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Bedlam Comprehensive Preview: Key Players and Matchups

The Oklahoma State Cowboys season has been a bad, broken record. Similar game plans failing, and questions of apathy bearing down on the coaching staff. This week, we're keeping the preview simple with one comprehensive look at all things OU.

Bob Stoops will rely on physicality as he and the Sooners have all season.
Bob Stoops will rely on physicality as he and the Sooners have all season.
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Key Offensive Players

Samaje Perine: 1428 yds, 6.7 yards per carry, 19 TDs

Sterling Shepard: 50 Receptions, 957 yards, 5 TDs

Keith Ford: 5.1 yards per carry, 5 Rushing TDs, 1 Receiving TD

Without quarterback Trevor Knight, the game plan for the Sooners will likely fall into the hands of stud running back Samaje Perine. Perine is easily the best running back in the conference and will look to run over the entire Cowboy front seven. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, if Perine gets fatigued, which doesn't happen much, the next in line will be Keith Ford who can be just as effective as Perine in short spells. If the Cowboys can create third and long situations to make back-up quarterback Cody Thomas throw, then the Cowboys could create turnovers, which has been a cornerstone of Cowboy defenses for some time now, but have struggled at points this season in that department. Sterling Shepard will need to be double covered as well.

Key Defensive Players (via Derek Hatridge)

Dominique Alexander: 93 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 fumble forced

Eric Striker: 51 tackles, 7 sacks, 13.5 TFL

Jordan Evans: 78 tackles, 5 TFL

The entire defensive unit is pretty stout, totaling 745 tackles and 26 sacks throughout the year. The Cowboy offensive line may have more than a little bit of trouble trying to keep Striker away from Rudolph. Super fast and shifty, Striker has been racking up stats all season. Couple that with the powerful Alexander and Evans, and the O-Line will be having their hands full. As far as secondary goes, Zack Sanchez and Julian Wilson will be helping to keep the Cowboy wide receivers at bay. But Sanchez has been known to be burned on more than one occasion, allowing for someone like David Glidden to have a Rashaun Woods kind of day. But it's Bedlam, and Mike Stoops will be either be jumping for joy or breaking a headset by the end of the day.

Final Score: 35-17 Sooners