Daily Bullets (March 12)

2011 Team Comparisons

Gundy embraces expectations but gives a sign to watch for.

Together, Rudolph and Washington propelled the Pokes to a 30-point rout of Pac-12 South Division champs Colorado in last season’s Alamo Bowl, which was remarkably reminiscent of Weeden and Blackmon’s game in Oklahoma State’s 26-point victory over Arizona in the 2010 Alamo Bowl. That victory set the stage for the Cowboys’ championship campaign in 2011.

“I think there’s a lot of truth to some carryover,” Gundy said. “There are times a team finishes strong and starts the season well.”

Gundy said in 2011 it wasn’t until his team began steamrolling the opposition early in conference play that he realized it was good enough to contend for the national championship.

“Once we got into the early part of October and we were playing conference games and we were blowing peoples’ doors off, I thought, ‘Man, we are pretty good,’” Gundy said. “So then you get into cruise control; don’t mess it up. Don’t overcoach and let them play. But when you’re playing teams in the league that know you, and you’re winning by three and four touchdowns pretty handily, pretty easily, then I thought we were pretty good.” [ESPN]

The Pokes stormed into the off-season, apparently increasing the likelihood of a strong start. The schedule looks nothing like a Baylor-debut, we should get some feedback sooner than later if we’re 2011’ing.

But how amazing was that “blowing peoples’ doors off” feeling for Gundy and staff? After all the Vince Young and Jorvorskie Lane nightmares, to walk into those stadiums just knowing you own the place must have been incredible.

Mason’s Pro Prospects

No. 2 checks in at no. 3 on this list with some high praise.

I get the sense that I’m a bit higher on Mason Rudolph than some, but believe me when I tell you that NFL teams are going to be all over him after next season. He just checks all the boxes of what NFL teams look for in a quarterback.

He has the size at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, and he definitely has the arm. Rudolph fits balls into windows that a lot of other college quarterbacks just can’t — though they’ll try anyway — and he’s accurate while doing so.

That’s why he been able to complete 63 percent of his passes the last two seasons while averaging nearly nine yards per attempt. It’s also why he had seven times as many touchdowns (28) as interceptions (four) last season.

While he won’t start at the top of the list — I mean, he’s No. 3 here, and I love him — I wouldn’t be surprised if Rudolph is considered the top guy in the 2018 class by this time next year.  [CBS]

Mason “checks all the boxes of what NFL teams look for in a quarterback”. We see Rudolph under a 13 game microscope but in the greater college football universe, he’s pretty spectacular.

There’s no behavioral red flags (he doesn’t act like an idiot in the Ozarks) and he’s got that Dak Prescott “I played for four years and set all the records” look all over him.

We’ll have keep an eye on who’s tanking in the NFL next fall, as Fornelli “wouldn’t be surprised if Rudolph is considered the top guy in the 2018 class by this time next year”.

OSU and NCAA Notes

How a key member of Underwood’s staff is preparing for OSU’s first opponent….Here’s an updated Bubble Watch and the five toughest decisions the committee is facing…. Frederickson takes a peek at the contenders to fill in at cornerback….Cowgirl Equestrian beat down Fresno State on senior day…. Cowgirl Softball moved to 2-1 on the weekend splitting games against Bowling Green and Ole Miss….A couple of OSU mile runners made All-American

Make plans to join the team tomorrow as they learn their @MarchMadness opponent! Doors to the @OKStateAlumni Center open at 4 p.m. #okstate pic.twitter.com/eD1ipcuZmg

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) March 12, 2017

Swing by the Alumni Center at 4ish if you’re in Stillwater tomorrow, word is CBS will do a live look in.

That's a wrap from Kansas City! ?

Next up: @marchmadness Selection Sunday at 6 p.m CT on CBS. pic.twitter.com/DmVzKgabB9

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) March 12, 2017

Iowa State brings homes the hardware for the third time in four years, CBS has them up to a 5 seed

#OKState finishes No. 2? ? https://t.co/RfKRKUiETR

— Hayden Kyle Barber (@HK_Barber) March 12, 2017

Could also totally get behind this logic

What You Missed on PFB

• Awesome Bracketology update from Boone
• BleacherReport says no better deep threat than James Washington
• Just because: Baker Baker Touchdown Maker taken down early in his scramble