Keys To Ok State

Here is the key matchups that I have identified for the Cougs heading into Saturday's game.

Key Matchups
1. Cougar Defense vrs QB Zac Robinson. Robinson is the real deal, throwing for 2,824 yards, 23 TD's with only 9 picks last year. He also rushed for over 800 yards and 9 TD's. We all know the story with the Cougar defense from last season. They finished near the bottom in the nation in pass defense allowing 255 yards per game. However, almost everyone returns for this defense and while thin at DT expect better things from the secondary. If the ends can contain Robinson from running and the secondary can just hold their own, WSU has a shot to win.
2. Brandon Gibson vrs CB Jacob Lacey. Gibson is expecting bigtime things this year coming off of his 1,180 yard and 9 TD performance last year. Lacey is experienced but probably can't take Gibson on his own so expect double teams all day long. This should open up some routes for Michael Willis or Jared Karstetter. The OSU defense was worse than WSU's last season, so if the Cougs want to win they need to take full advantage of their playmaker on offense.
3. Cougar Specials Teams vrs Themselves. The media, the coach and even the players themselves have been unhappy with how the Special Teams have gone this fall camp. Expect Reid Forrest as the punter. I imagine he won't be doing the rugby dash to his right this year though. Also, expect Wade Penner to be the new kicker but Nico Grasu could step in if he struggles. Field goals have been a disaster in camp and punting/kickoffs weren't good last year. On the return side of kicks WSU ranked 94th in punt return and 97th in kick return last season. So who knows what to expect. If Specials Teams end up being a disaster it could end up costing us this game as well as many more this season.