Game Thread (2004) Bowl Game: MasterCard Alamo Bowl - Oklahoma State - 12/29/04 (W, 8-4/4-4)

[yankee_in_texas]

Official Alamo Bowl Events (that don't cost $$$)

<tt><big>Alamo Bowl Pep Rally and Team Fiesta

Location: Arneson River Theatre (on The Riverwalk). This is a free event (if you arrive this early or live here!).
Date/Time: Monday, December 27, 2004 6:30 pm
Map: http://lavillita.com/map/index.htm


Shiner Bock Alamo Bowl Tailgate Party

The "official" gathering place for fans of both teams before the Alamo Bowl (since the City of San Antonio does not allow traditional tailgating at the Alamodome). This get together will feature interactive games, appearances by the university bands, and food and drink booths. This is a free event (but the food and drink cost $$$).

Location: Sunset Station (next to the Alamodome)
Date/Time: December 29, 2004 4 to 7 pm
Map: http://www.sunset-station.com/main.php?page=map.htm


SBC Yellow Pages Alamo Bowl Fan Zone

Local fans, alumni groups and the university bands will all join to celebrate before the big game. This is a free event, too (mysteriously at the same place as the Official Tailgate Party).

Location: Sunset Station
Date/Time: December 29, 2004 from 4 to 7 pm
Map: http://www.sunset-station.com/main.php?page=map.htm


All the other Official Alamo Bowl Events (that cost $$$) can be found here. </big></tt>

 

[jwinslow]

I would rather see a challenge type setup like the NFL has. I very rarely like any rule that the NFL puts in place, but that one works out nicely.

You can't be serious.

If the refs make a bad call early in teh game the coach probably won't challenge it unless its a pivotal play cuz they don't want to waste one of their challenges. Plus they are penalized for challenging a ridiculous call if it happens that there isn't enough evidence to prove that the refs made a bad call.

The replay hardly slows the game down at all, and allows everyone to move on when a bad call is made, because they know it usually will get reversed if its clear on tape that it is reversible.

What if you had a terrible set of refs for a game? You could only reverse one of their bad calls per half (unless you wanted to leave yourself with no chance to reverse a bad call later in teh game).

The bigten system is about getting the call right, because the impartial guy upstairs saw something that could reverse the call. The NFL system is about whether one team dislikes the call enugh to challenge it.

 

[CowboyJD]

Are any of you Oklahoma St guys heading down to the game? How far of a drive is it from where you guys are at?

From posts on the site (O-state.com) where all these guys (and myself) post regularly, I'd say every single OkState poster here will be there.

I am hearing reports that the athletic department in Stillwater pre-sold (we have a system where season ticket owners agree to buy tickets to particular bowls of their choice before knowing exactly what bowl) more than the school's initial allotment of 10-11K tickets.

I also know that a large group of folks bought their tickets from Ticketmaster.com early on. The game already looks about sold out and should be pretty evenly divided.

Looking forward to it.

 

[HanesOnU]

Ya, I'm with JD, i think all the posters on here are going. Can't wait!

 

[OilerBuck]

Their will be multiple keys. If you guys do a good job on third downs, you will probably win. But also it matters what Ok State team/coaching staff shows up. This year has been up and down for us cowboys and the coaching staff has cost us a few games b/c of the conservative play calling. Personally, I think that is the main key. If we are conservative, we get our butts kicked, but if not, it should be a good game.


If your offense plays like they did against Michigan, we(Ok State) will get our arses kicked unless we play lights out too. But personally, I think it is impossible to play that good 2 times in a row.

At least that is what I'm telling myself.

You nailed it. Teams that have played conservative or scared against the Buckeyes have been the ones we beat. We have been primarily exposed by the spread offense (Northwestern, Purdue) and mobile QB's (Iowa/Tate). I believe that Morency will only be effective if he is used in doses...don't hand it to him 70% of the time or he'll get stuffed. I would venture to guess you'd be better to come out and take some chances...the longer the game is tight or we are ahead, the more it plays into the Tressel-ball style. Aggressive playcalling is key.

