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	Friday, December 13, 2002 Players to Watch: No. 7 Kansas State vs. No. 1 Oklahoma By Will Weiss BCSfootball.com JOSH SCOBEY   School: Kansas State Year: Junior-TR Position: Running Back Ht/Wt: 6-0, 205 Hometown: Oklahoma City, Okla. Year Games Rush-Yards Avg. TD Rec-Yards TD 2000 12 160-696 4.3 16 4-29 0 Career 12 160-696 4.3 16 4-29 0 Since losing to Oklahoma and Texas A&M, Kansas State has diversified its offense, and Josh Scobey has been a major player in that. Scobey took more of a featured role in the backfield when David Allen sprained his ankle, adding depth to an already stacked corps of running backs. His success has taken pressure off of quarterback Jonathan Beasley. He gained 33 yards on six carries in the Wildcats' first meeting with Oklahoma, but he should garner at least 20-25 touches on Saturday when the teams play for the Big XII championship in Kansas City (ABC, 8 p.m. ET). In the Wildcats' victories over Nebraska and Missouri, Scobey averaged 24 carries and scored three touchdowns. A strong runner with good speed to the outside, it's up to Oklahoma's front seven to gain penetration on the line of scrimmage and get to him before he makes his move, something that both NU and Mizzou have done in the past two weeks. In those two games, Scobey averaged a mere 2.1 yards per carry. A big game from Scobey will open things up for Beasley, and K-State's option and passing attack. He is one in a slew of weapons at Bill Snyder's disposal, and with an extra week of preparation and a second shot at Oklahoma, Scobey will be used to the fullest. J.T. THATCHER   School: Oklahoma Year: Senior Position: Free Safety Ht/Wt: 5-11, 225 Hometown:Norman, Okla. Year Games TT-Solo INT TD PR-Avg. TD KR-Avg. TD 2000 11 53-35 8 1 36-16.4 2 11-24.0 0 1999 12 0-0 0 0 4-36.5 1 0-0.0 0 Career 23 53-35 8 2 40-18.4 3 11-24.0 0 Last year, J.T. Thatcher played sparingly on defense and was a special teams standout. This year, the Norman, Okla. native has added his name to the number of talented defenders who've helped lead the Sooners' meteoric rise. And he, along with his cohorts, have steadily improved as the season has progressed. "They're very sound in their coverages and they try not to give up the big play," says K-State offensive coordinator Ron Hudson. Thatcher is part of a secondary that has wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks, picking off 22 passes and returning five for touchdowns. Thatcher's eight INTs and 16 pass deflections lead the Big XII Conference and the 5-foot-11, 225-pound senior is gaining accolades around the nation. All this despite being benched earlier in the season. Thatcher will be the most important component to the defense, aside from OU's talented trio of linebackers Rocky Calmus, Torrance Marshall and Roger Steffen. Look for him to double-team K-State burner Quincy Morgan, along with corner Derrick Strait. In October, Morgan caught five balls for 123 yards despite the constant double-teaming. Morgan is used to facing double coverage, and expects the same treatment on Saturday. "I hope not, but they probably will," says Morgan. Playing solid defense is only one dimension of Thatcher's ability. His punt and kick returning skills have broken open several games this season. His average of 16.4 yards per punt return ranks eighth in the nation and he returned punts for scores against Arkansas State and Baylor. "When the teams are out there punting, I would not run to the refrigerator to get a snack because it could be the best part of the game," says ABC analyst Bob Griese. In their first meeting of the season, Thatcher followed a Jonathan Beasley touchdown with a 93-yard kickoff return that set up Seth Littrell's 2-yard plunge, giving the Sooners a 10-7 lead. The Sooners took that cue and proceeded to a 31-14 halftime lead, and cruised to a 41-31 pasting of the Wildcats. If Thatcher is effective in either of these vicinities, Oklahoma could very well be playing for the national championship on Jan. 3. Will Weiss is the assistant editor of BCSfootball.com.	ALSO SEE Big XII Championship ABC analysts break down Kansas State-Oklahoma Fowler: Two schools of thought on OU-K-State 1998 Big 12 Championship Game: To Sirr, with love ... or not 5 things to watch Tirico: K-State has its chance Danielson: It's Heupel's to win or lose Arute: All eyes on Kansas City Kiper: BCS hinges on Big 12 title game AUDIO/VIDEO  Bob Stoops looks ahead to the game against Kansas State. wav: 225 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 SEARCH Keyword ESPN.com The Web

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