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The college football season is less than two months away from kickoff and with the season nearing, WVSports.com takes an early look at programs in the Big 12 Conference.
In the last two years, West Virginia has had great success against Oklahoma State. In 2013, West Virginia upset an Oklahoma State team that was ranked tenth nationally at the time. Last season, the Mountaineers went to Stillwater and beat the Cowboys again. This fall Oklahoma State comes to Morgantown in October, as West Virginia will look to win its third straight over the Cowboys. For an early look at Oklahoma State, WVSports.com caught up with OStateIllustrated.com Editor Jay Fielder.
WVSports.com: Let's start here, after listening to Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy at Big 12 Media Days in Dallas, I got the sense there is real confidence in quarterback Mason Rudolph. In your opinion how has he grown this offseason and what's the ceiling for him? - See more at: https://westvirginia.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1785514#sthash.51gS1HeD.du2icBVv.dpuf
Fielder: I think initially as far as improvement in the offseason, the biggest thing that I've noticed is just his leadership. The plan initially was to redshirt him last season, but when Daxx Garman got injured, they went into the Baylor game without much of a choice, so they either had to burn Rudolph's red shirt or play a walk-on at quarterback. Gundy said at Media Days, he didn't feel it was fair to his team to not play the best guy and try to win the game. That's what led to that decision. So, he's only played three games, so I think with an offseason knowing he'll be the starter, can't do anything but help his confidence. It helps his teammates too because they know who the leader is even though Rudolph is only a true sophomore. I think that's where you'll see the biggest impact.
WVSports.com: I know JW Walsh is still on the roster there in Stillwater. What's his role this season with Oklahoma State?
Fielder: I don't think there's any doubt that he'll play. Walsh was the starter last year until he got hurt. He played pretty well against Florida State in last season's opener too. And then a lot of what he did last year, before Garman got hurt was played well in short yardage situations. Rudolph presents a better throwing option, but Walsh is really good with his legs. What JW Walsh brings is a dual-threat option down in the red zone. What they did a lot last year when Rudolph was the starter, once they got into the red zone, they had a package for JW Walsh where he could run it or throw it. If anything it'll cause opposing defenses to prepare for it, which is certainly worth the effort of having it.
WVSports.com: Elsewhere offensively Oklahoma State returns a few running backs from last season, but all the talk has been about preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, Chris Carson, he's gained a lot of attention. How does Oklahoma State plan to use Carson?
Fielder: I don't want to call him the bell cow per say, but I think he'll definitely lead the team in carries. The primary guy that they have back is Rennie Childs and he was the backup to Desmond Roland last season. Roland got about 85 or 90-percent of the carries. I don't necessarily think that Carson will get that many especially since Childs was somewhat successful in his time on the field last year. I think that Carson is more explosive player and has a better big-play ability. He's bigger, stronger and a bit faster, so I think he'll be the main guy, where as Childs will still be the backup. Carson was committed to Georgia for a long time before Oklahoma State swooped in late and stole him away at the last second with the ability to provide immediate playing time. With Georgia's success at running back lately between Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb, it seems like they know a good running back when they see one, so there's certainly reason for optimism with Carson at Oklahoma State.
WVSports.com: Overall what's the strength and weakness of the offense?
Fielder: The strength now, I believe is the versatility. The problem last season with Daxx Garman at quarterback was that he was immobile back there. Plus, the offensive line was you and inexperienced, which isn't a good combination. That was a big issue. Then the final three games, once Rudolph got back, the offensive line got a bit better. That could be the biggest weakness again, you could definitely call it a question mark surrounding the offensive line's ability to protect. If they can keep Mason Rudolph from getting hit, and run the ball to obtain the balance they've had in past years, they'll be able to move the ball a bit better.
WVSports.com: On the other side of the ball, Oklahoma State returns some really good players like Emmanuel Ogbah, the defensive end and Kevin Peterson in the defensive backfield, is Oklahoma State's defense maybe going to be a bit better than it's offense?
Fielder: It has the potential to be. Statistically, last year it wasn't the best that it's had. Oklahoma State traditionally has relied on takeaways, but for whatever reason, they didn't get a lot last season. They do have a lot of players returning, which is never bad, so they'll have experience and you mention Ogbah, who has the chance to be a really high draft pick at the end of the year, he gives them a great pass rush. That hopefully will help the secondary. They return a few starting linebackers, both starting corners and both defensive ends, so the potential is there to be successful, especially with the Big 12 offenses.
