Daily Bullets (October 18)

Happy birthday to my Dad, I had a great time watching OSU light up Baylor with you on Saturday.

The Secret Sauce

Mason Rudolph’s most helpful friend may not be James Washington, Aaron Cochran or Justice Hill… but receivers coach Kasey Dunn.

Dunn takes a two- or three-star recruit because they fit the needs better than a more highly rated recruit. As a result, there have been times when OSU was among only a few Power 5 teams to offer a scholarship to a receiver. Lots of recruiters shy from that; they’ll offer higher ranked players because if the player busts, it’s the player’s fault.

Take a lower-tier recruit who busts, and it’s on the coach.

But Dunn takes recruits not everyone wants and turns them into a receiving corps everyone covets. [NewsOK]

Dunn exposed an inefficiency in the market – players that fit the OSU system aren’t universally valued but turn into a Moneyball-esque proposition: a well-oiled machine.

Washington, McKleskey and Tyron Johnson all wide open for TDs. ? pic.twitter.com/IhzZk4Sx4F

— Adam Lunt (@AdamLunt817) October 17, 2017

Road Rage

Big 12 authorities really (didn’t) spare the rod with the next five weeks for the Pokes’ schedule.

The Cowboys, considering their three road games among the next four, may face the most challenging schedule among Big 12 contenders.

This week and next, they hit the road to tangle with quality teams in imposing environments. That’s some kind of setup to Bedlam and the No. 9 Sooners, who maintain a stranglehold on the series. By the time OSU returns from Morgantown, the Cowboys will have played five of their eight games on the road. Then after Bedlam, it’s off to Ames. [NewsOK]

@ UT, @ WVU, OU then @ Iowa State will be the defining legwork in an underachieving Alamo Bowl, a satisfying New Years’ Day game or a program-altering college football playoff appearance.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Big 12 players dominated the USA Today mid-season All-American team….CRFF peeks at OSU football’s efficiency metrics (special teams… woof)….Mason still top five in ESPN‘s Heisman Watch….Watch video on the Cowgirl soccer stadium’s construction….The AP highlighted Marcel Ateman

Apparently, this guy sparked the game-saving fourth quarter for the Mountaineers on Saturday.

Don’t know what this guy’s name is, but he was without a doubt the fan of the game on Saturday #WVU pic.twitter.com/P37UXNVqpd

— Ryan Decker (@NowOnDeck) October 16, 2017

Marcus Smart didn’t come to terms with the Celtics before the deadline on Monday night.

Sources: Marcus Smart’s agent and Boston remained fully engaged before extension deadline. No deal, couldn't bridge the gap.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 16, 2017

A third are Pokes:

PFF Week 7 – Big 12 Team of the Week – Offense pic.twitter.com/nBjhLiKfFt

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) October 17, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• Rudolph and Washington made the midseason AP All-American team
• J.D. King’s role is increasing down the stretch
• Adam looks into the resurgent play of the defensive line
• This on Gundy and relationships with his quarterbacks is great
• Gundy walks us through stopping the dynamic play of the young Texas quarterback

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• The Ringer dives into the $11 question for Netflix
• The only business safe from Amazon
• Looking forward to reading this book by Chip Gaines