Previewing Oklahoma State: A Look At The Cowboy Defense

Offensively the Oklahoma State Cowboys may be a bit overwhelming but defensively they at least appear to be less threatening. The Cowboys give up 26 points per game (6th in the Big 12) and more importantly may have a critical weakness particularly when matched up against Oklahoma's offense.

Against the run the Cowboys are fairly solid. They're allowing opponents to average a modest 3.7 yards per carry and a game average of 138.9 yards. Linebacker Orie Lemon makes a living cleaning up running backs by having good speed and taking good angles. 

Attacking this defense, initially, on the ground isn't a great idea but as aggressive as they are against the rush a play-action based game plan could be effective. Oklahoma's biggest threat is Ryan Broyles running free somewhere in the secondary. Play-action could help against a defense that already struggles against the pass. Opposing quarterbacks are completing almost 63% of their passes for an average of 258 yards per game.

Don't look for the Sooners to completely abandon the run but with OSU ranked 9th in the conference in passing defense the point of attack has to be through the air. Look for the bubble screens and sideline flares that we love so much to try and get the Cowboy safeties to move up a bit and the linebackers to move out. If that happens, then OU will have opportunity to both stretch the field through the air and run the ball. If the Cowboys don't move up and out then we're looking at short to mid-range passing all night.