ISU @ OU
Iowa State is saying all the right things concerning their
demeanor about their biggest upset in their programs history—defeating the then
#2 OSU in double OT, but I am not so sure it is real. Mindset bodes large in any competitive sport;
probably moreso in football.
ISU ran into a great situation, that a few of us predicted—and
cashed tickets on the OU @ ISU upset (not that I had a ISU ML ticket, I mean I
am not freaking crazy enough to put my money on a 1 in 200 chance unless I was
getting a +2200 line (or better). I did
see ISU staying within the +26.5 pts.
Why? Because of the exact
situation that OSU was in--#2 in the nation, taking their high flying offense
into ISU house for a trivial ‘go through the motions’, get the easy addition to
the left column, and then on to the real upcoming games vs. Baylor and even
moreso vs OSU. They lost two of their ‘family
members’ that morning in a plane crash (OSU women’s BB coach Kurt Budke & his
assistant coach Miranda Serna). Whether
the OSU coaches admit it or not (not), they were thinking of anything but ISU—and
mediocre program plagued with O and D line injuries (the heart of any football
team). The point is that ISU has under
gone a dramatic shift in self-image; they see themselves as a top tier
program. Confidence is great, and
necessary in competitive sports, but so is reality. ISU went into the OU game with a chip on
their shoulder hearing all of the media buzz about the upcoming matchup between
OU and OSU, as if ISU did not exsist.
ISU played ‘above their ability, OSU played below theirs = upset in the
making. Now ISU is looking behind
themselves—holding the nation’s 15th
ranked offense to just 7 pts (but that ranking is mostly due to TT’s early
season production—averaging 45.8 ppg in their first 5 gms, but only 15 ppg in
their last 4 gms). The 3rd gm
of their current win streak was against 74th ranked Kansas.
The next question, with a possible Big 12 championship on
the line; will OU be focused enough vs ISU?
Absolutely! They see how
underestimating ISU can be deadly to a top tier teams goals. I would bet that ISU is all Bobby Stoops is
thinking about. ISU will not be
underestimated, ISU is a little cocky (based on some of the press interviews I
have read/heard/seen over the last week.
Now it is the Underdog who is a tad bit overconfident and looking at their
upcoming bowl possibilities, and Jared
Barnett’s Manning award this week. OU
needs a decisive victory, and I don’t see a point that would make Stoops let
off the gas regardless of how big of a lead they have in this game. OU’s team is mentally kicking themselves for
blowing their shot at a National title shot following OSU’s defeat. OU’s team needs this win, and they will get
it convincingly.
OU’s loss of All American star receiver Ryan Broyles will be
covered quite well by one of the best unknown WR’s in college football today
(my opinion) Jaz Reynolds. Roy Finch has
performed well since OU lost starting RB Dominique Whaley for the season a few
weeks ago. Finch has averaged 5.1 ypc on 52 carries for 267 yds. Landry Jones will have a stellar day, wear
out ISU’s defense and ISU Rookie QB Jared Barnett will come down to earth in OU’s
house today.
Stats / rankings really are less important in capping this
game; ISU is beat up and substantially less focus that OU in this game. ISU will, at-best, slow down OU for the first
quarter, but then will get a dose of reality soon after. OU’s defense has been embarrassed last week, and
I look for them to ‘man up’ in this game to prove a point.
I have this game capped @ 56-20 OU
PLAY #13: OU -28.5
FOR 3 U’s 
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