Daily Bullets (Sept. 18): Why OSU-K-State Will be on ESPN+

The Texas game is sold out – there’s going to be a lot of disappointed Longhorns. 

Bullets Rundown

• Why OSU-K-State is on ESPN+
• OSU’s a legit 3-0 team
• James Washington’s growing potential

OSU Bullets

• It’s a fascinating decision: what is the Big 12 doing giving the OSU-K-State game to ESPN+?

The Big 12 Conference announced Monday that the Sept. 28 game between Oklahoma State and Kansas State would be on the digital platform ESPN+. An interesting decision, since the Cowboys and Wildcats are both 3-0 and seemingly worthy of a more traditional broadcast outlet, but not necessarily surprising. [TulsaWorld]

The article basically explains the purpose is to highlight the new “network” – obviously to push folks to subscribe. It’s kind of the perfect storm to have so much intrigue around two teams in the middle tier.

• When considering contenders and pretenders in college football, 3-0 OSU should be considered a legitimate team.

Oklahoma State (19). Record: 3-0, with wins over Oregon State, McNeese State and Tulsa. Dash rating: Legit.

This looks like a very on-brand Mike Gundy team: unheralded preseason and now looking like a problem for the rest of the Big 12. Gundy has plugged in his latest productive quarterback — freshman Spencer Sanders — and let him distribute the ball to a pair of stud skill position players.

Receiver Tylan Wallace (15 catches, 390 yards, six touchdowns) and running back Chuba Hubbard (521 rushing yards, seven TDs) lead the nation in rushing and receiving yards per game. Keep them healthy and the Cowboys will be difficult to stop. [Yahoo Sports]

The idea of an “on-brand Mike Gundy team” is what’s giving credibility. Gundy puts out wave-after-wave of highly talented offensive triplets capable of overcoming mediocre (at-best) defenses.

• It almost goes without saying but James Washington will dramatically benefit from Mason Rudolph taking over as the Steelers’ quarterback.

With Rudolph at quarterback and his obvious rapport with Washington, it wouldn’t be a shock to anyone to see Washington see significantly more targets throughout the rest of 2019. Get ready to see the two connect for some big plays like they were back in the Big 12. [ProFootball Focus]

Pointing to their preseason connections (and collegiate… obviously), there’s plenty of reason to believe Washington’s star will shine brighter with Rudolph’s ascension.

• Lindy Waters continues to positively use his influence on the Native American population

• Great piece here by Seth looking at how Pickens’ funding impacted the athletic department

• This was interesting – the actual guys on OSU’s roster with Texas scholarship offers:

Best I can tell, the number of players who held OSU and UT offers and landed at OSU is actually 3: RB Deondrick Glass, WR Langston Anderson, TE Grayson Boomer. Heard UT tried to poach Tyler Lacy on signing day eve, too, but he stuck with #okstate. https://t.co/c3s0lgjKmm

— Kyle Boone (@PFBoone) September 17, 2019

Non-OSU Bullets

• A five-minute email rule sounds good

• Finished the last Harry Potter book yesterday – phenomenal

• Solid faith-based thoughts on habit – place, plan, and plate