When it comes to Coach Howard Schnellenberger’s “advanced training” schedule, Oklahoma State has done more to educate the Owls than any other opponent.
In each of the past two seasons, the Cowboys defeated the Owls. In 2005 at Dolphin Stadium the Cowboys won by the score of 23-3 on national television. Last season was even worse when the Cowboys won 48-8 in Stillwater.
After a confidence-building win over Middle Tennessee State, this season the Owls look to keep the game a bit closer. However, when Appalachian State upset Michigan last weekend, it served notice to the rest of the Football Bowl Subdivision (the former DI-A) that they better be prepared for so-called “guarantee games.”
“All the great traditional teams across the country that are playing Division I-AA (FCS) teams and teams like us and the Sun Belt Conference are going to really, really make sure they don’t overlook us and make sure, make really sure, this doesn’t happen again,” said Schnellenberger.
They call them guarantee games because an established football powerhouse like Michigan gives a minnow like Appalachian State a huge check ($400,000 in this case) in exchange for an easy season-opening victory. Somebody forgot to deliver the script to the Mountaineers because they walked all over the Wolverines in the Big House and collected almost a half million dollars to do it.
FAU has been known to play some guarantee games of its own. But, the Owls are eager to shed the image of a team that can be had for a price.
“We haven’t come close to a win against Oklahoma State and it is going to be hard to get a win out there,” Schnellenberger said. “But, playing that game at Oklahoma State and then coming back and playing Minnesota in Dolphin Stadium will be important to the long term development of this team.”
Cowboys Preview
Oklahoma State is coming off a season-opening 35-14 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens. The Owls get the pleasure of facing a team seeking its first win of the season in its home opener.
The Cowboys have not lost a game to a current member of the Sun Belt Conference since they fell to North Texas in 1978. They are 19-1 all time against the ‘Belt.
OSU is coached by the top quarterback in their history. Mike Gundy holds records in passing and total yards. This year he tutors junior quarterback Bobby Reid who ran for 500 yards and passed for over 2,000 more to go with 24 touchdowns in 2006. Reid threw for 191 yards and one touchdown and one interception against Georgia on Saturday.
In addition to Reid, another offensive weapon for the Cowboys is pre-season first team All-America wide receiver Adarius Bowman. Last season Bowman was arguably the best player at any position in the Big XII Conference. He caught 60 passes for 1,181 yards and 12 touchdowns during the Cowboys 7-6 season.
Defensively the Cowboys are a veteran unit, starting six seniors and three juniors. Defensive end Nathan Peterson was second-team all Big XII last season when he recorded eight sacks. The secondary also is talented and could give the young and inexperienced Owls receivers some problems. Andre Sexton is one of the top safeties in the country.
The cowboys also boast a top return man. Perrish Cox seems to break off a big return every game and the Owls most likely will not be able to benefit from special teams blunders like they did against MTSU.
The FAU Owls play the Oklahoma State Cowboys this Saturday at 7 p.m. at Boone Pickens Stadium.
