Daily Bullets (August 23) – Pat Jones Gives His Optimistic Win Total, Yurcich Making Short Lists, Death of the RPI

Ten Wins or Bust

Former Cowboy head coach-turned-radio personality Pat Jones has the Pokes winning double-digit games this fall.

OSU has a streak of three consecutive 10-win seasons, and Jones expects a 10-2 regular season from the 2018 Cowboys: “I came out of the spring thinking eight or nine wins, but now I’m thinking 10. I like the devil out of Oklahoma State’s schedule. They could be 7-0 going into the Texas game. I think they will be, unless they get beat up in some sort of crazy way. These OSU kids have won a lot of ballgames. They have a lot of momentum. They practice that way.” [TulsaWorld]

High praise from the former Cowboy boss. The biggest question mark most pundits come across is quarterback – and Coach Jones didn’t shy away from his thoughts on Yurcich’s quarterback room. Spoiler – his tenor majorly affects his win total prediction.

Jones on the Cowboy quarterbacks: “I think (Taylor Cornelius) is way better than people are expecting, and I think (backup) Dru Brown is a credible player. Cornelius is the guy. Dru Brown is the wild card in this deal. With what I saw, either one of those kids would start at Arkansas right now. Two years from now, I think we’ll speak glowingly of (OSU freshman) Spencer Sanders.” [TulsaWorld]

Most Eligible Coordinators

Mike Yurcich made ESPN’s list for top coordinators that could be looking to take a head coaching job in 2019.

Mike Yurcich, Oklahoma State: The coordinator Mike Gundy found on the internet could soon be leading his own program. Yurcich, 41, was in the mix for Kent State’s coaching vacancy last winter but can aim a bit higher. Now making $800,000 annually, Yurcich can be selective but would be a good choice for upper-level Group of 5 jobs, especially in the MAC, American or Conference USA. [ESPN Insider $$$]

If they could afford him, places like Memphis (assuming Norvel gets a head coaching gig), Tulsa, or Arkansas State would be great fits. Maybe a little Western Michigan-rowing the boat and Yurcich would be in the Big Ten in no time.

OSU and NCAA Notes

NCAA is ending it’s use of RPI – moving to “NET”….Conventional wisdom and counterpoints on AP’s Top 25 teams….Why did Urban Meyer hire Zach Smith in the first place?….Bill Connelly on Chip Kelly was a solid piece….See the 2018 pre-season All-American team

Urban Meyer findings and verdict came out last night – suspended three games.

Dez Bryant was once suspended 10 games by the NCAA for chillin with Deion Sanders. https://t.co/iRabu98VHp

— Saad Yousuf (@SaadYousuf126) August 23, 2018

Chamberlain Cobbins headed to the nation’s capital to play for the expansion G-League team.

Former #OkState Cowboy Michael Cobbins goes to Capital City https://t.co/OdJKh3i8Ub

— Brian Brinkley (@BrianBrinkleyOK) August 22, 2018

Follow up from yesterday’s news that Tech’s running back in trouble – JK guys.

This quote from the DA on charges being dropped against Texas Tech running back Da'Leon Ward: "I'm sorry the young man got arrested. He should have never been arrested; the case should have never been filed." https://t.co/ttkhfQ9dKE

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) August 22, 2018

Expert negotiating by Texas A&M here.

Texas A&M guaranteed Jimbo Fisher $75 million. But if another school hires Jimbo away, that school will owe A&M …

wait for it ….

drumroll …

ok i'm gonna tell you:

ZERO DOLLARS https://t.co/F9CR1S4G9P

— College Football by SB Nation ? (@SBNationCFB) August 22, 2018

…and their return on investment has been fantastic so far. Part one in coach’s back peddling yesterday.

Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher tonight on allegations against his program by former LB Santino Marchiol (transfer to Arizona) in @DanWolken USA Today story: pic.twitter.com/s7A7HLbZzK

— Brent Zwerneman (@BrentZwerneman) August 21, 2018

Yesterday on PFB

• Boone talks us into OSU winning ten games in 2018
• “What if Ronald Jones didn’t flip to USC” is blogging at it’s finest
• Who will be “the guy” on OSU’s defense in 2018?
• OSU’s top running back target is committing today – and he appears to be leaning purple
• Three man weave on concerns about the 2018 football season

Stuff I’m Chewing On

• Interesting thoughts on government conspiracy theories
• Why a terrible internship experience can be incredibly instructive
• Where does James Bond go from here?

This heist story is incredible.