WVSports.com: Oklahoma State, they open with Central Michigan on September, their tough games are at home at the end of the season against Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma, so what you're take on the schedule? Is it favorable for Oklahoma State?
Fielder: I think it's as favorable as you could as for considering the strength of the Big 12. Baylor and TCU as far as the preseason picks go, have been picked as the class of the conference this season. Oklahoma is always a tough game, so the fact that they get all three of those games at home, is a positive. Plus, Baylor hasn't won in Stillwater for decades. They had a great team two years ago, came to Stillwater and lost by 30 points. You always would rather have those tough games at home. The Central Michigan game is intriguing. In the past, Oklahoma State has had road games at a non power-five school that can get tricky. I think Oklahoma State will out-talent Central Michigan but those games aren't easy especially if the home team gets momentum early. I think that Central Michigan game will tell us a lot about this Oklahoma State team.
WVSports.com: I wanted to ask you about the perception of this Oklahoma State team because before they beat Oklahoma in the Bedlam game, it was a lot of doom and gloom around the Cowboys. After beating the instate rival, everyone seemed to get back on the bandwagon of Oklahoma State, do you feel that the perception of Oklahoma State is a little misleading?
Fielder: I think that's a fair question. Last year there were some really low points and thing were rolling in the wrong direction. They lost five in a row and injuries mounted, so things weren't good, so it's funny how one win can really flip things around. They beat Oklahoma and turned it into a bowl win over a decent Washington team. They got some momentum in the offseason and a lot of college football is what have you done for me lately, so the fact that they won two games at the end of the year, provided foundation for optimism. There is still a cautious optimism within the fan base. The potential is there and the best teams in the league come to Stillwater, so it'll be interesting to see.
WVSports.com: I'll get you out on this, what's the best and worst case scenario for Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State in 2015?
Fielder: There are three nonconference games where the probably should be better than their opponents. They should win those game, which is three wins. Then the three toughest games are all at home. Saying they'll win all three would be optimistic, but I do think it's fair to say a 9 or 10-win season is obtainable, but I also think a 7-win season isn't a stretch either. I don't think they'll be jeopardy of not making a bowl like they were last year. - See more at: https://westvirginia.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1785514#sthash.51gS1HeD.du2icBVv.dpuf
The college football season is less than two months away from kickoff and with the season nearing, WVSports.com takes an early look at programs in the Big 12 Conference.
In the last two years, West Virginia has had great success against Oklahoma State. In 2013, West Virginia upset an Oklahoma State team that was ranked tenth nationally at the time. Last season, the Mountaineers went to Stillwater and beat the Cowboys again. This fall Oklahoma State comes to Morgantown in October, as West Virginia will look to win its third straight over the Cowboys. For an early look at Oklahoma State, WVSports.com caught up with OStateIllustrated.com Editor Jay Fielder.
WVSports.com: Let's start here, after listening to Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy at Big 12 Media Days in Dallas, I got the sense there is real confidence in quarterback Mason Rudolph. In your opinion how has he grown this offseason and what's the ceiling for him? - See more at: https://westvirginia.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1785514#sthash.51gS1HeD.du2icBVv.dpuf
Fielder: I think initially as far as improvement in the offseason, the biggest thing that I've noticed is just his leadership. The plan initially was to redshirt him last season, but when Daxx Garman got injured, they went into the Baylor game without much of a choice, so they either had to burn Rudolph's red shirt or play a walk-on at quarterback. Gundy said at Media Days, he didn't feel it was fair to his team to not play the best guy and try to win the game. That's what led to that decision. So, he's only played three games, so I think with an offseason knowing he'll be the starter, can't do anything but help his confidence. It helps his teammates too because they know who the leader is even though Rudolph is only a true sophomore. I think that's where you'll see the biggest impact.
WVSports.com: I know JW Walsh is still on the roster there in Stillwater. What's his role this season with Oklahoma State?
Fielder: I don't think there's any doubt that he'll play. Walsh was the starter last year until he got hurt. He played pretty well against Florida State in last season's opener too. And then a lot of what he did last year, before Garman got hurt was played well in short yardage situations. Rudolph presents a better throwing option, but Walsh is really good with his legs. What JW Walsh brings is a dual-threat option down in the red zone. What they did a lot last year when Rudolph was the starter, once they got into the red zone, they had a package for JW Walsh where he could run it or throw it. If anything it'll cause opposing defenses to prepare for it, which is certainly worth the effort of having it.
