This will be another thriller, but I think OSU once again escapes by the skin of their teeth simply because they have better, veteran athletes that have been in a game like that before.
Game 8: HOMECOMING vs. Baylor. OSU 52 BU 14 Uniform Prediction: White Helmet, Orange Jersey, White Pants
Everything about this game is exciting. Last year, the Bears rolled in with all the confidence in the world, only to be down 35 points about 5 plays into the game. This year, the stage will be set similarly. Kansas State just knocked off Baylor in Manhattan this past weekend (October 1), but Baylor knows how to win a ballgame. However, at this point the Pokes will have been away from home for a long time with one game in Stillwater since September 8th against Arizona. They'll come charging out of the tunnel and not look back, especially with last year's homecoming loss to Nebraska in the back of their minds. They aren't letting that happen again, you can take that to the bank.
Season Phase 1 MVP's:
Safety Daytawion Lowe- The Cowboys lost Johnny Thomas, their starting safety alongside Markelle Martin, at the beginning of the season because of eligibility issues. Fans were questioning if Lowe was capable of filling his shoes. If he didn't answer those questions in the first three games of the season, his big hit and forced fumble early in the second half of the A&M game should have.
Defensive End Cooper Bassett- Not to promo my own stories, but the O'Collegian is running my feature on Bassett friday, so be on the lookout for that. Bassett has been playing out of his mind. Long story short, he was recruited as a tight end and changed to defensive end last year. This year, he's been in on several key and game-changing plays. Bassett will be a force down the stretch, and the rest of his days at State.
WR Johnny Cooper- Brandon Weeden always says "I don't know why Cooper doesn't get any publicity." Well here you go, Brandon. He's getting a special shoutout on the most-read blog on the internet... Ha. But seriously, Cooper has been an incredible compliment to Justin Blackmon so far this season, serving as both an outlet for Weeden, as well as sneaking under the radar against defenses. Coop is dynamite in a bottle.
O-Lineman Nick Martinez- Give the big man some love! Once again, did a feature on him a week or so ago... But not the point. Martinez came into the year not having a position, and played two or three every game up through A&M to keep everyone fresh. He's the main reason why Joseph Randle has been able to run the ball so well, he comes in fresh while another guy recovers on the sideline, then does it for the next guy, and so on. With Rush going down with his knee injury, Martinez will most likely get cemented into taking his spot, and with that the rotation will most likely die. Unless Coach Wickline hasn't something else under his sleeve. I wouldn't be surprised if he does.
That's all I've got, "Phase 3" breakdown will come after the Baylor game.
Go Pokes, Go Rangers!
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