Daily Bullets (January 11)

Just Off the Podium

TulsaWorld’s Guerin Emig is giving the Pokes a solid pre-season power ranking (fourth) – and pointing to the right question.

Seems that 2018 swings on Gundy’s go-to position. If you’re anticipating the arrival of Spencer Sanders and wondering if a true freshman can capably take the reins from an upperclassman like Rudolph, maybe you should rewatch the second half of the national championship.

This isn’t to say Sanders is the second coming of Tua Tagovaiola, but we can deduce this much: Either you have it or you don’t. The Cowboys had better hope Sanders has it. [TulsaWorld]

It’s so wild how Gundy can cover up holes with a quarterback and Texas can’t fill up enough hills to cover the gap at quarterback.

Scoring by Committee

Can three talented offensive players equal one Jawun Evans?

The Cowboys’ offensive stars, like Jeffrey Carroll and Tavarius Shine, maintain team-first attitudes. Graduate transfer Kendall Smith is working to find the best ways for him to lead the team at point guard.

“Every single play is competitive,” said Smith, who transferred from Cal State Northridge. “You can’t take plays off. And when you’re a leader on the team, you’ve got to come out and prove that every single night.” [NewsOK]

It’s really nice to have a team-first approach – and it’s easy to cheer for. Feels like that’s a big differentiator in college basketball and the pros. As long as somebody’s on to take that last shot!

OSU and NCAA Notes

Sign me up for four-games-and-redshirt….Porter chats with HCS about the 2017 season….Check the initial Heisman odds for 2018….Nick Saban’s dynasty is climbing the charts (and he’s got quite a following)….See how USA Today graded OSU’s 2018 season

This could be saucy, shades of O’Brien at Penn State here.

SOURCES: Baylor coach Matt Rhule interviewed for the Indianapolis Colts head coaching vacancy earlier this week. Rhule, who completed his first season with the Bears in November, spent the 2012 season as the New York Giants offensive line coach. He is… https://t.co/5w6H7o0aqJ

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 10, 2018

Talk about staying power.

Congratulations to @jjhenrygolf and Charles Howell III on making their (at least) 500th @PGATOUR start this week.

The @SonyOpenHawaii will be Henry’s 500th start and Howell’s 503rd. pic.twitter.com/FQNMBe28Yz

— PGA TOUR Media (@PGATOURmedia) January 10, 2018

Props to OSU GA for landing this gig.

Welcome to the Sun City, Remington ⛏#UTEPFB #WeAreMiners pic.twitter.com/MdEmr8RLeB

— UTEP Football (@UTEPFB) January 10, 2018

The new ones are growing on me but I’ll take what Big Country’s got in first.

It's a tradition #GoPokes #okstate @OSUMBB @cameron_mcgriff @osusportsphotog #ncaabasketball pic.twitter.com/0BjYshW9I5

— Doug Shivers (@casdas29) January 10, 2018

Bob Stoops is a shoe-in for this.

CFP executive director Bill Hancock said he has a list of about 60 candidates to replace the six outgoing committee members this year, and he will announce the six new committee members in the next few weeks. When asked if he has contemplated having… https://t.co/clY1qeSeVy

— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) January 9, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• Catch the Instacap and Five Thoughts from the close loss in Manhattan
• Pokes are 100-to-1 odds for the title next year
• Porter’s five predictions for 2018 are solid
• Bowl season revealed the Big 12 doesn’t play defense – but that’s not all
• A look at the newest wrestling recruits

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Find what your treats are
• Seth Godin talks about new habits
• NYT shares the secret of parenting from Brooklyn to Mumbai