OSU football: Stanford offense provides new challenge for Cowboys

End Jamie Blatnick said Kansas State. Cornerback Brodrick Brown said Texas. Safety Markelle Martin said Texas A&M. Linebacker Shaun Lewis said Oklahoma.

In reality, no offense the No. 3 Cowboys (11-1) have gone up against this season directly compares to the pro-style attack the No. 4 Cardinal (11-1) will bring in Monday's Fiesta Bowl. That presents a new challenge to an emerging Cowboy defense coming off its best performance of the season against Oklahoma nearly a month ago.

“They're a patient team,” OSU defensive coordinator Bill Young said of Stanford. “Three yards is plenty for them on that play. They'll get 10 on the next or five on the next. We've got to be patient and understand that hopefully, sometimes, they'll make a mistake, they'll get a penalty or we'll get a tackle for loss.”

Rather than the up-tempo spread offenses commonly seen in the Big 12, Stanford features a power running game and will use as many as three tight ends. It boasts a physical offensive line that Young called the best unit he's seen in three seasons. And it's all directed by Heisman runner-up Andrew Luck at quarterback.

The result is a balanced attack that consistently puts together long, methodical drives that usually end in points. The Cardinal ranks sixth in the nation in scoring offense (43 points per game), but reaches that total by holding onto the football for more than 33 minutes each contest — which ranks ninth nationally — and racking up nearly 481 yards.

That has been the issue for a Cowboy squad that ranks 107th in the nation in total defense (445.67 yards allowed per game) and has already been on the field for more than 1,000 plays this season. And giving up too many long drives would keep the high-powered OSU offense off the field.

“We can't have them having the ball for the whole game and our offense having it a couple times,” Blatnick said. “Getting 40 (offensive) snaps wouldn't cut it. We definitely can't give up the yardage that we have previously.”

The keys for the OSU defense starts with filling run gaps, Young said, which will be a tougher task without big defensive tackle Christian Littlehead. He is suspended for the Fiesta Bowl after being charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia earlier this month.