Dean's List: Keys to Beating Iowa State

Originally Published: Oct 13, 2010 10:3 PM CDT

Dean Blevins
Oklahoma Sports Sports Director – Oklahoma City

Offense

1. Score early to set a tone — let ISU know they are in for a long day from the first drive and get the crowd involved in a game where they could be nonchalant.

2. Dominatethe line of scrimmage— ISU is not good on defense, and this improved OL must start becoming more physical.

3. Involve RB Roy Finch — first chance forthis true freshmangame-breaker to play after a foot injury, and he needs to show he’s ready to make a differencefor late-season big games.

Defense

1. Play with a sense of urgency — more than any part of a ball club, a defense must play with maximum effort from snap-to-whistle and play-to-play and series-to-series.

2. Contain QB — Arnaud is yet another mobile athlete with a big arm.

3. Austin Box and Frank Alexander factors — the injured MLB returns and needs to be game-ready for Missouri and the DE must play to potential for this defense to become a force

Overall

1. Don’t take anything for granted — turnovers, apathy and ISU playing like it did in big win over TT would be a bad mixture for Sooners

2. Clear the bench — important to play well enough that back-ups and young players get their chance

3. Stay healthy — last thing a team getting better and preparing for stretch run needs is to get players hurt in game they should win comfortably