Iowa State vs Oklahoma State football: Previewing the Cowboys defense
By Brian Spaen
Oklahoma State’s defense isn’t the strongest, but the linebacker corps could give Iowa State nothing but fits. However, the Cyclones do have a weapon that can counter the secondary.
Defensive line
- DE Jimmy Bean (#92, 6-foot-5, 250 lbs., Jr)
If Jim Bean can’t be contained by the Iowa State offensive line, Cyclone fans will be reaching for their Jim Beam pretty fast. Bean has 16 tackles (12 solo, 4 assists) this season and leads the team in tackles for loss (5) and sacks (3.5). He’s also forced two fumbles. ISU’s been battle tested with tough defensive ends and that will aid them in trying to hold off Bean.
Linebackers
- SLB Josh Furman (#14, 6-foot-2, 202 lbs., Sr)
- MLB Ryan Simmons (#52, 6-foot, 235 lbs., Jr)
- WLB Seth Jacobs (#10, 6-foot-2, 220 lbs., So)
The leading tackler on the Cowboys is Simmons who has 31 total tackles (22 solo, 9 assists), 3 tackles for loss, and 1 sack, but probably the most dangerous player in the linebacker corps is Furman. He’s had the same amount of TFL as Bean and and has just one less sack. Included is three pass deflections, so he can both get in the opponent’s backfield and wreak havoc while also defend his man.
Completing the linebacker core is Jacobs who has 27 total tackles (11 solo, 16 assists) and two interceptions as just as sophomore. This could be the toughest linebacking corps that Iowa State has faced this season.
Secondary
- CB Kevin Peterson (#1, 5-foot-11, 185 lbs., Jr)
Peterson is sixth on the team with 15 total tackles (14 solo, just 1 assist) and leads the team with six pass deflections. He also has a pick on his record. Larry Stephens is just as dangerous as the strong safety, so these two players will be causing the most problems in the secondary.
The key here is size, and Allen Lazard can cause a mismatch on the entire secondary. The tallest player in the secondary is backup SS Tre Flowers, who is 6-foot-3 but just a redshirt freshman. Lazard still has a couple inches on him. This could be a game that the freshman sensation could breakout and have a big day.