Ok St. -13 v. Miss St. is one of the wagers that I am considering in week 1. It is on a neutral field at Reliant in Houston, at night, on national tv. The honor of the Big XII will be up against the perceived dominance of the SEC. Something has to give... This is how I think this game will play out based on my research to date. I will appreciate the constructive takes of all covers.com contributors...
I have analyzed the talent levels between the teams (4 and 5 star recruits) and it is pretty even. Miss St does lose all of their starting skill WR's and DB's. I think Miss St get's a "slight" advantage in the O and D lines. Ok St has some strong Linebackers and Ok St has two QB's who could play in the NFL one day.
Mullen has done a great job taking over from Croom. Gundy is a maverick who constantly turns over coordinators, alienated college football watchers with the Lunt Tr Limitation fiasco, and seems to come across as a Kiffen, who actually wins games and is respected. I think with all the SEC v Big XII smack going on out there, Gundy will start scoring early, and not stop until 2 minutes left in the 4th. Ok St's D was suspect last year, but Gundy canned the DC, promoted a LB coach and the Defense has adopted a more aggressive style. I think Mullen did the same. Therefore, I see a lot of turnovers, and well as a lot of blown coverages and long TD's for both teams.
From what I recall from Miss St bowl with NW, NW dominated the first half. Miss St scored some points in chump time. And that was with Bumpus et al and two early round draft picks in the secondary.
From my perspective, Ok St will score early via 75 yard drive. Miss St will answer by trying to utilize its stout line and RB experience to sustain a time eating drive. I think Ok St will stop them, on about the 50, Miss St will punt, and Ok St will march down the field, praying on the talented but inexperienced Miss St secondary. I think Ok St will go up 14-0 at the end of the 1st. Then Miss St, gets going, sustains a drive, cuts it to 14-7. Ok St gets going, drives down, kicks a field goal, 17-7. Miss St then sustains a long drive, and kicks a field goal. Ok St finishes the half with a long drive and scores a TD with 1 minute left in the half to go up 24-10. Miss St gets the ball the start the 2nd half, drives, down, but is stopped, punts, Ok St drives down scores, goes up 31-10. Miss St gets the ball drives down, scores. 31-17. Ok St gets the ball, has to punt. Miss St gets the ball, 2 series, then punts. The 3rd quarter ends. Ok St drives down to start the 4th and scores. 38-17. Miss St gets the ball, 3 series, goes for it on 4th down, does not make it. Ok St takes over on downs. Drives down, scores a TD, Ok St 45-17. Miss St. gets the ball, hurry up, sustains a drive and scores, 45-24. Miss St onside kicks, effort fails, Ok St takes over. Drives down the field. Game Ends.
Ok St 45
Miss St 24
I know some will say that is too much scoring allowed for a SEC Team, but I challenge by saying that Ok St is one of the most prolific offenses in the country, and though Miss St has a SEC mid tier D, they will give up some points. Both Ok St and Miss St will be playing an aggressive D, which I believe may result in a number of blown defensive plays and points off turnovers...
What do you guys think?