Daily Bullets (Aug. 31): Most Viewed of the Day, Offensive Line had to Dominate

This may be the best summary of last night – Oklahoma State Football is so much fun to watch.

Bullets Rundown

• The offensive line had to win
• Depth chart chatter (looking back)
• Boomer out for the year

Scores

• Football: Pokes 52, Beavs 36

OSU Bullets

• As impressed as I was by the triplets (Sanders/Hubbard/Wallace), the offensive line had to win the day – Bill Haisten called it here before the game.

Everyone wonders about Oklahoma State’s quarterback situation, but neither Brown nor Sanders can be excellent unless the line is solid.

When the offensive line is good, everything is better. QBs feel more secure and confident. Possessions are extended. The defense is on the field for fewer plays. [TulsaWorld]

Watching Chuba Hubbard pick up eight-yard runs in the first half and walk-in for scores in the second was so fun to watch. Texas will really tell us how good the line is but the line took care of business last night.

Since it appears that #OKState might have its first elite O-Line since the Wickline days, it’s worth marveling at the fact that these guys have averaged roughly 40 ppg for the last 6-7 years with lines that ranged from unspeakably bad (‘14) to just pretty good.

— Cayden McFarland (@caydenmc) August 31, 2019

• Most Viewed of the Week (No. 1): First Depth Chart Released

The shockers (and misdirection) were both there – Malcolm Rodriguez moving down into the box probably had the most shock value. There had been some other shuffling in the box (Antwine and Mike Scott not starting particularly) but pulling down the sub-200 pound-grappler to play in the box indicated a move toward the dime (from nickel) defense.

And how about that misdirect at the QB spot? Dru-or-Spencer was either a gamesmanship move or a kind gesture towards Dru Brown about how much of a fight he put up.

• Most Viewed of the Week (No. 2): Grayson Boomer Out for the Year

What Grayson Boomer appears to bring to the table is the capacity to change a game through the air and possess the capacity to block well enough. It was a bummer to hear the former four-star recruit tore up his knee in camp, especially after fellow receiving threat Jake Ross hung up the spikes.

But who knows, maybe the temptation to play Boomer behind Jelani Woods would have been too great.

• Most Viewed of the Week (No. 3): Oregon State Coach Talks Pokes Game (Earlier in the Week)

Back to an earlier thought about the quarterback bluffing on the depth chart, it’s a benefit not to name it when you hear the Oregon State head coach talking about not preparing for a guy but for a system. My assumption is that splitting quarterback reps is detrimental to the development of the guy who will play but so is a defense preparing for different quarterbacks.

And just to give the Beavers a benefit of the doubt, I’m going to assume some of the defensive injuries he alluded to (particularly in the front seven) really played a part in Chuba’s career day.

• Most Viewed of the Week (No. 4): Initial Depth Chart Observations

We covered the two biggest pieces (QBs and Mal-Rod at linebacker) but the other could be the defensive line updates. Guys like Cam Murray and Brandon Evers, folks who had been in the system, won gigs over the transfers (junior college and Antwine).

I didn’t particularly expect Sione Asi to win a gig (he seems like a scheme-guy where they would plug him at the noseguard spot in a three-man front) but Antwine not winning the job over Murray did surprise me. Murray hadn’t been able to break into the lineup for a solid rotation spot and you could make the old Spencer Sanders over Dru Brown argument (invest the reps and let him reach a higher ceiling).

• Most Viewed of the Week (No. 5): Kick Time/TV Info on the OSU Matchup

It was 1:30 a.m. when the TV went off at the Mandeville house, these 9:30 kickoffs are for the birds. Just glad I don’t live in the Eastern time zone!

Non-OSU Bullets

• This faith-based read on Andrew Luck and his admirable behavior was great – football is worse off not having a standup guy like Luck out there for kids to look up to

• As a friendly extrovert, I loved these tips for how to make yourself easier to get to know

• Bible verses involved but good for all, the “prudent person” rule concerning retirement planning

• I’ve got opinions but this viewpoint of “opposite genders being best friends” was fascinating – especially the part towards the end about how intertwined a betrothed couple gets

• This may be my favorite tweet from last night – I’m not ready for the first road game when my two-year-olds are awake. Big Mickey fans in the Bullets’ house.

I know my place and I've accepted it. Also, our family has never been closer pic.twitter.com/AkmA0em3fV

— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) August 30, 2019