Daily Bullets (December 31)

Elite Handoffs

The Camping World Bowl was emblematic of a transition soon to be – from Rudolph and the receivers to the next generation of Cowboy offensive stars.

“Very proud of the seniors that are moving on,” Cowboy coach Mike Gundy said as he stood on a temporary stage with several of those seniors during the postgame trophy presentation.

But then he pivoted toward the younger players standing on the turf in front of him.

“Now we’ve got to pass the torch.”

(Dillon) Stoner and (Justice) Hill are poised to pick it up. Thursday night in Orlando was evidence of that. [NewsOK]

It feels sort of *gasp* 2012-ish doesn’t it? Prolific underclassmen running back (Joseph Randle/Justice Hill) and deadly slot receiver (Josh Stewart/Dillon Stoner) stepping up to replace an all-time offensive unit?

Take it a step further – highly-touted dual-threat quarterback from Denton (J.W. Walsh/Spencer Sanders) coming in to compete with unheralded system expert, veteran (Clint Chelf/Taylor Cornelius).

Bedlam to Blame

Is OSU to blame for the defensive resurgence down in Norman?

During Thursday’s Rose Bowl media session, Oklahoma senior safety Steven Parker said that the Sooners’ pride took a toll on the defense and that “practices were chippier” after giving up 52 points and 661 total yards to the Cowboys, according to the Norman Transcript’s Tyler Palmateer. [Oklahoma Diehards]

Maybe so. Or maybe, as the article notes, it’s hard to find a better offense than the one the Cowboys fielded this fall. Or one more motivated to beat the Sooners.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Cowboy draft prospects past the big stars….Stoops to Riley and smooth transitions….Details around Mike Gundy finding Mike Yurcich….One of the more dynamic pieces grading this season’s new football coach hires….Interesting coaching moves: LSU parting ways with their OC, Florida State considering Prime Time?

A growing sentiment among Cowboy faithful.

Always appreciate Mike Boynton’s candor. No different tonight. “I think everybody’s surprised that we don’t look horrible. I think that’s kind of like, what everybody’s waiting, like, why does this team not suck? I don’t buy into that. I think we’re pretty good.” #okstate pic.twitter.com/pcvcIRGk15

— Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) December 30, 2017

The universe corrected itself and a back-of-the-endzone play went well for Iowa State. Nice to see them get a W for the Big 12.

Just how they drew it up… #LibertyBowl pic.twitter.com/1E3RicsLbL

— CFB Gif'er (@CFBgifer) December 30, 2017

Cowgirls take on K-State tonight but killed it earlier this week, nearing 100 again.

Final from Lubbock! #okstate narrowly misses the century mark for the third game in a row! The Cowgirls win for the ninth time in 10 tries against Texas Tech. pic.twitter.com/WIMATqCB0q

— Cowgirl Basketball (@OSUWBB) December 29, 2017

Woof.

Trae Young made 39 points and 14 assists seem like nothing today. #OKState sees him in four days.

— Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) December 30, 2017

You love to see this stuff around the sport.

In all this scrum of the @OhioStateFB game kudos to Tyquan Lewis who was trying to help the ? lady for @espn showing tremendous character. Those times r when character really shows. pic.twitter.com/qCYA6vNJBQ

— Steve Thompson (@EurekaAD) December 30, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• Boynton had some poignant remarks post-West Virginia
• Pokes took advantage of the drives they had in the Camping World Bowl