10 Bedlam Questions

<p><em class="gnmEkDate">Originally Published: Nov 23, 2010 6:11 PM CDT</em></p>10 Questions I have going into Bedlam and what I think are the answers:&lt;/P&gt;1.&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 1:29 pm

By: News On 6


Originally Published: Nov 23, 2010 6:11 PM CDT

10 Questions I have going into Bedlam and what I think are the answers:</P>1.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Why did the Vegas line open at 2?&#160; It&rsquo;s because the boys who have millions riding on the game think OU is the better team, but they are hedging a bit because of home field advantage.&#160; </P>2.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; How healthy are OSU&rsquo;s Justin Blackmon and OU&rsquo;s Ryan Broyles?&#160; The game&rsquo;s two biggest playmakers both have injured ankles.&#160; Blackmon tweaked his this past weekend at Kansas.&#160; Broyles has had chronic pain all season long.&#160; My bet is that neither will be bothered on Saturday unless there is a re-injury.&#160; Once each gets out and gets the adrenaline pumping it won&rsquo;t be a problem.&#160; </P>3.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; How will OU&rsquo;s Tom Wort play Saturday?&#160; Austin Box was getting most of the snaps at middle linebacker last Saturday against Baylor until he got hurt.&#160; Wort entered and played well, but this will be his first Bedlam and OSU&rsquo;s offense can make a freshman&rsquo;s head spin.</P>4.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Will the Sooners be able to get to Brandon Weeden?&#160; He is playing better and with more confidence than any quarterback in the Big 12 right now.&#160; Part of the reason is his offensive line.&#160; Weeden has only been sacked 10 times.&#160; That&rsquo;s the fewest in the Big 12.&#160; I think Jeremy Beal can get to Weeden as can Ronnell Lewis.&#160; How often and with how much force is the question.</P>5.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Can the Sooners make a kick when it counts?&#160; Vegas expects a 1-3 point game.&#160; That means a field goal could decide it.&#160; OSU&rsquo;s Dan Bailey missed two field goals last week and has, for the first time in his career, looked a bit unsteady the last two weeks.&#160; But he nailed a game-winner at home against A&amp;M and is still one of the most reliable guys in the country.&#160; The Sooners&rsquo; kick by committee effort has been mostly a mess.&#160; There&rsquo;s no chance I would want to send Jimmy Stevens out there to boot a 42-yarder with :02 seconds left on the clock.&#160; That changes the decisions you make as a coach.</P>6.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Will OSU&rsquo;s secondary continue to play well?&#160;&#160; Since the Nebraska debacle, the Cowboys have been good in the defensive backfield.&#160; Broderick Brown&rsquo;s emergence has helped a great deal.&#160; Andrew McGee has been steady.&#160; Perhaps the best thing this group has done is force turnovers.&#160; That could be huge again Saturday.</P>7.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; How much will Roy Finch touch the ball?&#160; The freshman firefly got dinged in the head last week at Baylor.&#160; Bedlam is a big stage and he&rsquo;s just the type of guy who could move right to the front.&#160; If he gets 15 touches, the Cowboys better watch out.</P>8.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; What unsung player&rsquo;s name will we remember when it&rsquo;s done?&#160; There have been many over the years. &#160;Possible candidates:&#160; Chris Donaldson-OSU lineman, &#160;Trent Ratterree-OU tight end, Quinton Carter-OU linebacker, Tracy Moore-OSU receiver.</P>9.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; How will the Cowboys deal with being the favorites?&#160; It hasn&rsquo;t happened in recent memory.&#160; ESPN Gameday, Erin Andrews on the sidelines, possible Big 12 title and BCS bowl.&#160; I think they&rsquo;ll be fine.&#160; Nothing has affected them yet.</P>10.&#160;&#160; Who am I picking?&#160; See me Saturday at 6:00.</P><BR/>
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