Daily Bullets (Oct. 16): Mediocrity Trending, Bowl Projections for the Pokes

Pokes landed an east Texas defensive lineman last night.

Bullets Rundown

• New (not ideal) trend being set in Cowboy Football
• Bowl projections for the Pokes
• Chuba Hubbard’s award hopes

OSU Bullets

• Bill Haisten nails the “state of the program” over the last couple of years – take in the whole piece if you’ve got a few minutes.

During a stretch of 44 games in 2014-18, the Cowboys were 35-9.

Over its last 16 games, Oklahoma State is 8-8.

The first of those 16 games was a 41-17 home loss to Texas Tech. The most recent of the 16, played on Oct. 5, was a 45-35 setback at Texas Tech. As Spencer Sanders was intercepted three times and lost two fumbles, the Cowboys were minus-5 on turnovers.

Since recording six 10-win seasons during this decade, the Cowboys have been undermined by self-inflicted mediocrity. They’ve developed two nasty habits: losing in home games and losing to opponents that have less talent. [TulsaWorld]

As much as a game/moment weighs on your mind, one instance does not a trend make. But the 8-8 number is the epitome of mediocrity. Homecoming is just as good a time as any to break out.

• Viktor Hovland is stringing together an incredible streak of rounds in the 60’s

• Take a look at these bowl projections for the Cowboys and see if any suit your fancy.

ESPN: OSU vs. Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl
CBS Sports: OSU vs. Utah in the Alamo Bowl
247: OSU vs. Pitt in the Camping World
Banner Society: OSU vs. Mississippi State in the Texas Bowl
McMurphy: OSU vs. Kentucky in the Texas Bowl [PFB]

The SEC teams would be snoozers – Mississippi State lost to K-State and Kentucky lost their Oklahoman that carried the load at QB. I’ve seen enough Pitt for a lifetime – and I’m still not over Larry Fitzgerald taking the Biletnikoff from Rashaun Woods. The gold medal would be Utah in the Alamo with A&M in the Texas Bowl being a close second.

• ProFootball Focus has Chuba Hubbard joining Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor on their midseason All-American team.

First-Team RB: Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State
Even with a week off in Week 7, Hubbard still possesses a 278-yard advantage over the next closest running back in terms of total rushing yards. He’s gained 1,094 on 163 carries, averaging a ridiculous 6.7 yards per carry and has run national-best 26 carries of 10 or more yards.

He’s got great vision and great burst through the holes as he’s dealing with inferior run-blocking in front of him than the likes of fellow First-Team RB in Taylor. [PFF]

It’s hard to tell how that last bit will impact awards – will they be extra impressed or just claim the yards are empty calories, empty numbers an output of a system? I’d have to think that 2,000 yards punches your ticket and puts you in the conversation.

• Taylor Cornelius was drafted by the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL yesterday (Jarrell Owens went to New York as well)

• I’m not sure what kind of feedback Rudolph will be able to provide but nice to have this crew back on campus judging dunks

Confirmed #OKState dunk contest judges for Homecoming and Hoops on Friday:

Mason Rudolph, Markel Brown and Andrea Riley.

— Joseph Fazio (@JosephDFazio) October 15, 2019

Non-OSU Bullets

• A brief-history of Dallas Cowboys’ fans calling for Jason Garrett’s job

• The modern NBA dictionary

• This faith-based read on assuming good motives was solid

How the two-hour marathon was broke:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14xZ8iiFPYc&w=1349&h=480]