Know Your Enemy: What Texas must do to beat Oklahoma State

By Adam Sweeney

Call me Ron Burgundy, if you wish, because last week’s 45-44 loss to California put me in a glass case of emotion. We witnessed the birth of a star quarterback in Jerrod Heard, who set a school record for total offense with 527 yards (364 passing, 163 rushing), and the stunning misfire of kicker Nick Rose on an extra point that would have tied the game near the end.

“Sometimes you bite the bar, and sometimes the bar bites you,” a wise man once said. But guess what? It’s a new week, and a new week means a new opponent: the 24th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-0).

It’s hard to gauge how talented this OSU team is. While the Cowboys are one of three FBS schools that ranks in the top 20[s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)] in scoring offense (41.7 points per game) and scoring defense (11.7 points per game), they also have done this against Central Michigan, Central Arkansas and Texas-San Antonio. Still, it would be foolish to underestimate head coach Mike Gundy’s team. After all, Cal hadn’t played anyone of merit before coming to Austin and putting up 45 points on the Longhorns.

How will Texas take down the ‘Pokes, and who should you be watching? We’ve got you covered. It’s time to “Know Your Enemy.”

Run, Run Rudolph

Texas isn’t the only Big 12 school with a young stud quarterback who displays veteran-like leadership. Oklahoma State sophomore Mason Rudolph ranks in the top 10 nationally in pass yards, yards per completion and yards per attempt. He also ranks 12th nationally in pass efficiency. Young quarterbacks often struggle with accuracy, but that isn’t a problem for Rudolph, who is 5-1 as a starter, has completed 111 of 176 passes in his early career for 1,800 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions, and he already has led the Cowboys to a win over Oklahoma last season — no small task.

Yes, 2018 is far away, but Rudolph projects to be a top NFL prospect — his ceiling is that high. Rudolph stands at 6-foot-4, weighs 220 pounds and fits the mold of the pro-style quarterback. He throws a beautiful and accurate deep ball. Last season, The Tulsa World charted his passes of 20-plus yards, and he completed 11-of-23 for 421 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. He was five-of-six on deep throws down the left side of the field and six-of-11 over the middle — that is scary-good for a freshman.

Rudolph would prefer to stay in the pocket, so the Texas defensive line must collapse inside and force him to throw on the run. He hasn’t made many mistakes this season, he’s a quick decision maker, and he can kill teams on play-action passes (which we’ll discuss more of in a second), so Texas must disrupt his rhythm.

Carson City

Oklahoma State made headlines when running back Chris Carson, a junior transfer from Butler Community College, stiff-armed Georgia in favor of the Cowboys. Gundy describes him as a slasher, and Carson — the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year — stated he wants to run for 1,000 yards and be a top-three back in the Big 12 in his first year in the conference. He currently averages 4.4 yards per carry, which isn’t breathtaking, but keep in mind that Texas’ run defense is ranked 119th nationally and gives up 240 yards per game. It stands to reason that Carson will gain the majority of OSU’s rushing yards, and the Cowboys will employ a balanced attack, which will open up passing lanes for Rudolph. Texas can live with small gains from Carson. What the Longhons can not accept or give up are big plays, which have been coming far too often against this young defense.

When it comes down to it, the ‘Horns will have to pick their poison. If they focus too much on the pass, there will be room for Carson to run. If they stack the box, an impossibility against the Cowboys, then you leave your defensive backs on islands. The best we can hope for is that the defensive line maintains gap discipline and that the entire defense makes tackles on the first contact with Carson.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, the 2014 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a 2015 Preseason All-Big 12 honoree, ranks 13th nationally in sacks and already has registered 3.5 this season. Last season, the 6-foot-4-inch, 275-pound junior pass rusher from from Lagos, Nigeria, finished with 17.0 tackles for loss and 11.0 sacks.

There is still room for him to improve in his technique, but Ogbah explodes through his blocker and is easily one of the best defensive linemen this young Texas offensive line will face this season. What is scary is his self-evaluation. ESPN asked Ogbah where he thinks he is in terms of maximizing his potential and Ogbah replied, “I’d give myself 60 percent. I still have more to give.”

Turn Down for What?

Something’s got to give in the turnover battle between Oklahoma State and Texas. Oklahoma State forced seven turnovers last week versus UTSA and ranks fourth nationally in turnover margin, while Texas ranks 16th overall.

Heard and the Texas offense have only coughed up the ball twice in the last two games. While OSU’s defensive performance last week stands out on paper, the Cowboys had generated only one turnover in the two games before that. Heard’s turnovers — an interception to close the half and a fumble when trying to pull the ball back on a pass attempt in the third quarter — came fast and furious, but he was cool when it counted at the end. OSU’s Rudolph has only thrown one interception, so this could be a very clean game, so much so that one turnover could make the difference in the battle.

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