Daily Bullets (Nov 6) – Penalties are Expensive, Gundy Looking at Benching for Penalties

Go out and vote, all the Cowboys are doing it. 

Gundy said two months ago they had all their players register to vote. That’s pretty cool. #okstate

— Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) November 5, 2018

Shot in the Foot

When OSU considers what went wrong on Saturday, there were a number of suboptimal performances. But one performance across the board cost the Pokes the game.

I will point to the 12 penalties for 133-yards. Penalties of lack of discipline like false starts that cost the Cowboys maybe a touchdown, but surely a field goal. A chop block penalty for the third time in four games, those should never happen to an offense that is on the same page and if it does and it is two offensive linemen, then in my mind that is unforgivable. The defensive penalties were atrocious. I can forgive most pass interference unless it is out of laziness. I can forgive face mask, although I wish A.J. Green would pick a different launch point for his arms in tackling. Try not to tackle high, it’s not good fundamentals for sure. I cannot forgive late hits, especially when players are going out of bounds. I cannot forgive unsportsmanlike conduct, and I really can’t forgive roughing the passer. What planet have you been living on if you don’t realize that every man wearing a black and white stripped shirt is not laser focused on protecting quarterbacks.

The penalties kept Oklahoma State from conservatively scoring six points and helped Baylor to score at least 10 points. The math there is a total of 16, meaning without the influence of those 12 penalties the score likely would have been 37-25 Oklahoma State. [GoPokes]

With how widespread the penalties were, it’s hard to narrow down much more than the offending unit. But it’s just a flag here or there that flips the script on a game.

A League of their Own

Marcus Smart has found a niche in the NBA where he’s lumped in with a couple of other players with Oklahoma-ties.

“The thing is, he’s a point guard,” marveled Al Horford, then one of Millsap’s Hawks teammates. “I honestly can’t think of anybody (like him).

Ainge brings up two other players who can leave a similar impact without the threat of a consistent outside shot: Andre Roberson and Tony Allen. The Celtics drafted the latter wing in 2004, starting a run in which Ainge prioritized toughness in his prospects. Ainge’s draft history is no coincidence. He believes it grows more and more difficult to survive without elite competitors as the playoffs advance.

“The further our team goes, the more valuable Marcus becomes to our team,” Ainge said. “Everybody wants that guy on their team.” [The Athletic $]

Tony Allen and Marcus Smart are crown jewels in a long line of defensive stoppers to hail from the white maple with enough offensive prowess to merit a place in the league. In an age of basketball where offense reigns, it’s the capacity to frustrate, lockdown, and irritate that secure the livelihood of these former Cowboys.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Love Gundy’s Sutton-esque idea: bench guys who deviate from his expectations….Looking at the Big 12 title race….Nine games in and the Cowboy defense is still looking for answers

Brees to Bryant would be fun.

Saints are bringing Dez Bryant in for a workout tomorrow, per @SlaterNFL pic.twitter.com/W1mKrL6LU9

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 6, 2018

Outside of a 64-year-old Les Miles, I’m not sure if there’s a name out there that wants this job.

#Kansas coach David Beaty says he received a call mid-morning Sunday from athletic director Jeff Long. They met at noon, where Long informed Beaty he had been fired. Beaty said it was a "businesslike" conversation and he's "grateful to Jeff" for being able to finish the season.

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 5, 2018

Yesterday on PFB

• OSU opened as a heavy-underdog in Bedlam
• A top-ten wrestler committed to come to OSU
• Five best moments in Bedlam series history (football)
• Carson and Porter talk with OU writer in latest pod
• Brief history of Bedlam lines

Stuff I’m Reading

• Morning routines of the most productive
• Against Walden-ponding
• An interview with a 35-year-old dying of cancer