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Friday, December 13, 2002
No. 8 Oklahoma
at No. 3 Kansas State
By Will Weiss
BCSfootball.com
Break out the calculators, folks.
On Saturday, the nation's two highest-scoring offenses go at it in Manhattan, Kan. Last week, there was the Red River Shootout in Dallas. With the unlimited potential for points, the Plains States Shootout might be a good name for the game between No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 3 Kansas State (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET). Whatever you call it, it has all the makings of a barnburner.
|  | | Andre Woolfolk and Oklahoma enjoyed a successful day against Texas. |
The connections between the two schools are well-documented. Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops was a former Kansas State assistant, as were three other current OU assistants: defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, co-defensive coordinator Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Mark Mangino.
There's an old saying that familiarity breeds contempt, but in this instance, Bob Stoops disagrees.
"As a staff, I think there's mutual respect," the second-year head coach said. "I've always said I loved my time there."
He's loving his time in Norman, too.
Oklahoma is brimming with confidence after dominating Texas 63-14, its first win over the Longhorns since 1996. Senior quarterback Josh Heupel led the Sooners to scores on their first five possessions, and sophomore tailback Quentin Griffin set a school record with six rushing touchdowns.
Oklahoma's defense made Major Applewhite look minor as well, forcing three turnovers and holding Texas to 154 yards of offense. But Texas' offense is nowhere near the caliber of K-State's.
Kansas State has an offense that comes at you from every which way. The Wildcats run option, throw short, throw long, have backs that pound and backs that slash. They also have depth at the skill positions, making it impossible for opposing defenses to isolate anyone.
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ABC analyst Gary Danielson:
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The fascinating thing about Bob Stoops and Bill Snyder is that both of them came through Iowa, and watched Hayden Fry rebuild the Hawkeyes into a national power. Fry acted as a godfather to both Stoops and Snyder, who have built their programs in the same manner as Fry: scheduling weak non-conference opponents, getting the backups ready, preparing the entire team for the big portion of the schedule, and not losing any players. The formula has worked.
Both teams have evolved -- built around speed, defense and athletes. It's their offenses, though, that have separated themselves from everyone else. K-State's is a big play offense, with Jonathan Beasley producing a lot of yards, and not a lot of turnovers. They do a little bit of everything -- option, running, passing, you name it. Oklahoma's offense is more like Kentucky's or Purdue's -- a ball control offense that spreads the field with the short passing attack. The offenses may look similar, but Oklahoma and K-State present a great contrast in styles.
Both teams think they have an emotional edge in this game. Kansas State's home-field advantage is one of the best in college football. The fans are close to the field, and they are loud. The fans' proximity to the field almost presents an atmosphere of a basketball arena. And there will be a lot of purple in the stands.
Stoops is selling his Oklahoma team on the fact that it's taking a schedule that looks almost impossible, with Texas, K-State and Nebraska back-to-back-to-back, and have the opportunity to do something greater than any team in college football. If OU wins these three games, it can't help but be ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the country.
Taking everything into account, this is a fascinating game.
Player to watch: Beasley. You can tell what you'll get from Josh Heupel. The wild card, though is Beasley. When he's hot, he's really hot, but he's prone to big mistakes. If Jonathan Beasley has the hot game, Kansas State will be very tough.
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Oklahoma's D, which has great athletes in its own right in linebacker Rocky Calmus and defensive back J.T. Thatcher, easily has its toughest assignment of the year. After seeing how the Sooners contained Texas, Kansas State respects the Sooners' defense a little more.
"They get around the ball quickly, and they hit real hard," Kansas State tight end Shad Meier said. "They're going to present a lot of challenges."
When Oklahoma has the ball:
Oklahoma has the nation's fourth-ranked offense, while K-State's defense is tops in the nation. Neither side has many weaknesses. The ability to adapt will be the most telling intangible.
Oklahoma beats teams into submission with its passing attack by spreading the field with its receivers. Seven Sooners have 10 or more receptions this season, with Antwone Savage leading the way with 20. Andre Woolfolk is always a threat -- his four touchdown catches are a team high. Quentin Griffin has soft hands coming out of the backfield, as well.
