Daily Bullets (May 16)

Bedlam in the Pros

A TulsaWorld columnist made the argument that Mason Rudoph could start for Pittsburgh before Baker Mayfield does for Cleveland.

Ben Roethlisberger is a 36-year-old quarterback who has fought knee, shoulder, head, foot, hand, finger, thumb and rib injuries. And that’s since he got out of bed and stretched.

I’m on record as predicting Rudolph will supplant Landry Jones as Roethlisberger’s backup. If he doesn’t, something has gone wrong.

The Steelers drafted Rudolph one year after drafting quarterback Josh Dobbs to unseat Jones. That is admitting a terrible mistake, and also believing that Rudolph can fix that mistake.

So it’s a race, then: Does Roethlisberger get hurt before Browns starter Tyrod Taylor gets demoted? [TulsaWorld]

While it’s highly probable (darn near guaranteed) that Baker will start first, the extent of Roethlisberger’s injuries is definitely alarming. And that he was brought in to put Steelers’ leadership at ease is equally encouraging.

Surviving the Gauntlet

While I don’t agree with the take that 8-5 is the ceiling for the 2018 football team, how much the last five games of the season will define the team is spot on.

The last five games are going to be crazy tough. OSU will host Texas after the bye but an improved Texas team catches this rebuilding Cowboy team and beats them for the first time since 2014. Following a tough loss, the Cowboys bounce back and beat Baylor on the road before the iron gauntlet where they play Oklahoma, West Virginia and TCU. Best-case scenario (IN MY OPINION) they go 1-2 during the final three games.

That puts this “rebuilding” year at a final record of 8-5. I’m sure many Cowboy fans will want to sharpen their pitchforks, but I see this season a lot like the 2014 season for Mike Gundy. [Heartland College Sports]

Texas (at this point) is a pick em’, playing after a bye will only help. OU, West Virginia, and TCU will be where the hay is made.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Pokes extended their lead on day two of golf regionals….Cowboys not currently projected to host a baseball regional….Cracks are forming in the Pac 12….Teams with the best odds for signing Dez Bryant

Congrats to the former Cowboy who looked great in his first serious outing since having Tommy John (h/t to Nick for catching)

Too many K's to fit into one GIF!@Heandog8 matched his career high in strike outs with 10!
?????????? pic.twitter.com/ZqfzItkZk0

— Angels (@Angels) May 15, 2018

Ubben is exactly right. Bowlsby needs a second home in Phoenix.

Big 12 would be wise to begin cuddling up to Arizona, Arizona State with expansion in mind before leagues begin negotiating their new TV deals. The fissures in the Pac-12 have never been wider. https://t.co/O8vMdnx5Io

— David Ubben (@davidubben) May 15, 2018

State of affairs going into the final weekend.

It's all come down to this… a #Big12BSB championship on the line in Stillwater on the final week of the regular season! #MeetMeAtAllieP #GoPokes #okstate pic.twitter.com/8JbjDEWu5B

— Cowboy Baseball (@OSUBaseball) May 15, 2018

This man will get paid this summer.

This is it. This is the Peak Smart box score. pic.twitter.com/AWjxt8fJKd

— Ryan Bernardoni (@dangercart) May 16, 2018

Join Mike B’s summer book club.

Off the grid for a couple of days days… And will be sharpening my toolkit. I promised my team that I will get better this summer. Here we go!!! #Committed2Excellence #C2E pic.twitter.com/IXXe7SESpk

— Mike Boynton (@thacoachmike) May 15, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• Rudolph and Washington made some plays during rookie camp, got some attention
• Recruiting talk – looking at the future of the defensive tackle position
• Spencer Sanders part three – great thought on recruiting rankings
• A couple of Pokes are trying to make the world team in Minnesota
• Jason Witten thinks Dez Bryant will fit on another storied franchise

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• This on curiosity and it’s link to intelligence was interesting
• Love Jon Acuff – “21 Things No One Tells You When You Graduate” for the recent grads
• Newport on a writing barn seems like a trend that will catch on (pretty much Porter’s shed, right?)