Daily Bullets (July 13)

Good Not Great

Gundy got the raises for his assistants he was holding out for… but is it enough?

In the most recent batch of raises for Oklahoma State assistants, offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich received a raise from $500,000 to $600,000, while defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer got a boost from $600,000 to $675,000.

By comparison, the SEC had at least ten assistant coaches making $800,000 last season, with six making over $1 million per year.

To put this in more of a Big 12 football perspective, Oklahoma State spent $3.31 million on their assistant coaches last year (up to $3.64 million this season). At Iowa State, the university paid their football staff $3.23 million combined last season. [Heartland College Sports]

While OSU is competitive in the Big 12, it’s hard to imagine assistant coach pay (and the resulting continuity) doesn’t factor into recruiting.

A Shot at the Belt

Tulsa at Oklahoma State is perceived as the American Athletic’s best shot at making some noise.

Remember how Houston’s season-opening beatdown of Oklahoma last year spiked the AAC’s street cred (at a time when the Big 12 was considering expansion, no less)? This game could yield a similar result. [Tampa Bay Times]

Seems to be a hot take considering AAC teams will play at Michigan and Notre Dame… right?

Backup Battle

Mike Yurcich lines us out on where the backup quarterback battle stands.

“That is the million dollar question and the one I get hit on the most,” Yurcich told me a couple of days ago. “It is a good question and one that we are going to continue to try and figure out going into fall camp.

It has been determined that it is between Taylor (Cornelius) and Keondre (Wudtee) right now. That is where we are at right now and that battle will continue in fall camp.” [GoPokes $]

The article mentions expecting a redshirt for the already bulky (6’6″, 240 pounds) Jelani Woods and John Kolar being out of the race. Feels a bit like a Clint Chelf vs. JW Walsh competition.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Jawun Evans talks about his NBA Draft experience….OSU’s playoff contention discussed in this ESPN pod (~18:30 and 33 minutes)….CBS picks the Pokes last in the Big 12 in preseason power rankings….Ole Miss dumpster fire update: coach and university sued by (Cowboy alum) former head coach Houston Nutt

Mercy, more air than (Air) Bud.

Air Mason. pic.twitter.com/Rs0Nynkcd9

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) July 12, 2017

Rickie’s the best. Here’s his Open wardrobe.

"My home away from home will always be Stillwater, Oklahoma," @RickieFowler #okstate #golfschool https://t.co/bG3BrnmoQS pic.twitter.com/utuhIdavT8

— Oklahoma State Golf (@OSUCowboyGolf) July 11, 2017

Stillwater Southwest: an OSU transfer, former OSU commit and a freshman. And all our old offensive line commits.

No "frontrunner" for the starting QB job at A&M yet, Sumlin says. Jake Hubenak, Nick Starkel and 5-star freshman Kellen Mond all in the mix.

— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) July 12, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• OSU landed four on the All-Big 12 preseason list (see our ballet here)
• Roundtable: the crew talks through where a juco safety will wind up
• Contribute to PFB – you know it’s worth it
• Markel Brown’s summer league play hit a snag
• Come join the team at PFB as an intern

Other Stuff I’m Reading

The balance of working and not working (resting)….Three things to know about desire

🙂

Peyton Manning just roasted Kevin Durant at the #ESPYs. Russ didn't bite on it. pic.twitter.com/fIyW6j683C

— Up The Thunder (@UpTheThunder) July 13, 2017