OSU-A&M Already On The Radar
By John Helsley
jhelsley@opubco.com
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OSU’s time in Dallas at the Big 12 Media Days went well, with all three representatives – Brandon Weeden, Justin Blackmon and Markelle Martin – presenting themselves well, to no surprise.
They are solid ambassadors for the program and each delivered in every way as an interested media gathered to gauge the Cowboys for the season ahead.
And it’s a season that brings an early major matchup: OSU’s trip to Texas A&M for the Big 12 opener in the opening month on Sept. 24.
The Cowboys will be coming off a beginning stretch of games that includes home dates with Louisiana-Lafayette and Arizona, followed by a road test at Tulsa.
The Aggies start against SMU, Idaho, with an open week between those two.
Then, for two teams hoping to breakthrough for a Big 12 title, it’s on.
And despite the early date, it smells of an elimination game.
“Truthfully,” said Aggies coach Mike Sherman, “I prefer playing them a little later. We have Arkansas in there as well (the week after OSU), which is another big game for us.
“Certainly, Oklahoma State, a team that we have not found a way to win against since I’ve been at A&M. We’ve lost to them three games in a row.
“That’s going to be a key game on our schedule. Put a lot of effort into that in the offseason to see exactly what they’re doing, how we can play better and coach better.”
The Cowboys would surely like to ease into Big 12 play as well, if that’s possible.
But a win in College Station could also propel them, much the way beating the Aggies in Stillwater a year ago did.
“A&M catapulted us through the middle part of the season,” Weeden said.
The Cowboys can’t get ahead of themselves, not with Arizona seeking revenge for an Alamo Bowl beating and dangerous Tulsa circling OSU’s visit on its schedule.
But it is a fun game to look forward to – perhaps the key game in either team’s schedule.
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