The passage of time hasn’t ceased to amaze me this season. Cannot believe how quickly we’ve gotten here. This one did not live up to the pre-season expectations that I had for it, really though this would be a pretty meaningful game for both sides, but it’s the opposite. Let’s jump into what I’m expecting from the Cowboys tomorrow.
The Former Red Raider
We’ve finally reached the day. Alan Bowman plays his former school, a day that I didn’t think would get here based on Tech and Oklahoma State not meeting one another in 2023, but it did.
Bowman hasn’t changed a ton, a player with inconsistent arm talent and accuracy largely stemming from his throwing mechanics and athleticism. Obviously, he is a very good-sized QB who has a ton of experience, but it’s just not been there this season.
He has been turnover prone this season with 12 interceptions, having thrown at least one in every game against FBS competition this season with just three of those interceptions coming under pressure.
Bowman has been the least pressured quarterback in the country that has taken 50-percent of his team’s snaps this season with just 51 pressures but has just completed 59-percent of his passes this year.
There is ultimately a reason he is still in college and a reason that OSU has tried to move on from him during the season, it just hasn’t worked out in 2024, and the Tech defense will need to keep it as more of the same this week.
Strong Skill
This group is pretty impressive, although the leader probably isn’t what he was a season ago.
Ollie Gordon was one of, if not the best, running backs in the country coming into the season and while he hasn’t had the type of season that he expected to have coming into the year, he is still a good player. A large part of that is teams not respecting the OSU passing game, loading the box. 511 of Gordon’s 696 yards have been after contact.
Gordon’s vision has taken a step back this season and he hasn’t been as dynamic of an accelerator but those are still his strengths while lacking power and drive when getting tackled. Pretty interesting but Tech’s linebackers will have their hands full to tackle him this week due to his short area quickness.
The receivers have been limited by their quarterback with a really impressive player out of the slot. Not my pick for the best one in this game, but Brennan Presley is the all-time leading receiver at OSU who is a shifty and a very good route runner. He is the one to watch on money downs and in the red-zone.
I am personally a big fan of outside WR De’Zhaun Stribling, who has popped 20+ mph plenty this season while being a good route runner and a good catcher of the football but lacks refinement with his feet at release while getting away with it due to his speed.
Trench Play
This group has been all over the place this season. I think that they’ve been passable in the passing game but similar to Tech’s offensive line, they’ve been a disaster as a group run blocking, leading to the drop in production from Gordon.
The LT Isaia Glass has been pretty poor this year, especially in pass protection. I do not believe he has the length to play tackle, and he’s been beat up in pass pro because of it.
The best one is likely the brother of the Red Raider center, the RG Preston Wilson who sees the field very well and has a very good anchor, helping keep the pocket clean for Bowman.
Defense
Statistically, this is one of the worst groups in the country. 132nd in yards allowed per game, 132nd in rushing yards allowed per game and 118th in passing yards allowed per game.
The front four is a rotation of eight players, four at DE and four at DT. None of which are excellent players, but a couple of them standout to me.
DT Iman Oates (99) has good lengthy and size while possessing good movement skills while the best-looking DE is Jaleel Johnson (95) who has great size and length but lacks some athleticism while logging a team-high 14.8% pressure rate this season. I’m not expecting to see Collin Oliver, who has a Senior Bowl Invite, to play, been hurt for most of the year with something on his right leg, but if he does, look out.
Another expected absence for OSU is LB Nick Martin, who is probably their best one when healthy. Expect Jeff Roberson to be there in his place who is not a great coverage player but is good coming downhill.
Kendal Daniels has great length for his LB/Overhang position and is used as a coverage player primarily. Not a great tackler when asked to come into the box, so Tech could pick on him a bit with heavier personnel packages.
The secondary hasn’t produced great results but CB Korie Black and SAF Trey Rucker are the best two for the Cowboys.
