OFFENSE * QB Josh Fields is only a sophomore, but he’s
played pretty well. He holds his own in the pocket and displays
good pocket presence. He’s not a scrambler, but after two
games, he hasn’t really had a need to be one, completing 60.8
percent of his passes thus far. * It’s a three-headed monster
at tailback consisting of Vern Morency, Seymore Shaw and Tatum
Bell. However, all three have been hindered by ankle injuries, and
Bell even had to sit out Oklahoma State’s first game against
Louisiana Tech. Morency, a 22-year-old freshman, has gotten the
most carries with 27 so far and leads the team with three rushing
touchdowns. * The receiving corps is the foundation of the Cowboy
offense and it is as deep and talented as they come. However, this
is a unit that has struggled considering preseason expectations –
with the very big exception of junior Rashaun Woods. The
6-foot-2-inch, 190-pounder is a sizeable target with breakaway
speed and UCLA will have its hands full with him. In two games, he
already has 19 catches for 301 yards and three touchdowns. With
John Lewis slowed by hamstring problems, Terrance Davis-Bryant and
Willie Young will have to step up. The tight end position is a
weakness, but sophomore Billy Bajema has good potential and good
size at 6 feet 5 inches, 240 pounds. He also runs the 40-yard dash
in 4.6 seconds. * The offensive line is a major concern for
Oklahoma State. While the tackles are experienced, the interior is
comprised of two redshirt freshmen and a sophomore. They have held
their own, however, against Louisiana Tech and Division I-AA
Northern Iowa, but UCLA’s defensive line should be their
first true test. Senior left tackle Kyle Eaton is the leader of the
line and should be receiving some Big 12 honors at the end of this
season. * Oklahoma State utilizes a variety of formations, but
their favorite is a four-wide receiver set that puts Woods on one
side and three receivers on the other side. The defense must choose
whether to double-team Woods (in which case, Fields will throw to
one of the three receivers on the other side of the field) or go
one-on-one with Woods (in which case, Fields throws his way).
DEFENSE * All four defensive line starters from last year return,
although defensive end Khreem Smith will be out with a knee sprain.
Smith has ten tackles and one sack in their two games, and without
him, tackle LaWaylon Brown and end Greg Richmond will have to
continue their stellar play. * Senior Terrence Robinson leads the
linebacking corps, but while Robinson is arguably the leader of the
defense, there is little depth behind him. In fact, on the depth
chart, Robinson is the only player who is not a freshman. * The
secondary is a little confusing and difficult to figure out. They
are talented and deep, but were scorched for 448 passing yards by
Louisiana Tech. Safeties Chris Massey, who leads the team with 13
tackles, and Elbert Craig, who had two interceptions last week, are
solid and make big plays, and cornerback Darrent Williams also had
two picks last week. Only a sophomore, Williams is quickly
developing a reputation as a shutdown corner. The unit is
experienced, with six returning players overall. * The Cowboys like
to run a 4-2-5 defensive formation, utilizing three safeties and
two cornerbacks. This defense is designed to hamper a passing
attack, which makes Louisiana Tech’s 448 yards all the more
amazing and bewildering. SPECIAL TEAMS * For the second straight
week, the Bruins face a team whose special teams are among the best
in the nation. Placekicker Luke Phillips regularly sends kickoffs
into the end zone and is very consistent from 50 yards in. Chris
Massey led the nation in kickoff returns with his 34.8 return yard
average, and Terrence Bryant-Davis is among the best in the nation
in punt returns. Cole Farden handles the punting duties. BY THE
NUMBERS 17: The number of starters that the Cowboys have returning
this year, exemplifying the experience of the team MARQUEE MATCHUP
UCLA CB Ricky Manning vs. OSU WR Rashaun Woods: UCLA’s
All-Pac-10 corner takes on the Cowboys’ Biletnikoff
contender. Last week, Manning had five tackles and a vicious hit
that forced a fumble. Meanwhile, Woods topped his 126-yard
performance from the first week with a 175-yard performance last
week. X-FACTORS The forecast for Saturday calls for 80 degree
temperatures with scattered thunderstorms. Whichever offense is
able to move the ball in spite of the adverse weather should be
able to put itself in a prime position to win. THREE KEYS TO
VICTORY 1. Do better on special teams. It’s hard to believe
UCLA could do any worse than last week, but Colorado State never
scored a touchdown, while Oklahoma State kickoff returner Chris
Massey is a threat to go the distance each time he touches the
ball. 2. Contain Rashaun Woods. It’s easier said than done,
but Woods can completely take over a game. While highly-touted
entering the season, the other receivers have yet to prove
themselves, and none of them have Woods’ gamebreaking
ability. 3. Pop the pocket. The offensive line is inexperienced
aside from tackles Jason Russell and Eaton, and Fields is a pure
pocket passer. He is very efficient if given the time to throw and
look for targets. UCLA will need to pressure him because he
doesn’t like to run.
BOTTOM LINE Oklahoma State is very much a pass-oriented team,
despite its tailback-by-committee approach. Still, the Cowboys have
yet to play a truly tough team, and they should have beaten
Louisiana Tech, as they held a 36-18 lead late in the third
quarter. Look for UCLA to be much improved from their season opener
and to win one going away in Stillwater, OK.