Under the Hood: Bedlam

Oklahoma's upcoming Bedlam meeting is one of the most anticipated in the series' wild history. And as such it's time for SoonerScoop.com to break down what the Cowboys are bringing to town. To do so we are taking an in-depth look at Oklahoma State's most recent opponent, Texas Tech - who the Cowboys downed 23-0 on Nov. 20.

Against the Red Raiders, Oklahoma State rushed for 188-yards on 48 attempts (3.9 yards per carry) and completed 19-of-38 passes for 239-yards (6.3 yards per attempt).

Another year, another Spencer Sanders-led offense for the Cowboys. And though Sanders is still a bit limited he has found his best role in Oklahoma State's offense by limiting his mistakes. He's a skilled runner who does a good job of not giving away cheap yards and tends to continue flying forward when he gets some momentum.

As a passer he still struggles with his accuracy - thought it is markedly improved - but when he is on schedule he is clearly far more accurate than when moving off platform. But when he has time to set his feet and drive the ball he shows flashes of legitimate danger to a defense.

A few times against the Red Raiders Sanders seemed a beat or too slow in feeling the pressure and buying himself time but largely he's comfortable getting outside and picking up first downs with his feet - including on several called runs for the Cowboys.

His favorite target is, without question, senior Tay Martin. The Washington State transfer is a big-bodied guy who struggled in this game a bit with his hands but still managed a solid day and is dangerous after the catch not just because of quickness and speed but also his size and difficulty in being taken down one on one. He's a receiver that will attack the ball whether it's up in the air or if he simply needs to work back to it when a play breaks down.

At no point this year has Oklahoma State's passing offense been overly dynamic but the freshman duo of John Paul Richardson and Jaden Bray both show signs of being playmakers in the future. Bray in particular blends impressive acceleration and size on the outside.

Brennan Presley has also shown an ability to be dangerous in his first few years on campus but, due to injury, wasn't a factor against Tech.

The offensive line, like much of the roster, lacks any elite standouts though Josh Sills, when healthy has long been a consistent and quality option for the Cowboys. For a team that wants to get after you in the run game, left tackle Cole Birmingham is a great fit. He's not the world's most athletic tackle but in the run game he is more than willing to mix it up.

Speaking of that running game the Cowboys boast three backs that feature heavily in their plans though against Tech it was two that really caught the eye.

First is obviously starter Jaylen Warren who has had a revelatory season for the Cowboys and after flashing at points early in the year kind of took the reins against Boise State and hasn't looked back. Now Warren is dealing with injury concerns and with his great downhill running, that is somewhat reminiscent of Baylor's Abram Smith, it's no surprise that he's taken a few lumps.

But in this game it was former Oklahoma City Bishop McGuinness star Dominic Richardson that really stood out time and time again. Richardson has bulked up since his high school days and looks the better for it. He showed flashes as a physical runner as well as one who could make plays in the passing game for Sanders. But it's his vision that really caught the eye, he's got a chance to be a really good one in time for Oklahoma State. And he looks like a guy that could be trouble for Oklahoma this weekend.

Against the Cowboys, Texas Tech rushed for 25-yards on 26 attempts (1.0 yards per carry) and completed 10-of-32 passes for 83-yards (2.6 yards per attempt).

It comes as no surprise to anyone who has watched this team that we start with potential Big 12 defensive player of the year Malcolm Rodriguez when we break down the Cowboys defense. Since his days at Wagoner high school his coaches have talked about his natural instincts and decision-making. The former prep quarterback has a great idea of how offenses are trying to attack and reads and reacts with impressive quickness. But he's more than just savvy, he's very athletic and finds great angles to the ball carrier.

He'll be the best linebacker Oklahoma has faced in 2021 and is joined by Devin Harper at the linebacker position. Harper is a big, good-looking athlete who at times will avoid a block but he shows the speed to make up for those choices, most of the time.

