Five Burning Questions with Cowboys Ride For Free

Nov 10, 2012; Stillwater OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys players stand together after the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Rowe-US PRESSWIRE

As Bedlam week rolls on, it is time to get some perspective from the enemy. Helping me out this time is Bryan King, who writes for SB Nation’s Cowboys Ride For Free. So without any further delay, here are King’s responses (in italics) to my five burning questions heading in to Saturday’s match-up with the Pokes.

1. How do you explain Clint Chelf’s success in his two starts? Are the Cowboys that deep or is it the system?
I’m going to go with both. For one, Chelf has been in the system two plus years now, so he has the most experience with it. I still think there is a reason he fell to 3rd, but at the same time I don’t think there is a big drop off after any player. Also, he the most mature, should be the most in shape, and has the most knowledge of the team. However, Tech under Leach was pretty much plug and play, so we have some of that going on. Weak answer, I know, but I think it’s truly both. Recruit players that fit your system, and you’ll always have success.

2. What do you see as the biggest challenge for Oklahoma State heading in to this game against OU?
What I’m the most concerned about is the OU secondary. Chelf will need to make good reads to avoid getting picked off repeatedly, and he hasn’t had to do that yet. We may try and take them out of the equation and abuse the linebackers over the middle, but given the chance and an errant pass Javon Harris and Tony Jefferson can make him pay for it.

3. Which player on Oklahoma State may surprise some Sooner fans who might’ve overlooked him?
Thats really a tough question, as we’ve had to play so many players on offense this year there a really no surprises left there. Senior Isaiah Anderson had a career game last weekend after flying under the radar the entire season, going off for 170 yards and 3 TD’s, on 4 catches, accounting for more than half of his yards the whole year. On the defensive side of the ball sophomore Ryan Simmons has been having a good season as a backup.

4. Does Norman really scare Pokes anymore considering OU has dropped two home games, a place where they naturally play some of their best football?
I had answered the second question by saying I the biggest challenge was playing in Norman, until I saw this question, so yeah, I am still scared of Norman. The biggest advantage this group has, is the fact they don’t have a bad history in Norman to think about. I’ve been to a couple Bedlam games in Norman, and it is, by a wide margin, the most miserable experience I’ve had at a sporting event. I can only imagine what it’s like for the players (nobody likes having cups of dip spit and piss hurled at them), so it will be interesting to see how they respond.

5. What will happen Saturday?
This is a toughie, so I’m going to give you two scenarios: In the first the Cowboy’s control the line of scrimmage on offense, get off to a quick start getting up a score or two, and then settle in to a battle pulling out the 42-40 victory. In the second the opposite happens, we start slow, carry a close game into the first half, and then get worked like a ditch digger in the second half and lose 45-30. Being a homer, I’m going with the first one, Pokes win a close one 42-38.

Bonus Question: What is your favorite Cowboy uniform combo?
As to my favorite combination I’ve don’t think we’ve worn the one I came up with on the uni-maker that I like the most—black helmet, white jersey, black pants. As for the one’s we’ve actually worn, the black helmet orange jersey black pants from last years Bedlam game was pretty sweet.

Thanks to Bryan for the responses, and in return I answered a few questions for him, which will be up on Cowboys Ride For Free soon.