Donovan Woods scares me for some reason, if he can avoid happy feet and buy time with his athleticism (Ala Drew Tate) our coverage will break down and the Buckeyes will struggle. How is Morency as a receiving threat out of the backfield?

As it is now, I honestly feel this game is even but has the potential to be a blowout either way. With the Bucks and Pokes you never know what team will show up. That's what is so scary about this matchup for us. Hopefully it's a tight and exciting game like we've witnessed in our last 3 bowls (the latter two being the result we'd prefer).

 

[HanesOnU]

I believe that Morency will only be effective if he is used in doses...don't hand it to him 70% of the time or he'll get stuffed. I would venture to guess you'd be better to come out and take some chances...the longer the game is tight or we are ahead, the more it plays into the Tressel-ball style. Aggressive playcalling is key.

We always run a ton, and Morency is always good. But, I think we do have to take chances. If we get out big at first I don't know how you guys will respond. But one thing is we don't play to good with a lead. We get really conservative and give the team a chance to come back. But if we are even or losing our playcalling has been aggressive other than the Tech game and the Texas game, which we got out to a big lead, got in a shell and never came out.

Donovan Woods scares me for some reason, if he can avoid happy feet and buy time with his athleticism (Ala Drew Tate) our coverage will break down and the Buckeyes will struggle. How is Morency as a receiving threat out of the backfield?

One thing that Donovan is good at is not getting happy feet, so that plays in our favor. He doesn't really run unless it is a called run. He usually stays at home on the passing plays.

Morency is a good threat anytime he touches the ball, but we don't really ever throw it to him. But he was part of one of our best plays of the season. Donovan took the snap, faced left then turned 180 degrees and threw it to Morency on the right side of the field right at the line of scrimmage. Morency took off, juked one, then two, then again. Took it 60 yards(I think) to the house and juked out 10 of the 11 Texas players on the way. Simply amazing. But we don't use him enough.

As it is now, I honestly feel this game is even but has the potential to be a blowout either way. With the Bucks and Pokes you never know what team will show up. That's what is so scary about this matchup for us. Hopefully it's a tight and exciting game like we've witnessed in our last 3 bowls (the latter two being the result we'd prefer).

I totally agree with this. But truthfully, I think it is more likely that tOSU blows us(Ok State) out than the other way around. It should be a good game. The game could potentially be a scoring bananza(sp?) in which we score back and forth, back and forth. Should be fun to watch.

 

[OilerBuck]

Morency is a good threat anytime he touches the ball, but we don't really ever throw it to him. But he was part of one of our best plays of the season. Donovan took the snap, faced left then turned 180 degrees and threw it to Morency on the right side of the field right at the line of scrimmage. Morency took off, juked one, then two, then again. Took it 60 yards(I think) to the house and juked out 10 of the 11 Texas players on the way. Simply amazing. But we don't use him enough.

I saw that play on the evil empire of sports broadcasting (ESPN). It was incredible! Just talking with you guys has really pumped me up for this game. You always want to play top-notch competition and I felt that you guys were going to be the toughest draw we could've hoped for. If we pull out a win in this one, we expect a very high pre-season ranking for next year (Not that it helped us this year )...

It looks like your team will be returning a lot of talent as well. If Morency stays, you'll be returning he and the Woods brothers. How will your line and defense hold up next season?

 

[DCBuckFan]

But one thing is we don't play to good with a lead. We get really conservative and give the team a chance to come back. But if we are even or losing our playcalling has been aggressive

This doesn't sound familiar at ALL

 

[HanesOnU]

Everyone expects us to be very good next year. On defense we will be better b/c we have tons of underclassmen, and our playmaker, Prentiss Elliot, will be a CB next year. He was an amazing WR last year but moving him to CB will give us a taller guy since he is like 6'1". To replace him we had Tommy D(too long of a name I can't spell) who is supposable a huge playmaker but was readshirted this year. Our offense will be very good and Morency will come back. He has been quoted on all the top websites saying so.

As an Ok State fan, I expect to win the Big 12. Texas is losing Derrick Johnson and Cedrick(?) Benson. OU is losing MOST of their starters and will only have Peterson on offense. That is when we will really know how good Peterson is. But I think we have a good shot to win the Big 12.