WVSports.com: Elsewhere offensively Oklahoma State returns a few running backs from last season, but all the talk has been about preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, Chris Carson, he's gained a lot of attention. How does Oklahoma State plan to use Carson?
Fielder: I don't want to call him the bell cow per say, but I think he'll definitely lead the team in carries. The primary guy that they have back is Rennie Childs and he was the backup to Desmond Roland last season. Roland got about 85 or 90-percent of the carries. I don't necessarily think that Carson will get that many especially since Childs was somewhat successful in his time on the field last year. I think that Carson is more explosive player and has a better big-play ability. He's bigger, stronger and a bit faster, so I think he'll be the main guy, where as Childs will still be the backup. Carson was committed to Georgia for a long time before Oklahoma State swooped in late and stole him away at the last second with the ability to provide immediate playing time. With Georgia's success at running back lately between Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb, it seems like they know a good running back when they see one, so there's certainly reason for optimism with Carson at Oklahoma State.
WVSports.com: Overall what's the strength and weakness of the offense?
Fielder: The strength now, I believe is the versatility. The problem last season with Daxx Garman at quarterback was that he was immobile back there. Plus, the offensive line was you and inexperienced, which isn't a good combination. That was a big issue. Then the final three games, once Rudolph got back, the offensive line got a bit better. That could be the biggest weakness again, you could definitely call it a question mark surrounding the offensive line's ability to protect. If they can keep Mason Rudolph from getting hit, and run the ball to obtain the balance they've had in past years, they'll be able to move the ball a bit better.
WVSports.com: On the other side of the ball, Oklahoma State returns some really good players like Emmanuel Ogbah, the defensive end and Kevin Peterson in the defensive backfield, is Oklahoma State's defense maybe going to be a bit better than it's offense?
Fielder: It has the potential to be. Statistically, last year it wasn't the best that it's had. Oklahoma State traditionally has relied on takeaways, but for whatever reason, they didn't get a lot last season. They do have a lot of players returning, which is never bad, so they'll have experience and you mention Ogbah, who has the chance to be a really high draft pick at the end of the year, he gives them a great pass rush. That hopefully will help the secondary. They return a few starting linebackers, both starting corners and both defensive ends, so the potential is there to be successful, especially with the Big 12 offenses.
WVSports.com: Oklahoma State, they open with Central Michigan on September, their tough games are at home at the end of the season against Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma, so what you're take on the schedule? Is it favorable for Oklahoma State?
Fielder: I think it's as favorable as you could as for considering the strength of the Big 12. Baylor and TCU as far as the preseason picks go, have been picked as the class of the conference this season. Oklahoma is always a tough game, so the fact that they get all three of those games at home, is a positive. Plus, Baylor hasn't won in Stillwater for decades. They had a great team two years ago, came to Stillwater and lost by 30 points. You always would rather have those tough games at home. The Central Michigan game is intriguing. In the past, Oklahoma State has had road games at a non power-five school that can get tricky. I think Oklahoma State will out-talent Central Michigan but those games aren't easy especially if the home team gets momentum early. I think that Central Michigan game will tell us a lot about this Oklahoma State team.
WVSports.com: I wanted to ask you about the perception of this Oklahoma State team because before they beat Oklahoma in the Bedlam game, it was a lot of doom and gloom around the Cowboys. After beating the instate rival, everyone seemed to get back on the bandwagon of Oklahoma State, do you feel that the perception of Oklahoma State is a little misleading?
Fielder: I think that's a fair question. Last year there were some really low points and thing were rolling in the wrong direction. They lost five in a row and injuries mounted, so things weren't good, so it's funny how one win can really flip things around. They beat Oklahoma and turned it into a bowl win over a decent Washington team. They got some momentum in the offseason and a lot of college football is what have you done for me lately, so the fact that they won two games at the end of the year, provided foundation for optimism. There is still a cautious optimism within the fan base. The potential is there and the best teams in the league come to Stillwater, so it'll be interesting to see.
WVSports.com: I'll get you out on this, what's the best and worst case scenario for Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State in 2015?
Fielder: There are three nonconference games where the probably should be better than their opponents. They should win those game, which is three wins. Then the three toughest games are all at home. Saying they'll win all three would be optimistic, but I do think it's fair to say a 9 or 10-win season is obtainable, but I also think a 7-win season isn't a stretch either. I don't think they'll be jeopardy of not making a bowl like they were last year. - See more at: https://westvirginia.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1785514#sthash.51gS1HeD.du2icBVv.dpuf
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