Daily Bullets (May 19)

Are We There Yet?

The annual “Is Texas back?” game this year is when Gundy’s boys make it down to Austin.

10. Oklahoma State Cowboys at Texas Longhorns, Oct. 21

What’s at stake: First-year Texas coach Tom Herman might not have a team that’s ready to knock off a national-title contender such as USC on the road in Week 3, or to defeat another CFP hopeful, archrival Oklahoma, during the Red River Showdown one week before this game. But at some point in the season, Texas needs to show things will be different under Herman, who inherits a much better roster than his predecessor, Charlie Strong, did.

A midseason takedown of talented Oklahoma State in Austin would provide a morale boost for Longhorns everywhere. Oklahoma State, meanwhile, should come in undefeated if it survives a Week 3 trip to Pitt. Herman is known for offense and quarterback development, but Texas must make upgrades on defense under new coordinator Todd Orlando. An Oklahoma State attack led by QB Mason Rudolph and the nation’s best receiving corps will provide a great test. [ESPN]

This is the epitome of being a helmet school. When you make a list like this playing a team that’s pre-season higher ranked than you and you haven’t beaten them in your stadium since 2008.

I don’t know if this was ripped from Longhorn Network programming content but it’s frustrating (to me) that the dark horse CFP contender is somehow “the test” for a team that hasn’t had a winning record since 2013.

An Uphill Battle

OSU has the toughest road schedule wise per CBS (on an odd year!).

1. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State Cowboys will play the most difficult schedule in the Big 12 this season, and it’s not hard to see why right from the jump. Two of the Cowboys’ three nonconference games will be on the road this season against Pitt and South Alabama Jaguars . Before that, they’ll open the season with a tough Tulsa Golden Hurricane team.

In conference play, the Cowboys will play both Texas Longhorns and West Virginia Mountaineers on the road in consecutive weeks in late October, only to return home to take on Oklahoma Sooners the very next week. The good news is that the Cowboys’ load will lighten in November with both Iowa State Cyclones and Kansas Jayhawks , but this is a team that could be rather worn down by then. [CBS Sports]

At South Alabama is far from Savannah State and the Leathernecks of Western Illinois, they had a second rounder in the last draft. Pitt lost their stud QB and running back to the NFL and their offensive coordinator to LSU, but still, Power Five on the road.

It goes on and on but until Kansas comes for senior day, there’s not really a “gimme” on the schedule.

Also, OU plays at Ohio State and is No. 6 on this list.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Cowgirl Tennis takes on Georgia Tech in the Sweet 16 tonight at 6 p.m….Rudolph becomes the all-time leading passer at Oklahoma State in week one or two?….Pokes have the Big 12’s No. 3 d-line after losing a guy to the draft….Texas lost an impact wing to ‘Bama but added a lottery talent at center yesterday….Jeff Carroll goes 41 in a way-too-early mock for 2018

Bedlam rained out last night, doubleheader today in OKC with first pitches at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Baseball anyone? #Bedlam pic.twitter.com/XhyadYoSGn

— John Helsley (@jjhelsley) May 19, 2017

Cardiac Cowboys, fo’ real.

2017 promises to be a thrilling season. Fortunately, thrilling wins like this have been a specialty of ours the last couple years #okstate pic.twitter.com/ZDSyjM660H

— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) May 18, 2017

There’s plenty of good tape out there, Sam. Enjoy.

I’m not sure there’s a player whose tape I enjoy watching more in this draft class than Jawun Evans. pic.twitter.com/lhQx6iIsQm

— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) May 18, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• How new redshirt rules would affect Oklahoma State
• James Washington is continuing his quest for greatness
• Check the Reload and see who OSU is recruiting
• Loved reading about the best landing spots for Jawun in the draft
• A closer look at Jawun’s weaknesses
• Take a look at the top return men in Cowboy history (part 1 and part 2)

Other Stuff I’m Reading

Tram goes after the NBA Lottery, give me the wheel….Insane how Fallon has been affected just being somewhat moderate politically….Super impressed by the keyboard shortcuts on Gmail

Somebody, please pass along to Rattlesnake Mike.

Fla. man in critical condition after trying to kiss a rattlesnake, which struck and bit his tongue, authorities say. https://t.co/1X03BmdQAT

— The Associated Press (@AP) May 17, 2017