The Sooners' passing attack sets up the running game, which doesn't get the credit it should. OU averages 172.4 yards on the ground. This is a far cry from the days of Barry Switzer, Billy Sims and the wishbone, but it's enough to make defenses aware that they can run. Against Texas, Oklahoma ran the ball more than it passed (56 to 41).
"They can run the ball," said KSU head coach Bill Snyder. "The essence of all the television newscasts was Griffin running for six TDs. There was great balance in their offense."
Most of all, the Sooners must be patient. Theirs is the best offense the Wildcats have seen, and they should bear that in mind. Heupel will have a tough time barking out signals due to crowd noise, so don't be surprised to see audibles, a silent count or a hurry-up approach implemented by Oklahoma.
The Wildcats will blitz to try and shake Heupel, and K-State has a host of formidable pass-rushers. The trio of DE Chris Johnson, DT Mario Fetafehi and DE Monty Beisel have combined for 17 sacks this season -- putting even more pressure on the Sooners' O-line.
The key for the offense is maintaining its variety, especially in pass formations. However, Heupel must be cognizant of where corners Jerametrius Butler and Dyshod Carter are at all times. They are fast, physical, and have a nose for the ball -- Butler has four interceptions to rank fourth in the nation. Don't forget about safeties Jon McGraw and Jarrod Cooper either. Both are among the leading tacklers on the Wildcat defense.
When K-State has the ball:
Kansas State has a quick-strike attack also. The Wildcats have scored on their opening drive in each of their first six games this season.
|  | | David Allen (32) is healthy and ready to make an impact. |
Before the season, quarterback Jonathan Beasley was maligned for his inconsistency, but he has since taken his game to another level, earning rumblings of Heisman consideration. Beasley is the man the Sooners are focused on, because he is dangerous in all facets of the game.
Beasley's versatility fits perfectly with Kansas State's offensive system. Because he is adept at reading blitzes, passing and running, he opens the offense for the players around him. Much of the credit goes to K-State's offensive line. The crew might be undersized, averaging 6-foot-3, 276 pounds, but it has owned the line of scrimmage this season.
K-State's greatest asset is its depth. In the backfield, the Wildcats are stacked with David Allen, who returned to action last week after missing three games with an ankle injury, Josh Scobey, currently the team's leading rusher, and Chris Claybon. All three are threats to go the distance whenever they touch the ball.
At wide receiver, Aaron Lockett and Quincy Morgan are the players to watch. These two are arguably the most exciting receiving tandem in college football. Lockett's size (5-foot-7, 165 pounds) and speed make him very elusive to defenders. He possesses tremendous field vision as well, as two punt returns for touchdowns will attest to.
On the other side, Morgan is the textbook receiver, in terms of stature (6-2, 215 pounds), and ability. He is the Wildcats' deep threat. After a 1,000-yard season a year ago, Morgan is on his way to bettering his '99 output. Morgan already has 28 catches for 520 yards and eight touchdowns.
But Oklahoma's secondary, led by free safety J.T. Thatcher (six interceptions), is up to the challenge. The strength of the Sooners' defense is its linebackers, led by Rocky Calmus and Torrance Marshall. Oklahoma must force Beasley to make mistakes to be successful. If the Sooners can penetrate the line of scrimmage, Beasley and K-State could be in trouble.
News and notes:
OU quarterback Josh Heupel has thrown 81 consecutive passes without an interception, and has thrown at least one TD pass in 17 straight games.
Kansas State has seven players from Oklahoma on its roster: WR Aaron Lockett, RB Josh Scobey, RB Chris Claybon, DE Chris Johnson, DT DeVane Robinson, TE Thomas Hill, and RB Danny Morris.
Oklahoma WR Julius McMillan transferred from K-State.
Heupel and Fatafehi played together at Snow Junior College (Utah).
To underscore the importance of scoring early: In the first half, Oklahoma has outscored opponents 142-43; K-State has outscored opponents 206-26.
Saturday marks the 84th time Oklahoma and Kansas State have faced each other. It is the first time both teams are ranked in the Top 10.
Oklahoma leads the all-time series 63-16-4. Kansas State has won the last five meetings, dating back to 1993. Saturday is the first meeting since 1997.
Will Weiss is the assistant editor of BCSfootball.com.
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Oklahoma's Josh Heupel lays it in nicely for Andre Woolfolk.