Daily Bullets (January 31)

State of the State

As OSU football transplants in a new defensive leader, here’s a quick catch up on what he’s walking into.

Oklahoma State has been dropping eye-opening stats for this entire decade with four seasons in which their QB threw for 4k yards (Brandon Weeden in 2010 and 2011, Rudolph in 2016 and 2017). They have a better run/pass balance than most teams in college football due to their “spread-I” formations and creative use of RPOs, traditional play-action, versatile TEs, and zone running.

Yet despite all those gaudy numbers and five top 10 S&P+ offenses this decade, they have a single B12 title and no national championships or playoff appearances. Why? Defense, they haven’t played good defense since the early part of the decade. [Football Study Hall]

It’s a harsh reality that the Pokes are a ten percent better defense away from maybe multiple more league championships but if Gundy keeps producing program changing quarterbacks, the comparison between Knowles and Spencer will be easy.

A Head Scratcher

I’m just not sure about how the tenth assistant strategically fits into the OSU coaching puzzle.

Instead Gundy has opted to strengthen his recruiting by hiring former Oklahoma State and Philadelphia Eagles defensive end and outside linebacker Greg Richmond to the position.

Richmond has most recently been on the staff at Fairmont State in West Virginia. Richmond will assist on defense with the defensive line helping current defensive line coach Joe Bob Clements. Richmond could also help some with linebackers as well. [GoPokes $]

Hiring an extra defensive line coach to help the strongest position? Seems a bit irrational but I’m in if Richmond turns out to be an ace recruiter.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Baylor and Iowa State proposed a rule change – immediate eligibility if the coach leaves….Tyron highlights!….South Alabama (2018 non-con opponent) hired a savvy new coach ($)….Rudolph won the South Carolina Heisman

A neat gesture from the Frogs last night.

Thank you, @CoachDixon for thinking of the #okstate family before today’s game. pic.twitter.com/IXDJlLWEMR

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) January 30, 2018

The progressive thinning out of Pete’s chaps is a thing.

These @OSUPistolPete pins are one of my favorite mini-collections. I'm always looking for these little guys…Pete is without a doubt the best mascot in all of college sports. These likely run from the early 70s to the 90s or early 2000s. #GoPokes #okstate pic.twitter.com/YKgvRE17SH

— Doug Shivers (@casdas29) January 30, 2018

An OSU commit wrestling a world champ on Friday.

Yes! #SuperMatch pic.twitter.com/DKZHOBi013

— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) January 29, 2018

Cross country reloading with some in-state talent.

.@BartlesvilleXC senior, #okstate signee Rilee Rigdon is Gatorade girls state cross country runner of the year https://t.co/kjXKjQJSpk #okpreps via @MikeBrownTW pic.twitter.com/irDDDuLYTE

— OSU Sports Extra (@OSUSportsExtra) January 30, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• Instacap from the TCU loss last night
• A look at Jim Knowles’ defenses – by the numbers
• Gundy’s hire was uninspiring at a crucial juncture of the program
• The recruiting pedigree of Jim Knowles
• Carson and Porter talk the new DC, Mike Boynton and Alex Noren in the latest pod
• Lots of offers went out in the latest Reload

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Liked this from HBR on questions to ask other than “what do you do?” when meeting someone
• Seth Godin differentiates between two important ways of asking a question
• Cal Newport shared a letter from a Founding Father giving a full schedule to his son
• Clippers trading Blake Griffin to Detroit/Siberia may have made my week