Daily Bullets (November 1)

Battle-Tested

In preparation for Bedlam, it’s completely reasonable to believe that recent performances would have predictive value… especially considering how dominant and impressive the West Virginia defense had been this year.

OSU won 50-39, but don’t let the score mislead you. The Cowboy defense was pristine. Five takeaways. Twelve defensive stops. Twelve. The Mountaineers scored two late touchdowns after OSU took a 19-point lead, but pay that no mind. When this game was on the line, the Cowboy defense stiffened for the second straight game.

And this wasn’t against passing-challenged Texas. This was against one of the Big 12’s better gunslingers. [NewsOK]

It’s hard to imagine the sluggish, soft-tackling West Virginia defense is akin to the athletes OU will field but the slick offense is reasonable to comp… and that’s promising.

Relevant Rivalry

Bedlam has garnered national attention for a state possessing single digit electoral votes.

It’s the sixth time in the last 15 seasons that Bedlam has been selected for GameDay, which is not to be confused with exact science but is an excellent barometer of a game’s importance. GameDay rarely goes to games without a national buzz.

And it’s a sign that this rivalry has changed. Bedlam as a serious rivalry was born in wresting and went regional in basketball. But it’s gone national as a football series. All over the nation, I run into neutral people with no ties to the state that know about Bedlam. That awareness is fueled by football. [NewsOK]

It’s hard to fathom how significant the Bedlam matchup is on a national stage but that six out of 15 number says a lot of things.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Mason Rudolph in the pool of ten candidates in the Heisman running….The fall of Jim McElwain at Florida was fast and furious….Helsley has the pulse on OSU fans ahead of Bedlam….SI has the Pokes in the 70’s in their annual college basketball ranking….Get to know the College Football Playoff Committee

Not a bad starting point with two top fifteen teams left on the schedule.

Four teams in the first @CFBPlayoff rankings ?.

We’ll take it. pic.twitter.com/VIgJKBSLcd

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 31, 2017

Katz with a solid quick breakdown of OSU basketball:

Today, @theandykatz begins his Progressive #LegendsClassic preview series w/ @OSUMBB. See OSU in the Champ Rds Nov. 20-21 at @barclayscenter pic.twitter.com/vxNKnKw6Eq

— Legends Classic (@LegendsBBall) October 31, 2017

Cowgirl Soccer hops into action today.

We're ready. ?

The #Big12SOC bracket is set. See you in Kansas City! pic.twitter.com/9oRu2C5EVC

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 28, 2017

Some solid backs in the league this year for sure.

?! pic.twitter.com/Edbz9OG6ZV

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 31, 2017

A top three road uni combo for sure.

Week 9 UNISWAG Countdown

#7 @CowboyFB #uniswag pic.twitter.com/QvhV6hF3sJ

— UNISWAG (@UNISWAG) October 30, 2017

Leach is a riot. Could the guy be employed anywhere actually on a map?

This exchange with a reporter on the phone wins the day from the Leach press conference. #WellMyMyMy pic.twitter.com/AJCaIHi2hy

— Evan Closky (@KREMEvan) October 31, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• PFB’s projections for the first CFP ranking (Pokes landed just outside the top ten)
• Gundy says the Cowboys and Sooners steal each other’s signals
• Brad Lundblade has brought stability back to the offensive line
• Don’t miss the pod where Carson and Porter’s dads make a return
• This is fascinating – does Gundy really have an OU problem?

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• How major newspapers got people to pay for content
• David Brooks on irrational thought and influence is interesting

In earnest preparation for this year’s video, here’s 2016’s “I ate your candy.”