first, the obligatory beginning of the year I'm an OSU alum and huge fan take it with a grain of salt comment.
Now, moving on...
Oklahoma State started out getting around 2.5. It's now a pickem I believe, at some places that have the lines out...
Insight into OSU's team.
They have two great offensive linemen, Sam Mayes the RG who is arguably an All American. He's lost 40 pounds this year and will be a unanimus all Big 12 player. Last year, he played alongside true freshman Corey Hilliard who has moved over to LT to protect the backside of redshirt freshman and younger brother of Rashaun, Donovan Woods. Hilliard is about 3 steps up at that position from last years talent. The OLINE is seasoned, and much stronger than last year.
TE Billy Bajema looks to pick up where he left off the last few games last season and be a go to guy. He's much stronger and much improved. Also, probably another all Big 12 player.
FB Shawn Willis is in my opinion the best FB in the country bar none. Many of you probably aren't familiar with his name and probably the entire OSU football team but his is one you will learn along with RB Vernand Morency who will blow you away.
I said many times last year, and maybe even on this site, that he was FAR BETTER than Tatum Bell who was a first round draft pick this year.
QB is a question as two freshmen were competing for the starting job when true freshman (enrolled a semester early) had to have shoulder surgery and is likely out for the year. Backup Jamie Beeghly saw limited action last year and is not the type of player you want to stake your season on. Al Pena is the next option and possibly could be the backup. He transferred from Ga. Tech and sat out last year.
OSU has NO game experience at QB. However, Donovan Woods is the real deal. He will eventually be a great college qb, but eventually doesn't win opening games in the Rose Bowl...
Defensively, OSU has questions up front on the Defensive line after losing several key players. Brad Girtman is the headliner but he's only a sophomore. The talent is there, and they are stronger than last year, and more talented, but overall they are very inexperienced and very thin. Linebacker looks to be pretty solid, losing no players from last year and picking up where they left off. True Freshman Roderick Joshson should see playing time and could make some "rookie mistakes" but it will likely be in short stints.
OSU has a pretty talented group of freshman that look to contribute and contribute early. Walter Thomas, a 6'6" 350 pound DT should see plenty of time as should Prentice Elliot a true freshman athlete that will likely play WR only. He has been tabbed as the BEST ATHLETE on the entire team already. There is a problem, however, as niether of these players has been cleared by the clearing house. The NCAA cleared them to practice, but that is all. The outlook is good for them to get the green light, but if it's a no go, it is a HUGE blow to OSU.
OSU's secondary is tough, with two great corners and two NFL draft picks, including Robert Jones and possible first rounder (many so called experts saying this, however I don't think so) Darrent Williams.
One aspect that will have a huge impact is special teams. OSU has a huge edge here with Punter and Kickoff man Cole Farden.
"High marks: DeForest said Farden seems driven to improve over last season when he ranked second in Big 12 punting with 43.17 yards per attempt.
"He's averaging over 48 yards a kick in this camp and he's been as consistent and as long as he's ever been. He's worked really hard this summer and he has a goal. He wants to lead the nation. And that's all right with me," (special teams coach)DeForest said.
Teams score once every 30 possessions when starting inside the 20-yard line.
Each year, DeForest gives the special teams units a chart of NCAA stats. His favorite stat is teams score once every 30 possessions when starting inside the 20-yard line.
“That to me epitomizes how valuable Cole is,” DeForest said. “He’s so valuable on kickoffs, but he’s also one of the best punters in the nation. He’s our most valuable player for our defense.”
Coaches refer to field position as hidden yards. That’s where Farden, a senior from Grapevine, Texas, excels. Besides averaging 43.2 yards a punt last season, 73 percent of Farden’s kickoffs resulted in touchbacks.
(that clip was taken from a Daily Oklahoman article)
FG kicker is another question as SR. Luke Phillips was automatic from nearly all distances. All practices have been "closed" so this one is a tough one. Two freshman, one a rs and one a scholarship true freshman are battling for the position. The true frosh, Jason Ricks looks to have won the battle and he has a very strong leg, nailing 3 consective fg's of 45, 48, and 54 yards in live scrimmage action. STILL a HUGE concern for me is that aspect.
