The wait is nearly over and tomorrow at this time the folks in Stillwater will be gearing up to hit the tailgating lot while the rest of us rush to get the list of chores done before settling in to watch the Jacks face-off with Big 12 foe, Oklahoma State. The Jackrabbits are coming off of their second consecutive FCS Championship and have the making of a team that could three peat. However, there are a number of unknowns for the Jacks even though we have a strong belief in the talented youth that is stepping forward to replace a legendary senior class. In addition, the match-up with Oklahoma State presents it’s own set of challenges with a VERY experienced 2-deep, tremendous offensive skill, and a cohesive and talented offensive line.
Here are the things the Jackrabbit Illustrated team is keeping an eye on for this matchup.
What to Watch
Make them kick field goals
The Pokes are going to move the ball. Their offensive skill is just too good. However, can the Jacks defense stiffen up after the Cowboys rattle off a big play or two and keep them out of the end zone? That will be BIG and go a long ways towards determining the outcome of this game. Furthermore, Oklahoma State is breaking in a new field goal kicker, although he has punted and handled kick-off duties the prior two years. Last year, he did also go 7-7 on PATs in the final two weeks of the season.
First Game Jitters
The Jackrabbits have a number of new pass catchers that will be playing their first meaningful snaps for South Dakota State. How do they respond? Will there be focus drops or will there be carelessness with the ball or guys trying to fight for extra yardage only to have the ball stripped. We sure hope not but until players are in the bright lights, you never know how they will respond. Hopefully there are some calls early in the game to get some of the young pass catchers involved and to help them get settled in from the jump.
New Faces in the Trenches
The Jackrabbits have plenty of new faces to the lineup for the #605Hogs and in the rotation for the #ChainGang. Offensively, how does Ethan Vibert look now that he finally gets his chance after 2+ years of being a key reserve? How will Quinten Christensen look in his first true start at left tackle after playing in just a jumbo package a year ago? Does Sam Hagen’s transition back to tackle goes as smoothly as it sounds like it has? After two years of stability, it is weird to have questions about the offensive line.
On the defensive line, there are plenty of guys that we know but there role has really expanded. Will Max Baloun, Zach Wilson, Levi Vanden Bos, Randy Keumonge, and Aaron Wolfcale-Holsten be able to go from role players to big time contributors? How will young studs like Bryce Hawthorne, Logan Green, and Reis Kirschenman hold up in their first real action against first stringers? Again, we have really high hopes for this group but we haven’t actually seen it yet in a game. We’ll find out on Saturday!
Gang Tackle
If you don’t know who Ollie Gordon is at this point, you haven’t been paying attention. The Oklahoma State running back may be the best offensive skill player the Jacks have ever played and if not, he ranks right up there with Illinois’ Rashard Mendenhall and Juice Williams along with Minnesota’s Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman.
When you watch, Ollie’s highlights he has the ability to make the first guy miss and then the speed to take it to the house. Over the last few years, the Jacks have been relentless in their pursuit. They will need to be this way on Saturday. Luckily, the Jackrabbit linebacker corp is experienced, technically sound, and has excellent speed. Adam Bock, Graham Spalding, Caleb Francl, and Daeton Mcgaughy all will be ready. The newer faces that get into the rotation will have to match the intensity and play fast and physical. Gordon averaged 6.1 ypc last season while the Jacks allowed just 3.2. However, Gordon and his offensive line are unlike anything the Jacks saw last season. The Jacks must rally to the ball and gang tackle Gordon to get him on the ground to prevent the homerun, momentum tilting, type of runs that he is capable of.
Win the Turnover Battle
Whenever an FCS team plays against an FBS team turnovers matter more than normal and normally they are a HUGE indicator of success anyways. If the Jacks can take advantage of a careless pass from OSU QB Alan Bowman, who tossed 14 interceptions last year, it will give the team momentum, may make OSU hesitant to pass the ball, and allow the Jacks to focus on stopping the run a bit more. The Jacks have the talent and experience in the backend to play solid coverage against a talented group of wide receivers. The Jackrabbit’s forced 19 interceptions last year so this group knows how to snag the errant throw.
On the flip side, Mark Gronowski has been terrific in his career at SDSU about not making the costly mistake or turnover. Last year he had just 5 interceptions and in 40 career starts he has just 13. He knows how to take care of the ball. That must continue in this one because OK State will be looking to take the momentum and energy any way possible.
Key Matchups
#50 Gus Miller (6-3, 295) vs. #93 Collin Clay (6-4, 330) and #97 Justin Kirkland (6-3, 345).
Rarely do we see size like Clay and Kirkland possess at the FCS level. With OSU playing a 3-3-5, Gus will have one of these two head-up on him most of the day. Kirkland has supposedly has a 225# bench press of 51 reps. That is insane strength. Gus is known for winning the leverage battle. He will need to do that against these two in order for the Jacks to have any semblance of a rushing attack.
#3 Amar Johnson vs. MLB #4 Nick Martin
It is believed that Amar is the next NFL running back for the Jackrabbits and he has already made both the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl Watchlist for this draft cycle. As just the second string running back, Amar has amassed 1,850 yards from scrimmage and has shown the big play ability that has fans excited to see what he can do as the lead dog. Likewise, Martin is a Senior Bowl Watchlist member a year after collecting 140 total tackles and 6 sacks! The guy is a freak! Obviously, the run game is more than just one player vs. another but we’re intrigued by what kind of day Amar can have against this defense.
#7 Dalys Beanum vs. #1 De’Zhaun Stribling
#4 Steven Arrell vs. #10 Rashod Owens
#1 Tucker Large vs. #80 Brennan Presley
The Jacks don’t usually matchup or follow wide receivers with certain cornerbacks. We’re curious if this game may be an exception as the big 3 pass catchers for Ok State play very different styles and roles in the offense. Stribling has some good speed and great hands. He missed most of last season due to injury but was on pace for a monster year after transferring from Washington State. Owens is the most physically imposing of the group and he is a good route runner. He is not a burner but is fast enough and his highlights show a player that isn’t afraid to muscle defensive backs up. Presley led the team in receptions and OSU spams him with targets on bubble screens, wide receiver screens, quick hitches, etc to get him the ball quickly and draw the defense up. His small stature and short area quickness may present some challenges and Large may be the best bet to come down to combat that. Again, this is a really nice trio of wide receivers and is a supped up version of what UNI trotted out on the field the last few years in terms of quality pass catchers.
This should be a fun one as it is always good to see how the Jackrabbit stack up against the FBS.
Go Jacks!
Alex, Ben, Brendan, Chad, Dallas, Jake, and Matt
