K St is playing better than they have all year.
Arrowhead is a home field advantage for the Cats. Sproules is one of the best RBs in the
nation. I still think that OU is that much better. I have taken the Sooners as my Play of
the Week. I posted at -14, I believe its back
down to 13.5. OU can exploit the KSU pass D
and should shut down Sproules. Roberson will have to have a huge game for the Cats to keep it close. I've been wrong before, but not on
these pows so far.
Arrowhead is a home field advantage for the Cats. Sproules is one of the best RBs in the
nation. I still think that OU is that much better. I have taken the Sooners as my Play of
the Week. I posted at -14, I believe its back
down to 13.5. OU can exploit the KSU pass D
and should shut down Sproules. Roberson will have to have a huge game for the Cats to keep it close. I've been wrong before, but not on
these pows so far.
Just a few reasons that KSU will cover this spread (courtesy of Kevin Keitzman -- media type
"Okahoma is going to have a real problem in the Big 12 title game. They played nobody in the non-conference and only played one road game all year against a team with a winning record. Talk about scheduling breaks, it's no wonder they're 12-0. These guys have played only 2 of their 12 games all year against teams in the current top 25 and they have not faced a team as good as KSU all year. Meanwhile, the Wildcats played two bowl eligible teams in the non-conference and had a killer schedule that including a meat grinder of three road games against top 25 teams playing in the same conference. How can it be that schedules vary so greatly in the same conference? It's really hard to believe one program can catch such a break over another!
To only statistic Olahoma has a sizable margin over the Cats this year is turnovers. The Sooners are plus 18, the Wilcats are minus 4. But much of that can be attributed to the 9 turnovers in the three top 25 road games and three more 4 more when Ell Roberson was injured.
It all adds up to a sizable advatage for K-State in this game. They have been tested frequently this year while the Sooners only had close games with non-bowl teams Alabama and Colorado (forget the big names of these teams, they were not good and KSU just destroyed the Buffaloes).
Another factor is the weather. OU quarterback Jason White has been asked to throw in) and if White does not feel it in his battered knees, he'll feel it in the pass rush. K-State leads the nation in sacks and Oklahoma gave up five sacks to sad sack Baylor earlier this year."
Obviously this was meant to be a very biased commentary, but nothing in that prose is untrue.
To add to that commentary:
KSU has a ton of motivation in this game. They have never won a Big 12 title after appearing in this game on two previous occasions. They have a chance to knock off the #1 team in the country to make amends for their blown opportunity for a national title. This is KSU's national championship game. OU has little motivation, except for pride.
Unlike Texas and OSU, KSU will not allow a couple of touchdowns by OU early to end this game. KSU has always fought to the end of games regardless of the outcome.
Don't discount the turnover factor. Make no mistake Ell Roberson can throw the football and is a gamer. He has been prone to throwing interceptions, but if those don't happen this game will be a very close contest. That being said, KSU will run the ball even against the vaunted Sooner defense.
Snyder has always seemed uptight prior to games such as this. I have not seen that this week. I think he is relishing the fact that no one expects this team to win this game.
Is OU probably the better team? Yes, but nearly every intangible points to KSU. I don't think they are THAT much better.
[This message was edited by Taxcat on December 05, 2003 at 12:02 PM.]
"Okahoma is going to have a real problem in the Big 12 title game. They played nobody in the non-conference and only played one road game all year against a team with a winning record. Talk about scheduling breaks, it's no wonder they're 12-0. These guys have played only 2 of their 12 games all year against teams in the current top 25 and they have not faced a team as good as KSU all year. Meanwhile, the Wildcats played two bowl eligible teams in the non-conference and had a killer schedule that including a meat grinder of three road games against top 25 teams playing in the same conference. How can it be that schedules vary so greatly in the same conference? It's really hard to believe one program can catch such a break over another!
To only statistic Olahoma has a sizable margin over the Cats this year is turnovers. The Sooners are plus 18, the Wilcats are minus 4. But much of that can be attributed to the 9 turnovers in the three top 25 road games and three more 4 more when Ell Roberson was injured.
It all adds up to a sizable advatage for K-State in this game. They have been tested frequently this year while the Sooners only had close games with non-bowl teams Alabama and Colorado (forget the big names of these teams, they were not good and KSU just destroyed the Buffaloes).
Another factor is the weather. OU quarterback Jason White has been asked to throw in) and if White does not feel it in his battered knees, he'll feel it in the pass rush. K-State leads the nation in sacks and Oklahoma gave up five sacks to sad sack Baylor earlier this year."
Obviously this was meant to be a very biased commentary, but nothing in that prose is untrue.
To add to that commentary:
KSU has a ton of motivation in this game. They have never won a Big 12 title after appearing in this game on two previous occasions. They have a chance to knock off the #1 team in the country to make amends for their blown opportunity for a national title. This is KSU's national championship game. OU has little motivation, except for pride.
Unlike Texas and OSU, KSU will not allow a couple of touchdowns by OU early to end this game. KSU has always fought to the end of games regardless of the outcome.
Don't discount the turnover factor. Make no mistake Ell Roberson can throw the football and is a gamer. He has been prone to throwing interceptions, but if those don't happen this game will be a very close contest. That being said, KSU will run the ball even against the vaunted Sooner defense.
Snyder has always seemed uptight prior to games such as this. I have not seen that this week. I think he is relishing the fact that no one expects this team to win this game.
Is OU probably the better team? Yes, but nearly every intangible points to KSU. I don't think they are THAT much better.
[This message was edited by Taxcat on December 05, 2003 at 12:02 PM.]
Historically 14 pts is a lot for any Championship game and yes a lot of KSU stats point to a closer game and a good many believe KSU could pull off the upset. I think if the books put this under 10 say 8.5, they could get killed. Remember the books really are happy with even action on either side and 12.5-14 is where they think they will get it. BUT - don't be fooled OKLA is not going to come in here lightly. They are focused and are a much better team on both sides of the ball. Roberson can't hold Whites jock! Okla does not want to edge out a win or potentially lose and go into the National championship losing the Big12 but winning the Nat.Ch.! They are going to come into Arrowhead and tear them a new one - it will be over midway through the 2nd half. I do see a backdoor cover possibly though. I see OU up 35-17 with 10 minutes to go, start pulling starters to protect against injury and give the 2nd stringers playing time/memories. And KSU getting the backdoor. Final score scenarios: OKLA 48-17, or 35-24. Anyways, I will be playing 75% of my action on Okla in 13pt Teasers (-1), and 25% on KSU +27. Will probably win them all! Good luck all!
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Pretending:
Some good write-ups here, but we've got a clear consensus and that's what counts, imo.
Please vote if you haven't already - would love to see the number of votes up to around 75<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Got 75. It might get up to 100.
Some good write-ups here, but we've got a clear consensus and that's what counts, imo.
Please vote if you haven't already - would love to see the number of votes up to around 75<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Got 75. It might get up to 100.