OSU has not fared well in openers and this is the third year in a row they have opened on the road.
UCLA---I'm sure there are plenty on here who can give a good rundown on them, I'm going to go into them very little.
They are beat all to hell on the defensive line and their linebackers are suffering nagging injuries. They have Perry, a great WR, and their qb is solid. If he doesn't get the job done, there's a juco guy who has proven to be a winner at all other levels...That's all you're getting there.
My outlook on the game is this:
OSU will dominate the line of scrimmage and time of possession. They will run nearly at will on UCLA but there will be mistakes by the freshman qb and other freshman contributers, and I won't be surpised to see them turn the ball over. Donovan Woods is great on his feet, but inconsistent in the air. His brother Dejuan will have a solid game replacing the oldest Woods brother Rashaun, and the TE will get some balls thrown his way. OSU will throw the ball deep early, and run some option, bootlegs, and draws. You won't see many short passes. The FB should get quite a few carries and there will be a lot of Vernand Morency. Depth after Morency is a concern as Jr. Seymore Shaw is beat up, and the rest of the players have little/no game experience. UCLA should be pretty even in the run/pass arena testing Oklahoma State early. The line is certainly a question for OSU and we'll just have to see how that goes.
My homerish prediction is OSU by 14-24 depending on if they turn the ball over and where...
They will certainly win outright and cover the spread...
I already stated I'm an osu guy but I know a TON about this team and the info I gave is FACT, not OPINION. My outcome statement is opinion, but the rest is FACT. I know the big 12 well and I think most people who have posted here for a few years know that.
Please, do your own homework on this game. It is worth it for you to take a look for yourself. Don't take my word for it, because I'm not paying your gambling debts, just trying to help you keep them down
.
Good luck all. I'll be posting more on the other big 12 games when I have time, but won't really be doing any writeups or anything at least until I've seen everyone live or conference play kicks in.
Now, moving on...
Oklahoma State started out getting around 2.5. It's now a pickem I believe, at some places that have the lines out...
Insight into OSU's team.
They have two great offensive linemen, Sam Mayes the RG who is arguably an All American. He's lost 40 pounds this year and will be a unanimus all Big 12 player. Last year, he played alongside true freshman Corey Hilliard who has moved over to LT to protect the backside of redshirt freshman and younger brother of Rashaun, Donovan Woods. Hilliard is about 3 steps up at that position from last years talent. The OLINE is seasoned, and much stronger than last year.
TE Billy Bajema looks to pick up where he left off the last few games last season and be a go to guy. He's much stronger and much improved. Also, probably another all Big 12 player.
FB Shawn Willis is in my opinion the best FB in the country bar none. Many of you probably aren't familiar with his name and probably the entire OSU football team but his is one you will learn along with RB Vernand Morency who will blow you away.
I said many times last year, and maybe even on this site, that he was FAR BETTER than Tatum Bell who was a first round draft pick this year.
QB is a question as two freshmen were competing for the starting job when true freshman (enrolled a semester early) had to have shoulder surgery and is likely out for the year. Backup Jamie Beeghly saw limited action last year and is not the type of player you want to stake your season on. Al Pena is the next option and possibly could be the backup. He transferred from Ga. Tech and sat out last year.
OSU has NO game experience at QB. However, Donovan Woods is the real deal. He will eventually be a great college qb, but eventually doesn't win opening games in the Rose Bowl...
Defensively, OSU has questions up front on the Defensive line after losing several key players. Brad Girtman is the headliner but he's only a sophomore. The talent is there, and they are stronger than last year, and more talented, but overall they are very inexperienced and very thin. Linebacker looks to be pretty solid, losing no players from last year and picking up where they left off. True Freshman Roderick Joshson should see playing time and could make some "rookie mistakes" but it will likely be in short stints.