Founded by a Red Raider, All Hands Craft Cocktails is proud to announce their partnership with RedRaiderSports.com. Try these bar strength, ready-to-drink vodka cocktails at Jones AT&T Stadium this football season or find them at a retailer near you. Cheers.
@ALL HANDS
The Former Red Raider
We’ve finally reached the day. Alan Bowman plays his former school, a day that I didn’t think would get here based on Tech and Oklahoma State not meeting one another in 2023, but it did.
Bowman hasn’t changed a ton, a player with inconsistent arm talent and accuracy largely stemming from his throwing mechanics and athleticism. Obviously, he is a very good-sized QB who has a ton of experience, but it’s just not been there this season.
He has been turnover prone this season with 12 interceptions, having thrown at least one in every game against FBS competition this season with just three of those interceptions coming under pressure.
Bowman has been the least pressured quarterback in the country that has taken 50-percent of his team’s snaps this season with just 51 pressures but has just completed 59-percent of his passes this year.
There is ultimately a reason he is still in college and a reason that OSU has tried to move on from him during the season, it just hasn’t worked out in 2024, and the Tech defense will need to keep it as more of the same this week.
Strong Skill
This group is pretty impressive, although the leader probably isn’t what he was a season ago.
Ollie Gordon was one of, if not the best, running backs in the country coming into the season and while he hasn’t had the type of season that he expected to have coming into the year, he is still a good player. A large part of that is teams not respecting the OSU passing game, loading the box. 511 of Gordon’s 696 yards have been after contact.
Gordon’s vision has taken a step back this season and he hasn’t been as dynamic of an accelerator but those are still his strengths while lacking power and drive when getting tackled. Pretty interesting but Tech’s linebackers will have their hands full to tackle him this week due to his short area quickness.
The receivers have been limited by their quarterback with a really impressive player out of the slot. Not my pick for the best one in this game, but Brennan Presley is the all-time leading receiver at OSU who is a shifty and a very good route runner. He is the one to watch on money downs and in the red-zone.
I am personally a big fan of outside WR De’Zhaun Stribling, who has popped 20+ mph plenty this season while being a good route runner and a good catcher of the football but lacks refinement with his feet at release while getting away with it due to his speed.
Trench Play
This group has been all over the place this season. I think that they’ve been passable in the passing game but similar to Tech’s offensive line, they’ve been a disaster as a group run blocking, leading to the drop in production from Gordon.
The LT Isaia Glass has been pretty poor this year, especially in pass protection. I do not believe he has the length to play tackle, and he’s been beat up in pass pro because of it.
The best one is likely the brother of the Red Raider center, the RG Preston Wilson who sees the field very well and has a very good anchor, helping keep the pocket clean for Bowman.
Defense
Statistically, this is one of the worst groups in the country. 132nd in yards allowed per game, 132nd in rushing yards allowed per game and 118th in passing yards allowed per game.
The front four is a rotation of eight players, four at DE and four at DT. None of which are excellent players, but a couple of them standout to me.
DT Iman Oates (99) has good lengthy and size while possessing good movement skills while the best-looking DE is Jaleel Johnson (95) who has great size and length but lacks some athleticism while logging a team-high 14.8% pressure rate this season. I’m not expecting to see Collin Oliver, who has a Senior Bowl Invite, to play, been hurt for most of the year with something on his right leg, but if he does, look out.
Another expected absence for OSU is LB Nick Martin, who is probably their best one when healthy. Expect Jeff Roberson to be there in his place who is not a great coverage player but is good coming downhill.
Kendal Daniels has great length for his LB/Overhang position and is used as a coverage player primarily. Not a great tackler when asked to come into the box, so Tech could pick on him a bit with heavier personnel packages.
The secondary hasn’t produced great results but CB Korie Black and SAF Trey Rucker are the best two for the Cowboys.
Founded by a Red Raider, All Hands Craft Cocktails is proud to announce their partnership with RedRaiderSports.com. Try these bar strength, ready-to-drink vodka cocktails at Jones AT&T Stadium this football season or find them at a retailer near you. Cheers.
@ALL HANDS
