Daily Bullets (October 27)

Opportunists

College football games hinge on a few plays that dramatically shape their trajectory and looking back on Texas, it’s still wild to see how things could have taken a major turn.

If OSU had just taken care of the business that was presented — don’t fumble inside the 10, score on short-yardage situations, make a short field goal, catch a wide-open touchdown pass — then the Cowboys would have won 27-10 and we wouldn’t be having this conversation. [NewsOK]

That’s the thing about this team – they’ve been equal parts Baylor/Pitt and TCU/Texas and it’s a blast that we get to see more sample size each week.

Flip A Coin

A couple of ESPN analysts had some pointed thoughts on picking the WVU-OSU game, see which one resonates with you more.

Trotter: We know West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen will put the game in quarterback Will Grier’s hands. After watching Oklahoma State hand off over and over into a wall in Austin, who knows if Mike Gundy will do the same with Mason Rudolph.

West Virginia 34, Oklahoma State 30

Khan: West Virginia will try to do defensively to Oklahoma State what Texas did from a scheme standpoint, but the Cowboys will have a better plan for it this time around. No way they’re held to less than 20 again.

Oklahoma State 42, West Virginia 35 [ESPN]

Therein lies the question – run it and bludgeon an overmatched, underperforming WVU defense… or run it, flounder and pray the young corners hold up.

Transferred Floor General

OSU’s perimeter defense should be much improved this season, particularly with a bigger point guard.

The Cowboys should be able to utilize (point guard Kendall) Smith in different ways. He’ll be important at the point, where he averaged 4.8 assists per game last season and also shot 37.5 percent from 3-point range.

But his size also gives OSU versatility. Coach Mike Boynton could play Smith and Averette side by side without giving up too much in size defensively.

It should make OSU a better defensive team on the perimeter, with Evans and Phil Forte’s minutes going to players such as Smith and sophomores Lindy Waters and Thomas Dziagwa, 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-4, respectively. [TulsaWorld]

This feels so much like the Anthony Hickey transfer – smart, experienced floor leader providing much needed offensive firepower and leadership.

OSU and NCAA Notes

USAToday staff doesn’t have a lot of confidence in the Pokes in Morgantown….Brad Lundblade shared some well-spoken thoughts on the tragic homecoming crash….West Virginia’s quarterback is the fourth most well known of his siblings….A look at the CFB Playoff going into week nine

Also, the only league to have half it’s members in the top 25.

5️⃣?? pic.twitter.com/ySO7Q6GOU2

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 26, 2017

Happy late birthday to the OSU, New Mexico State and Wyoming’s mascot.

Our mascot is cooler than yours. Happy 157th birthday to Frank "Pistol Pete" Eaton, the original Cowboy. #okstate pic.twitter.com/UaQPMv2uwv

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) October 26, 2017

Here’s the whole conference schedule for next fall (OSU’s here).

Big 12 announces 2018 conference schedule: pic.twitter.com/hesdGSrfli

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) October 26, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• Oklahoma State released it’s 2018 football schedule
• How good is Oklahoma State’s defense?
• Three things to know about West Virginia
• Carson and Porter talk West Virginia – and how conservative the Pokes may play there
• Mike Gundy is a $4.2m bargain
• Shirtless Gundy is up at the West Virginia football complex

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• How analytics has changed the NBA
• While I wouldn’t do it – you could read 200 books a year giving up social media
• The Greek Freak looks incredible, a shoe-in for the NBA MVP
• Don’t let small tasks drowned out your big ones