Point/counterpoint: What will be more important for OSU’s defense: corralling Colt McCoy or stopping Jordan Shipley?
By BRANDON CHATMON and JOHN HELSLEY, Staff Writers, bchatmon@opubco.com and jhelsley@opubco.com
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Published: October 31, 2009
→Brandon Chatmon: Stopping Shipley will be the key. If Perrish Cox can take Shipley one-on-one and shut the Longhorns’ standout receiver down, that frees up his teammates to make plays and it takes away McCoy’s first option.
→John Helsley: McCoy’s been terrorizing the
Cowboys throughout his stay at
Texas, well before Shipley became a factor. The QB is 3-0 against OSU, bidding for a career sweep tonight. When things break down, McCoy is fabulous at improv, as the Cowboys learned in 2007.
→Chatmon: McCoy has been stellar in the past, no doubt about it. But this season, it’s been Shipley who has been key. In the four games he has had 100 yards or more receiving, the Longhorns have scored at least 38 points. And I haven’t even mentioned the game-breaking threat he provides on punt returns. Take him away and slowing Texas gets a lot easier, the Red River Shootout proved that.
→Helsley: There, you mentioned the punt returns. Correct me if I’m wrong, but Texas won that Red River Shootout, right? And with a sick QB with a banged-up thumb. When McCoy is good, Texas is good. The fact that Shipley can be taken away makes corralling Colt, who can’t be taken away, more important.
→Chatmon: If you take Shipley away you force Colt to find other options, which gives OSU’s defensive line more time to get after him. Colt is going to make some plays but you can never underestimate how much it can help your defense to take away a team’s No. 1 receiver. And Shipley tends to play his best in big games.
→Helsley: I’m not underestimating Shipley; he’s a stud. But I’m sure as heck not about to underestimate McCoy and his freelancing abilities. Sure, with Shipley blanketed, McCoy must find other options. But he has a knack for that. And for beating OSU.
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P. Cox is the most underated player in the country and will blanket Shipley, just like he did AJ Green when matched up agianst him. But it's going to come down to Sexton, Booker to tackle the guy in space when he comes out of the slot....If they can't the entire defense will be on its heels.
Two keys in my eyes for the pokes, run and stop the run (which Texas hasnt shown).
Rohde's expertise is more attuned to covering Wal-Mart Grand Openings and Krispy Kreme reviews.