How are you guys gonna be next year. I know you have that dynamite QB back, but give me the heads up.

 

[osugrad21]

How are you guys gonna be next year. I know you have that dynamite QB back, but give me the heads up.

Next year is carrying high expectations, but that is the case almost every year. The Bucks lose Dustin Fox (CB...solid and steady leader), Brandon Joe (an oft-injured but valuable FB/TB), Kyle Andrews (an excellent long snapper), Maurice Hall & Lydell Ross (TBs who never lived up to the hype although Hall has been an excellent KR this year), and of course Mike Nugent who is the best Kicker in tOSU history IMHO. The other seniors rarely see the field beyond special teams and a number of Fr and So were thrown into the fire this year. If the young OL and DL gets it together...and they have both made strides this year...it could be a great year.

 

[OilerBuck]

How are you guys gonna be next year. I know you have that dynamite QB back, but give me the heads up.

We lose 1 defensive line starter (Simon Fraser) and 1 CB (Dustin Fox) on defense. Dustin will be replaced by E.J. Underwood, who started over half of the games this year or Teddy Ginn will step in at corner as well (That's his natural position). It is addition by subtraction that we are losing Lydell Ross...our young running backs are more talented anyway. Tony Pittman is a freshman and will be the likely starter next year (pending a Maurice Wells commitment). Tony is our leading rusher with FAR fewer carries than Ross. We lose Brandon Joe at FB, but his backup, Dionte Johnson, is a true frosh stud and has started a few games. We lose both Nugent and Turano, which will hurt because of how important our special teams are to us.

Fox and Joe have been hurt much of this season, Ross was suspended for several games and we rotate our D-line religiously so I basically feel we have all 22 Offensive and Defensive starters with quality 1st team experience under their belt. Special teams will hurt. Many of us think this extremely young team is starting to click...if that is the case, we will be extremely dangerous...as it sounds you will be as well.

I think we'd both be happy if we could renew the rivalry next year in the national championship game . Wow...talk about premature hype. haha!

EDIT: Can't forget about Andrews...He has been automatic for years

 

[chuck_jax]

Don't laugh

Also doesn't include, and no one laugh, but we are basically the lock for a championship every year here, synchro swimming.

Hard to talk up synchro on a football forum, lol, but we have had 24 national championships in the past 28 years in that arena alone.

That is dominance, even if you're just gracefully thrashing around in the water.

Are those the lady buckeyes I see with the Aflac duck on TV?

Hmmm...thought so. I wonder if UM has a men's sync. team??????

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Didn't read this whole thread, so if it's been covered, I apologize. Morency is the real deal. Ohio State has stopped feature backs of this sort before, but it is no sure thing that Ohio State will do so again (Man, I just realized I can't just say OSU)


In any case, if Morency is stopped, I have little faith in the Okie St. pass game. I'm sure it is capable, but I doubt it can be relied on. Woods to Woods sounds nice, but unless you follow the game with some degree of intensity, no one has heard of that connection. I don't mean that to be offensive, just realistic. If you still had Rashaun Woods, then I'd be more impressed with the 1st posts' contention that it's possible Woods is the best WR in the nation.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

You nailed it. Teams that have played conservative or scared against the Buckeyes have been the ones we beat. We have been primarily exposed by the spread offense (Northwestern, Purdue) and mobile QB's (Iowa/Tate).

True, but we lost the Northwestern and Purdue games because we played soft zone and didn't jam the WRs. We got clocked at Iowa because of that plus our offense could never stay on the field. Whe our offense gave our defense rest, and when pressed the WRs and put heat on the QB, we were tough to move the ball against. Aside from Tate, we've fared very well against spread offenses and mobile QBs over the last few years. We've also improved against mis-directions (which killed us at Northwestern).

 

[Buckeye513]

How are you guys gonna be next year. I know you have that dynamite QB back, but give me the heads up.

We should have a better running game next year with Antonio Pittman, Erik Haw(redshirt freshman), and hopefully Maurice Wells(if he doesn't get redshirted).