Daily Bullets (February 3)

Cowboy Blues

As folks dig into the Knowles’ hire, there are fun (and not fun) comps to be made.

Duke’s defense this season, combined with Oklahoma State’s offense, would have been tough to beat. The Blue Devils were top 25 in points per drive allowed and top 20 on third downs. That third down number became huge for Oklahoma State at times this year — TCU was 11-of-19 on third downs in its win over OSU in September.

In three of the past four seasons, Duke’s yards per play, points per drive and third down numbers were better than OSU’s 2017 marks. [TulsaWorld]

Can you imagine a defense constantly pushing Rudolph and Co. being back out on the field? My goodness.

Reloading the Program

Oklahoma State, like other programs, has found some great talent through their walk-on program – and here’s the latest on this year’s crop.

Along with the addition of C. Mbari Snoddy the Cowboys also have walk-on pledges from Tulsa Union linebacker Braden Spicer, linebacker Carson Kropp of Class 6A-I State Champion Owasso, statistically the top receiver in the state in Jacob Morris of Newcastle, and from the state of Texas standout defensive end Cutter Cleveland of Rockwall.

Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy has always been willing to put the money (scholarship) where his mouth is since he first became the head coach in 2005. [GoPoke$]

Love giving the in-state guys a chance, it sets up for some really fun videos three years from now. And we can dream that one of these guys gets added to a list like this:

Names like Brandon Weeden, Tyler Johnson, Bryant Ward, Dan Bailey, Jeremy Seaton, Blake Jarwin, Brad Lundblade, Taylor Cornelius, Britton Abbott, and Chance Cook that have made big contributions on Saturdays. [GoPoke$]

OSU and NCAA Notes

New transfer rule could shift power back to the coaches….Should Dallas draft James Washington?….Neat story here about a Cowboy basketball manager….Boynton has had some great Februaries, we’ll see how this one starts off today in Lawrence….How Princeton beat Alabama for a four-star quarterback

Expert troll job by the Canes.

So, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow?

We can handle six more weeks of 75° and ?. pic.twitter.com/DJ9T3zThU5

— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) February 2, 2018

Hadn’t thought much about why people take analyst gigs places.

Sonny Dykes took an analyst job at TCU last year in part because he thought SMU could open in a year.

It did. My Q&A with the new Mustangs head coach on his plan: https://t.co/sPsfCyTX0p pic.twitter.com/uCj8pu4Gkc

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) February 2, 2018

Alert: Significant others of Cowboy fans.

Throwback Cowboys Script long sleeves online now! @OSUWBB @OSUMBB @pistolsguys @OSUAthletics https://t.co/wm65XcVQVO

— Chris' Univ Spirit (@ChrisUnivSpirit) February 2, 2018

World-class.

Class act, @RickieFowler.

Fowler honored 7-year-old Griffin Connell by wearing a pin on his hat Thursday. Griffin passed away recently after battling a rare airway disorder.

Rickie called Griffin his No. 1 fan. pic.twitter.com/CsJEmweWEQ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 2, 2018

Can’t possibly imagine being in that courtroom in that guy’s shoes.

WATCH: The father of victims of ex-USA Gymnastic doctor Larry Nassar lunges at Nassar in court after saying to judge, “I would ask you to as part of the sentencing to grant me 5 minutes in a locked room with this demon.” https://t.co/KltZISbi1m pic.twitter.com/Am0N4gZzsT

— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 2, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• Fans are split on the Jim Knowles’ hire
• OSU offered a lot of Texans in the latest Reload
• Boone talks with new beat writer Luke about the Super Bowl, OSU wrestling
• Breaking down Rudolph’s capacity to make all the throws
• Love these – the latest on OSU in social media

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Basically, if Gronk plays, Philly is in trouble
• They were Super Bowl heroes – then they weren’t

NFL Players read mean tweets – love these.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maaWSIlDizs&w=647&h=388]