Best Case/Worst Case: What a Bye-Week QB Changes Looks Like for OSU

The Cowboys are on a skid, teetering on the edge of a abyssal downslide. And while time can heal bruises and aches, a bye week doesn’t offer much reprieve from the on-field ailments that have plagued Mike Gundy’s team.

The 14th-year head coach and his staff are certainly searching for answers — as little as he may panic — but one of the quickest, most obvious solutions is sitting on his bench.

Quarterback isn’t the only problem, but it’s a big one. And it’s the one position that affects every other one on the field, even on the defensive side of the ball.

So far it doesn’t appear that there are any impending changes on that front, but with a redshirt rule change that would allow either Dru Brown or Spencer Sanders the chance to play in up to four games without affecting their future eligibility, it makes little sense to not explore either (or both) of those options.

So if Gundy won’t (at least outwardly), than I will. Let’s look at the best and worst case scenarios (excluding injuries) based upon Mike Gundy’s three QB options for the Homecoming game against Texas.

1. Start Taylor Cornelius

Best Case: Cornelius somehow improves more over one extra week than he has over the previous seven. The Cowboys are able to upset Texas at home and can earn a postseason bid in Waco the week after.

Gundy and Corndog earn back some of the equity they burned the last two times OSU took their home field. And, obviously, both Sanders and Brown retain their redshirts.

Worst Case: The status quo. OSU moves to 1-4 in Big 12 play, the Cowboys are that much closer to missing the offseason with only four chances to win twice with three current top 15 opponents and a road game.

An assistant coach from Georgia slides into Brendan Costello’s DMs with a link to this post and some interesting dialogue on Mike Gundy’s track record recognizing in-house QB talent.

2. Start Dru Brown

Best Case: QB2 takes over and enjoys immediate success. If he commands the offense well, provides the team a spark and leads OSU to a Homecoming win over Texas, then you ride with Brown.

That allows him the chance to take the reins of the offense as the Cowboys head to Baylor in Week 9. At that point you’re playing from week-to-week trying to get Ws. Mike Gundy was absolutely here to do the quarterback shuffle for a season when he had Mason Rudolph, why not roll the dice to see what you can squeeze of these last five-plus games in the interest of Justice?

Worst Case: The Cowboys lose anyway, Brown isn’t ready and there’s a reason that Gundy’s rode with Cornelius that we couldn’t see from the outside lookin’ in. And Oklahoma State is right back on the trajectory it appeared to be on anyway.

3. Start Spencer Sanders

Best Case: Similar to the start of the second scenario but with a freshman. Sanders comes in, rocks, and breathes life into a barren program and gives direction to a rudderless offense.

OSU has found its QB of the future and that future starts now. The only issue is how you explain to Sanders and the team that he needs to sit out for the Armed Forces Bowl a la Christian McCaffrey to reserve his scarlet top.

Worst Case: Sanders also isn’t ready (or worse). The Cowboys still get smoked by the Longhorns. But if you’re banking on the reigning Mr. Texas Football to be your next franchise QB, you ride with him and let him gain experience that will pay off next season.

Or… you hit repeat with Scenario No. 2 against Baylor. Regardless, you still are in no worse off than what’s behind Door No. 1.