OSU has a pretty talented group of freshman that look to contribute and contribute early. Walter Thomas, a 6'6" 350 pound DT should see plenty of time as should Prentice Elliot a true freshman athlete that will likely play WR only. He has been tabbed as the BEST ATHLETE on the entire team already. There is a problem, however, as niether of these players has been cleared by the clearing house. The NCAA cleared them to practice, but that is all. The outlook is good for them to get the green light, but if it's a no go, it is a HUGE blow to OSU.
OSU's secondary is tough, with two great corners and two NFL draft picks, including Robert Jones and possible first rounder (many so called experts saying this, however I don't think so) Darrent Williams.
One aspect that will have a huge impact is special teams. OSU has a huge edge here with Punter and Kickoff man Cole Farden.
"High marks: DeForest said Farden seems driven to improve over last season when he ranked second in Big 12 punting with 43.17 yards per attempt.
"He's averaging over 48 yards a kick in this camp and he's been as consistent and as long as he's ever been. He's worked really hard this summer and he has a goal. He wants to lead the nation. And that's all right with me," (special teams coach)DeForest said.
Teams score once every 30 possessions when starting inside the 20-yard line.
Each year, DeForest gives the special teams units a chart of NCAA stats. His favorite stat is teams score once every 30 possessions when starting inside the 20-yard line.
“That to me epitomizes how valuable Cole is,” DeForest said. “He’s so valuable on kickoffs, but he’s also one of the best punters in the nation. He’s our most valuable player for our defense.”
Coaches refer to field position as hidden yards. That’s where Farden, a senior from Grapevine, Texas, excels. Besides averaging 43.2 yards a punt last season, 73 percent of Farden’s kickoffs resulted in touchbacks.
(that clip was taken from a Daily Oklahoman article)
FG kicker is another question as SR. Luke Phillips was automatic from nearly all distances. All practices have been "closed" so this one is a tough one. Two freshman, one a rs and one a scholarship true freshman are battling for the position. The true frosh, Jason Ricks looks to have won the battle and he has a very strong leg, nailing 3 consective fg's of 45, 48, and 54 yards in live scrimmage action. STILL a HUGE concern for me is that aspect.
OSU has not fared well in openers and this is the third year in a row they have opened on the road.
UCLA---I'm sure there are plenty on here who can give a good rundown on them, I'm going to go into them very little.
They are beat all to hell on the defensive line and their linebackers are suffering nagging injuries. They have Perry, a great WR, and their qb is solid. If he doesn't get the job done, there's a juco guy who has proven to be a winner at all other levels...That's all you're getting there.
My outlook on the game is this:
OSU will dominate the line of scrimmage and time of possession. They will run nearly at will on UCLA but there will be mistakes by the freshman qb and other freshman contributers, and I won't be surpised to see them turn the ball over. Donovan Woods is great on his feet, but inconsistent in the air. His brother Dejuan will have a solid game replacing the oldest Woods brother Rashaun, and the TE will get some balls thrown his way. OSU will throw the ball deep early, and run some option, bootlegs, and draws. You won't see many short passes. The FB should get quite a few carries and there will be a lot of Vernand Morency. Depth after Morency is a concern as Jr. Seymore Shaw is beat up, and the rest of the players have little/no game experience. UCLA should be pretty even in the run/pass arena testing Oklahoma State early. The line is certainly a question for OSU and we'll just have to see how that goes.
My homerish prediction is OSU by 14-24 depending on if they turn the ball over and where...
They will certainly win outright and cover the spread...
I already stated I'm an osu guy but I know a TON about this team and the info I gave is FACT, not OPINION. My outcome statement is opinion, but the rest is FACT. I know the big 12 well and I think most people who have posted here for a few years know that.
Please, do your own homework on this game. It is worth it for you to take a look for yourself. Don't take my word for it, because I'm not paying your gambling debts, just trying to help you keep them down
Good luck all. I'll be posting more on the other big 12 games when I have time, but won't really be doing any writeups or anything at least until I've seen everyone live or conference play kicks in.
