Daily Bullets (September 19)

Stellar Marks

Mason Rudolph was graded an “A+” for his play against Pitt – and an even higher compliment.

On the surface, Pitt may not seem like much of a test for Rudolph, but this Pat Narduzzi defense is one week removed from holding Penn State’s Trace McSorley to 164 yards passing on the road. It had another chance to make a statement with the Pokes coming to Pittsburgh for a morning game, but the only statement was made by Rudolph and his 497 yards and five touchdowns.

The 59-21 score probably wasn’t even as close as the score indicates, and Rudolph, thanks in part to his loaded group of wide receivers, looked like a Heisman Trophy favorite. [CBS Sports]

“Looked like a Heisman Trophy favorite”!

When you obliterate a non-Kansas/Rutgers power five defense, that’s how folks are going to talk about you.

Warming Up

While the Pokes have essentially earned all “A’s” through the first quarter of the season – it really shines compared to this time last year.

But for a team with an offense that ranks third in yards per play, fourth in points per game and first in plays of 40-plus yards from scrimmage, the signs of success on the defensive side are the difference between this being a great year for Oklahoma State and a historic one.

One year ago at this time, the Oklahoma State defense was in desperate search of solutions.

Central Michigan’s Cooper Rush completed 31 of 43 passes against the Cowboys. Pittsburgh gashed the defense for 38 points.

The next week was disastrous for the pass defense. Seth Russell averaged 21.5 yards per completion in a Baylor win.

OSU allowed 12 pass plays of 30-plus yards in its first four games last season. Compare that to one in three games now. [TulsaWorld]

It’s not exactly apples-to-apples as the Pokes had faced two NFL quarterbacks to this point in the season (CMU’s Cooper Rush and Pitt’s Nathan Peterman), you can only beat who you play. Nobody put an asterisk next to Iowa’s top five ranking last year, did they?

OSU and NCAA Notes

Big 12 quarterbacks are the top three of ESPN’s quarterback rating system….The Athletic has Baker and Mason atop their Heisman straw poll….CBS has the Pokes in their top five….Yahoo’s Pat Forde says Oklahoma is the capital of college football

Seems like a fair argument considering a minimum of four (Washington, Ateman, Tyron, Chris Lacy) of these guys will be in the league.

Seven Cowboys caught the ball on Saturday, four had 100+ yds on the day. #Okstate is WIDE RECEIVER U!! #GoPokes #CowboyUp18 #CowboyUp19 pic.twitter.com/tKl79tDvJL

— Cowboy FB Recruiting (@CowboyFB_Elite) September 18, 2017

Joel and Gus and Lubbock will be a blast.

Sep. 30 we are headed to Lubbock for @CowboyFB and @TexasTechFB in primetime @CFBONFOX…Gus Johnson and those offenses….. pic.twitter.com/SkyXhgwvsz

— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) September 18, 2017

It won’t be easy to replace an All-Big 12 tackle in Crabtree but it looks like the guy is on the roster.

OK TEVIN JENKINS! (Watch Right Tackle) https://t.co/qCJx711GFF

— Adam Lunt (@AdamLunt817) September 18, 2017

That’s one view, Tom.

Herman says the Maryland loss could have been the best thing to happen to his team. Team didn't take training intensity to the field.

— David Ubben (@davidubben) September 18, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• Why you can’t double-team James Washington
• On Mason Rudolph’s emerging Heisman profile
• Chalk Talk: How Jalen McCleskey burned the Pitt defense
• In the latest Reload – Boynton is finding some momentum
• Minnesota transfer offensive lineman is retiring

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Friday Night Lights, Last Chance U and grace
• Explanation on Spain’s “siesta” and odd time zone
• Positive outlooks on seven terrible NBA teams