Daily Bullets (August 30)

Silver to Start

ESPN has the Pokes at second in their Big 12 Power Rankings flagging some good, specific cues to watch for.

Provided these Cowboys stay healthy, they’ll put up the points. The question is whether the defense can create turnovers, get off the field on third downs and force field goals instead of allowing touchdowns. The development of its young corners will be critical if Oklahoma State is to upend the Sooners to capture a second Big 12 crown. [ESPN]

Do two out of those three well (create turnovers, get off the field on third down and force field goals) and Yurcich’s offense will run more laps than an Indy 500 around any opponent.

Lone Star Regulars

Thursday will be a meeting between two teams that are similar in a unique way: a majority of players will be from Texas.

The Cowboys have regularly made the state of Texas its main recruiting territory. And no other state in the country outside of the Lone Star State claims more Texans on its roster than OSU, with 52.

Perhaps surprisingly, Tulsa ranks second with 42.

The list of FBS programs with the most players from Texas:

1. OSU 52

2. Tulsa 42

3. Oklahoma 41

4. Kansas 40

5. New Mexico State 37

6. Louisiana-Monroe 23 [NewsOK]

It’s likely the football success that draws the Texans north – I’d argue how similar Oklahoma and Texas culturally makes it a comfortable move too.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Five Cowboys made ESPN’s preseason All-Big 12 team….15 college football games to watch this weekend….Pat Forde thinks Bedlam is one of the top seven rivalries in CFB today….Really good piece on Bob Stoops’ exit from college football

A classy move by the Bears, kudos.

Baylor coach Matt Rhule said Harvey evacuees will have free admission and food at Saturday's Baylor-Liberty game.

— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 29, 2017

Props to a Cowgirl who’s been killing it.

Two @CowgirlSoccer players and a @KUWSoccer goalie went a collective 4-0 on the weekend to earn #Big12SOC weekly awards. pic.twitter.com/WHaY1mRYrB

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) August 29, 2017

Hope you kept your eclipse sunglasses – you’ll need ’em looking at these gaudy Michigan unis.

ALL MAIZE#GoBlue #GoMaize 〽️ pic.twitter.com/rp0I1aGCmb

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) August 29, 2017

Here’s to hoping Thursday goes so well Gundy is shaking his head to stay awake again.

Mike Gundy recalls the last time #OKState faced @TulsaFootball – when lightning delays resulted in a game that didn't end until 3:33 am. pic.twitter.com/c6hZRtEZTh

— Cayden McFarland (@caydenmc) August 30, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• These PFB predictions for the 2017 season were a blast
• Thomas masterfully breaks down the TU offense coming to town
• How has OSU split the run/pass ratio in the Gundy era?
• Philip nails it with a fun, insightful interview with Tulsa beat writer Kelly Hines
• Southwell joins Carson and Porter to talk unis on the latest pod

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• The insane story of the last time Houston was evacuated
• How Afghanistan has clogged the resources of empires since the 1800’s