Up front the Cowboys don't have many elite talents but they have a host of guys with great motors and great understanding of their role within the defense. Perhaps no player better embodies that than redshirt senior Brock Martin. The Oologah, Okla. product has fought through injury this year to be among the league leaders in sacks. He's not only a guy who gives maximum effort but is a physical player who sets the edge well for the Cowboys, he'll be a never-ending job for anyone lined up against him.

Oklahoma State's most lethal pass rusher is freshman Collin Oliver who has the look of another, in an ever-growing line, of dangerous weapons from Edmond Santa Fe for the Cowboys. He's got a lot of twitch on the edge and is more than comfortable being physical in spite of not, yet, being the biggest edge player you'll find.

A little further inside Oklahoma State rotates several players but two that stood out were Tyler Lacy and Israel Antwine. Lacy is a long and powerful defensive end who is not a matchup any tight end is going to be excited in the run game at just shy of 300 pounds. Meanwhile Antwine is a player with some good quickness and a natural gift for sitting down and eating up blocks in the middle - he's tough to move off the spot.

In the secondary is where Oklahoma State may have the most true standouts but again, like much of the defense and team as a whole, the sum is more than the parts.

Oklahoma State's trio of safeties, are aggressive playmakers who will come up and strike you in the run game or work to get their hands into passing lanes through the air.

The one that most consistently catches the eye is senior Tanner McAlister. He's incredibly active and the type of guy offenses hate to face as he's just always going to be in the middle of things and willing to mix it up with anyone.

Junior Jason Taylor had one of the biggest plays of Oklahoma State's season with the huge touchdown return against Texas and since then has been a lynchpin of the defense. He's another active player who is at his best on the front foot.

The final piece of the puzzle is Kolby Harvell-Peel. He may not be quite as flashy as his cohorts but he's a good tackler in space and helps minimizes the rare moments when someone gets loose against the defense.

If there is one area that looks susceptible to even a modest offense it may be at corner where Oklahoma State started a solid pair in Jarrick Bernard-Converse and Christian Holmes. Though Holmes had a quiet night, neither good nor bad, Bernard-Converse showed an ability to get beaten deep and to get a little grabby when it happens. He's a smart corner with size but Texas Tech had multiple opportunities to win over the top and just couldn't quite take advantage.

Joe Michalski vs. Perrion Winfrey

When Oklahoma State really found things in the run game it was being very downhill and direct with Oklahoma State. If they are to do so against it will be running at Winfrey. His athleticism should present some problems for Michalski but can he consistently be the disruptive force for four quarters? Time will tell.

Tay Martin vs. Woodi Washington

Oklahoma has never been a school to have a corner follow around one receiver but it feels like either Washington or Key Lawrence should be considered for such a role in this game. Martin is such a huge part of Oklahoma State's passing offense, if they can contain him they can force some one dimensional offense from Sanders and Oklahoma State.

Malcolm Rodriguez vs. Caleb Williams

As has been discussed here, and literally anywhere else, Rodriguez is one of the nation's best linebackers and seeing how he is able to prevent Williams from breaking loose in the run game will be a key piece to the puzzle. Oklahoma's run game isn't likely to break loose for huge yardage but if Williams can keep some drives alive with his feet that could be massive for Oklahoma.

...as mentioned I'd be looking hard at finding some delayed runs for Williams up the middle, as aggressive as the Cowboys are it feels like there could be some things there, particularly up the middle. Now, they aren't all going to pop for huge yardage but maybe some seven and 10 yard runs to just keep the chains moving.

I'm also looking to set up some screens and various action to get the Cowboys moving one direction with their eyes before getting the ball back quickly in another direction. They are an aggressive bunch, do some things to keep them on their heels just a bit.

Finally, offensively, I'm going to attack Bernard-Converse, maybe with Marvin Mims or Mario Williams but someone who is going to make him reach and grab due to their speed.

Defensively for Oklahoma, Oklahoma State is very much a 'what you see is what you get' style of offense. They are going to run a lot of the same stuff from a lot of the same personnel groupings but they'll mix up formation quite a bit - finding different blocking angles on the edge, etc. Oklahoma State will run right at Oklahoma so winning up front is going to be a foundational piece for Oklahoma to pull the upset on Saturday night.