Shuffling positions at OSU: The depth chart released for Saturday's game at Kansas State lists senior Kurt Seifried as starting right guard. That could change come game time Saturday.
Redshirt freshman Andrew Lewis has worked at right guard the past week in practice and could see considerable playing time against the Wildcats. He has been David Washington's backup at center and played in the first three games.
The offensive line play has been heavily scrutinized by head coach Mike Gundy, who often has called the line's performance as "average" through four games. The line struggled at Houston as did the Cowboys' base, the power running game.
"They need to block better," Gundy said.
Lewis is not the only player to move positions during the open week. Scott Broughton switched from cornerback to wide receiver. Broughton, a junior college transfer, has not been able to crack either the first- or second-team unit at cornerback.
jimmyd: the guard position is becoming a bit of a mess. knew it would be problem in preaseason, and it isn't getting fixed.
Lineup shuffle at K-State: Besides making the change at quarterback with freshman Josh Freeman, KSU made other adjustments to its starting offense for this week's game.
Senior tailback Thomas Clayton was demoted from starter to the third team. True freshman Leon Patton will start. Clayton is K-State's leading rusher with 322 yards, but had a costly fumble last week at Baylor.
"It's a performance issue," coach Ron Prince said. "It's a matter of performance. I'm not trying to send a message."
Sophomore starting right guard Gerard Spexarth has been replaced by redshirt freshman Brock Unruh.
jimmyd: but it looks like OSU ain't the only one with issues. True fresh QB, true fresh RB, Rsfr G protecting both. Ouch.
Staying focused: Players are dismissing the notion of overconfidence entering Saturday's game. They have heard and seen Kansas State's struggles, particularly on offense in losses to Louisville (24-6) and Baylor (17-3), the past two weeks.
"You cannot look at things like that. Kansas State is a quality team. They have always been a quality team to me," linebacker Jeremy Nethon said. "You cannot look at a prior game and think that's how it's going to be for the rest of the season."
Said defensive end Marque Fountain: "They have some weaknesses, but they also have some strengths. You look at them like you at any other team. They're going to come out and not expect you to blow them out."
Call the plumber: Senior defensive tackle Larry Brown's eyes lit up when he heard that K-State was starting Freeman, a true freshman, at quarterback this week. "That's a lot of mistakes waiting to happen. We have to capitalize on that and create a lot of mistakes," Brown said. "We have to get a lot of pressure on him because pressure busts pipes."
jimmyd: Bingo!
Getting on the -3 while its still available. This game and Baylor are the only reasonable chances Okie St has of becoming bowl eligible. They would still have to defeat A&M also. At least they catch Baylor/A&M at home. At 3-1, the lose to Houston is really starting to hurt.
