PFB Roundtable: Discussing Bedlam Predictions and Predicting OSU’s Gameplan

The biggest game of Oklahoma State’s season is one day away. With the No. 5 Sooners coming in to take on the 11th-ranked Cowboys on Saturday, OSU has a chance to course-correct its Bedlam woes of the past with a win in the inaugural season under Lincoln Riley.

The PFB team discusses the game’s implications, what we expect from both teams, and concerns going into the game.

Kyle Boone: What is your biggest concern about OSU going into Saturday?

Kyle Cox: Other than the blanket statement of “Gundy’s Bedlam coaching style”? I would be concerned if OSU fell behind early. I think OSU needs to score quickly. Don’t defer if you win the toss. Go out there and get 7 before they do. Oh yeah and special teams. That’s three things.

Justin Southwell: Cochran vs. Okoronkwo

Adam Lunt:  Offensive gameplan. Can Mike Yurcich put something together to take advantage of OU’s defensive weaknesses?

Boone: For me I think it’s special teams. If it comes down to the final minutes in the 4th quarter, I flat out don’t trust the kicking game. And I think OU can rely on that more than OSU.

Nick Welch:  What worries me most is OSU’s defense against Baker. Historically, OSU has not been great at containing legitimate dual threat quarterbacks. Can the OSU defense step up and limit OU’s zone read?

Hayden Barber: No one is making a big enough concern about how Big 12 defenses have started to defend the Oklahoma State offense. Mason Rudolph hasn’t thrown for 300 yards since Texas Tech(!) Before the game in Austin, the last time Rudolph didn’t throw for three bills was … Bedlam. Also in the past two games, Rudolph has put together his most inefficient games of 2017. And contrary to what you might think, the run game hasn’t gotten any better either. In the first six games, OSU averaged 199.5 yards per game on the ground. In the past two: 196.

Boone: What is the matchup that you think will play the biggest factor in deciding the outcome?

Lunt: OU OL vs. OSU DL. I have a lot of confidence in the Oklahoma State DL, however OU has a few pros on their OL. The DL has a lot on their plate this week, stopping a strong running game and keeping contain on a QB that makes a living on plays outside of the pocket.

Cox: Quarterback to Back. Shameless plug but this game should come down to the two stars. If OSU is going to win it will undoubtedly be on the arm of Rudolph.

Boone: This one I think comes down to OSU’s offensive line vs. OU’s d-line. If OSU can get a good push up front and establish a respectable run game early, it will open up the playbook for deep shots.

Welch:  I think it has to be OSU’s O-Line vs OU’s D-Line. If the OSU line can give Rudolph enough time in the pocket, the pokes should have no problem throwing for 300+ yards against a mediocre OU secondary. If not, it could be a long day.

Southwell: I know more weight is on the line (pun intended) but for the sake of variety, I’ll say A.J. Green vs. CeeDee Lamb. If CeeDee gets locked down, we’re golden.

Hayden: These teams are built so similarly that it’s hard to pick just one matchup that will have the biggest impact, but if Rudolph can’t throw it past the safeties, I have huge concerns that the OSU offense won’t be able to consistently string together 10-play, 80-yard drives.

Boone: Do you think Rudolph being slightly dinged up from last week (where he didn’t practice) will play a factor in the game and OSU’s gameplan?

Southwell: Well if he got hurt in the Texas game, it didn’t seem like he was injured when it mattered most. He was still able to fling it. Now it really matters most. I don’t think it will play a factor.

Cox: That depends on how much he’s still dinged up. According to he and his head coach, he’s fine but I don’t know how much stock you can put in Gundy’s injury reports. If he isn’t able to throw downfield with velocity, OSU may be doomed. But he seemed healthy enough in M-Town.

Lunt: Yes, absolutely. It’s noticeable he can’t drive the football like he normally is able to. Hopefully another week off from throwing will help. It will impact the gameplan if he’s still dinged up.

Welch:  I think Rudolph is locked in and mentally prepared for this game. Mason knows the playbook forward and back and knows how to manage a game. I think he’ll be fine.

Hayden: Rudolph (I think) is fine. There didn’t seem to be any residual effect on him in Morgantown. He practiced this week – or at least was in uniform – and even if he is still sore, Mike Yurcich would be foolish to change his plan significantly in this most important game of the season.

With teams pulling safeties back like punt returners every game, there is no reason OSU shouldn’t be able to run it. Justice said he is healthy, and J.D. just looks like a king. But if OU’s defense has a strength, it is the front seven. Rudolph will definitely throw it more than the Cowboys will run it, but the difference could be anywhere from five to 15 more throws.

Boone: Assuming he is healthy, what is OSU’s gameplan? Ground and pound with the law firm of Justice & King? Or air it out until the cows come home?

Southwell: Balanced attack. Maybe a little more bent toward the run game if OSU is up a score or two.

Cox: I think we see the same run-pass option we’ve seen a lot. The Cowboys will run the ball Saturday, I have no doubt. If Stoops goes 3-man, try to make them pay but you can do that without three draw plays and punt. Those possessions can’t happen.

Boone:  To win you will need to do a mixture of both. Creating a vertical passing attack is critical, to do that you need to have a run threat. Balance is king.

Welch: OSU will have to establish both to win this game. Eventually, I see OSU going more through the air this game but Yurcich will need to show at least a serviceable run game to prevent gameplans shown from TCU and Texas.

Boone: Final Q: OSU wins, do they plant the flag? If so, who does it?

Southwell: No. The only guy I could see actually doing that is Tyron. Especially with the Twitter beef with Baker. But I’ll say no. Gundy will dance, though.

Boone: Yeah … I think you’re right. But I would pay all the moneys to watch Ramon plant it.

Welch:  Gosh that would be amazing. I would love it to be Rudolph, but I could totally see Ramon Richards, who in this scenario had a great defensive game, planting the flag. Just imagine the t-shirt sales at Chris’ if that happens, wow.

Lunt:  No. Why would you plant a flag on a field that already has your logo on it? Plant a flag at Murphy’s.

Cox: I say no. I wouldn’t be against it but it’s kind of weird to do at home. But if OSU wins, Ramon can drag a karaoke machine onto Lewis Field and serenade the student section for all I care.

Hayden: If OSU wins, there is about as high a chance of a player planting the flag as me breaking 80 on the golf course. But if someone planted the flag, it would unequivocally be Tyron. ?