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MSU’s Young Receiving Corps Gives Cowboys Chance for Aggression

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The Oklahoma State Cowboys will hold many clear advantages against Missouri State in their season opener, but one matchup that’s a little less clear is their secondary versus the Bears’ wide receiving corps. MSU has changed to more of a spread-based, up-tempo attack since the Cowboys have seen them last, and their receivers will face a unit that had an up-and-down season in 2017. Still, OSU’s secondary had some standout performances last year, including from starting cornerback A.J. Green, and the inclusion of players like graduate transfer Kemah Siverand should increase their depth.

Missouri State lost their top four receivers from 2017. Malik Earl, Erik Furmanek, Deion Holliman and Jalen Esters accounted for 78 percent of the Bears’ receiving yards last season, and their graduation pushes relatively inexperienced players into starting positions. MSU’s next two leading receivers, Lorenzo Thomas and Tyler Currie, totaled 12 receptions for 22 yards last year.

The only matchup issue that might ail the Cowboys are in two freshmen, Demoriea Vick, who graduated from Westmoore in Oklahoma City, and Ethan Swanegan. The two receivers are 6-3 and 6-5, respectively, and although they have yet to play in an official game, they’ll receive playing time. Starting quarterback Peyton Huslig said the depth gives the Bears an advantage and even said their corps is better than last year’s despite the inexperience.

Even with the size the Bears have at receiver, this will provide an excellent opportunity for the Cowboy secondary, and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, to test their aggression. One of the biggest themes coming out of this past offseason has been the shift in philosophy under Knowles, scrapping a passive or predominately conservative strategy for a more aggressive approach. That could mean more man-to-man coverage opportunities, creative coverages and blitz pairings for OSU’s defense.

This game gives Knowles a chance to test his secondary in a game with a relative low risk of losing. The Cowboys’ front holds a major advantage over the Bears’ offensive line, which has been shifting around players following the retirement of their starting left tackle. This should give OSU many third-and-long looks, which gives Knowles the perfect opportunity to tinker with pressure and packages designed to rush the passer. It wouldn’t make much sense to unload the full playbook in the season opener, especially against a clearly inferior team, but it’s still a major theme to follow throughout the season.

What are you looking for from the Cowboys’ defense in the season opener? Leave your opinions in the comments below!

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