SB Nation User Blog: rptgwb

Oct. 11 National Thread

rptgwb — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:59:51 -0000

OSU/Mizzou isn't on until later and there are all kinds of important games on until then. What'll you be following? Consider this your official "Red River Shootout Open Thread." The official OSU/Mizzou thread will launch two-and-a-half hours prior to kickoff.

BIG 12 GAMES

VS.

Oklahoma (-7) vs. Texas
11:00 a.m., ABC (HD)

VS.

Colorado at Kansas (-14)
11:30 a.m., ESPN2 (HD)

VS.

Kansas State (-3.5) at Texas A&M
1:00 p.m., no TV announced

VS.

Nebraska at Texas Tech (-21.5)
2:00 p.m., FSN (HD)

VS.

Iowa State at Baylor (-4.0)
6:00 p.m., FCS Central

While I'm here, I've got to send a MAJOR shoutout to my alma mater, Coppell High School, who upset Southlake Carroll in double overtime last night, snapping Southlake's 38-game district winning streak since moving to Class 5A in 2002. Many, many touchdown handshakes to my hometown Cowboys.

NATIONAL GAMES OF INTEREST

Arizona State at USC (-25.5)
2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN

Michigan State (-3) at Northwestern
2:30 p.m., ESPN2 (HD)

Notre Dame at North Carolina (-7)
2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN

Tennessee at Georgia (-13)
2:30 p.m., CBS (HD)

LSU at Florida (-4.5)
7:00 p.m., (You shouldn't be watching)

Penn State (-5) at Wisconsin
7:00 p.m., (You shouldn't be watching)

For Celebrity Jeopardy fans

rptgwb — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:27:51 -0000

For Celebrity Jeopardy fans

BHGP has you covered.

Pokes Pride goes "Inside the Match-Up"

rptgwb — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:10:32 -0000

Pokes Pride goes "Inside the Match-Up"

An OSU look at how things stack up this Saturday.

Gary Pinkel and... Nick Saban?

rptgwb — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:44:33 -0000

Gary Pinkel and... Nick Saban?

The Tuscaloosa News explains.

ESPN's Chase and Chase Feature

rptgwb — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:14:45 -0000

ESPN's Chase and Chase Feature

You've seen the cover. Here's the story.

Crossfire: Oklahoma State Q&A

rptgwb — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:35:12 -0000

For a better look at Oklahoma State, we turned to one of the blogosphere's newest additions: Pokes Pride. Here's what Pokes Pride had to say about the Cowboys and how they matchup with Mizzou this weekend.

RMN: Just exactly how good is this OSU team? Is it hard to judge OSU from playing the likes of struggling Wazzou and Texas A&M teams?

PP: Good Question. We will find that out when we play a more talented team (Saturday). I do believe it's a little hard to tell how good we are when we've played horrid teams in A&M, MSU and WSU. Our offense has been steamrolling teams all year but then again, didn't Cal drop 66 on Wazzou? I'm not trying to say that our offense isn't good enough because they are extremely talented, but we have yet to play a stronger defensive team. As for our defense, they are starting to create more turnovers and pressure the quarterback. However, our run defense still needs a lot of improvement.

RMN: Much like Mizzou, OSU is putting up eye-popping offensive numbers. Obviously, Hunter, Toston, Bryant and Robinson are all great players, but what is the key to slowing down the Pokes' offense?

PP: Stopping the run should be the only concern for Mizzou. We are 2nd in the nation with 315 rush yards/game so If they can stop the run, they will take away our offense. Our passing game hasn't been the same since last year (that might have something to do with our stronger running game). Dez Bryant has basically been the only receiver thrown to all year, so if he is covered, there is not much we can do through the air, unless Pettigrew plays.

RMN: As we've harped on many times at RMN, the only shot teams have against Mizzou's offense is to create pressure with the front four. What should we expect from OSU's defensive line?

PP: The weakest part of our defense has been our D-Line. I have no idea what Gundy's plan is on getting to Daniel, but it better be a good one. Our pass defense has actually been pretty good so far but Maclin scares me. He could have a HUGE day.

(More questions plus a prediction after the jump)

RMN: OSU has run the ball well, while Mizzou has stopped the run pretty effectively despite struggling against the pass at times. How do you expect Oklahoma State's offense to attack Mizzou?

PP: Missouri has done a pretty good job stopping the run thus far; however, Illinois, Nevada, SEMO and Buffalo don't have any talent in their backfield. Not to doubt Missouri's rushing defense or anything, but they have not proven anything yet. I think Gundy will try and establish a strong rushing attack early to keep the defense on their heels. If Hunter and Toston are able to run the ball effectively, they will empower a pretty dangerous play-action, which we have used all year. Whatever they do, the Pokes need to consume a large amount of the clock so they can keep Daniel & Co. off the field as long as possible.

RMN: What's the general feeling you're getting from OSU players and fans about this game?

PP: The general feeling around Stillwater has been pretty optimistic for the most part. We all know that Mizzou is one of the best teams in the country; however, every fan here believes that we have the capability of pulling off the upset. We are all expecting a lot from our Pokes on Saturday but at the same time, we don't want to get our hopes up.

RMN: Finish the following phrases:

PP:

- Mizzou will win if: Their defense doesn't allow OSU to get off to a strong start. They can't just simply overlook OSU.
- Oklahoma State will win if: Their defense can get to/contain Chase Daniel and prevent Washington from having a huge day. Their offense needs to continue to produce and at the same time minimize turnovers.

RMN: Finally, give us your prediction for Saturday night's game.

PP: Missouri 48, Oklahoma State 31

RMN: Bonus question! Erin Andrews will be in Columbia on Saturday. On a scale of 1-10, how jealous are you?

Well, I'm not sure. Depending on the day, Stacey Dales is pretty fine herself. I'd say a 7 though anyways because Andrews is a fox...

WOW... The Maneater turns up this photo of Derrick Washington's running lane. That's at least four...

rptgwb — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:13:48 -0000

WOW...

The Maneater turns up this photo of Derrick Washington's running lane. That's at least four or five Manginos wide.

MU Basketball picked seventh

rptgwb — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:29:18 -0000

MU Basketball picked seventh

Mizzou gets picked to finish ahead of Kansas State, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Iowa State and Colorado in the Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll

Hey Okie State!

rptgwb — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:23:46 -0000

You're next.

(Photo Courtesy Joel Kowsky, MUTigers.com)

Dave Matter: MU/UT on ABC

rptgwb — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:32:04 -0000

Dave Matter: MU/UT on ABC

I've been prowling the Big 12 site waiting for news all day, but according to Dave Matter of the Columbia Daily Tribune, ABC is flexing its six-day window option for Mizzou/Texas on Oct. 18. Gametime, which will be announced one week from now, will be either 2:30 or 7:00 p.m.