Daily Bullets (May 2): Diving Into the Cowboy Defense

“Intelligence is something we are born with. Thinking is a skill that must be learned.”
— Edward de Bono

Bullets Rundown

• So what defense does OSU run again?
• Epic Cowgirl – Sooners series upcoming
• Jelani’s game is developing

OSU Bullets

• Ragusa looking at the difference between a true 4-2-5 defense and the 3-3-5 the Pokes often ran last year was fascinating.

Unlike with the 4-2-5, there are three linebackers, giving the offense less opportunity to find a true “conflict” player to attack on their run-pass-option plays. From the 3-3-5 look the Cowboys are also able to more easily switch coverages and move around their linebackers and safeties to flow with any pre-snap motion the offenses might show. [PFB]

• Hard to believe some of the numbers around the epic Cowgirls-Sooners softball series coming up this weekend.

In advance of the Friday game — the biggest regular-season game ever played at OSU’s Cowgirl Stadium — the challenge for Oklahoma State is clearly defined. Against an OU squad that hasn’t lost since Feb. 22, the Cowgirls need a three-game sweep to secure what would be their first conference title since 1995. It would be the OSU program’s first sweep of OU since 1993. [TulsaWorld]

45 game win streak vs. 11 game win streak, 15-0 vs 13-2 in league play… Wow.

• Something that slipped by the Spring Open Practice was a pleasant development in Jelani Woods’ game.

That was evident Saturday as a lot of targets went to redshirt sophomore Jelani Woods, whose 6-foot-7, 265-pound frame is tough to miss.

“He has changed his body in here and become a better blocker up front,” Gundy said. [Newspress]

If Woods can stay on the field for some of those Britton Abbott/Sione Finefieuaki downs from last year, the threat he can be to a defense goes up exponentially.

• For Les Miles, the only way to go is up.

• Here’s who Cowboy Golf drew in the Louisville Regional:

The defending champs are headed to the Louisville Regional and 12 other teams are joining them! #NCAAGolf pic.twitter.com/Zp5HAPQdbW

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 2, 2019

• Jordy Mercer went yard last night for Detroit.

SOLO. HOME. RUN. Jordy Mercer brings the @tigers within 2! Finish this game out with us now on FOX Sports Detroit! #MotorOn pic.twitter.com/NM8d9KnXuK

— FOX Sports Detroit (@FOXSportsDet) May 2, 2019

Non-OSU Bullets

• A strong take comparing China’s totalitarian online monitoring and what we allow in the west

• Avoiding stupidity is easier than seeking brilliance – this reminded me so much of the Dwight Schrute – “do not be an idiot” clip from The Office

• Glad to see Buffett and I both roll with the Dave Ramsey plan and pay cash for things