Daily Bullets (September 20)

Rising Star

Mason Rudolph has caught the eye of ESPN’s Mel Kiper – dubbing him a prospect on the rise.

Rudolph made my recent Big Board at No. 25, but he could move up a few spots in my next update after he and the Cowboys rolled over Pitt on the road. He was 23-of-32 passing for 497 yards with five touchdowns and an interception.

Everyone knows he has a good arm, but he showed one of his underrated skills against the Panthers: buying time in the pocket. That shows off his athleticism — Rudolph is not a stiff pocket passer. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, he sees the field well and has good mechanics. Rudolph also doesn’t make many mistakes — he had only four interceptions on 448 attempts last season. [ESPN]

His capability to extend plays tends to be overshadowed by the greased pig that is Baker Mayfield.

And as much as you can look at Mason’s numbers as inflated in a QB-friendly offense, his ability to extend plays with a less than perfect offensive line more than compensates.

These QBs have been unfazed by pressure – tossing multiple TDs without throwing an INT under duress. pic.twitter.com/C2XlrZkiHA

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) September 18, 2017

Playoff Projections

Yahoo’s Pat Forde has the Pokes in his playoff – and it appears we can thank partly Texas for that.

The Cowboys make their first appearance in the playoff bracket after obliterating Pittsburgh on the road, 59-21. They rolled up 49 points in the first half, flexing their offensive muscles, and coasted in from there.

While Pitt certainly is not good, Oklahoma State handled the Panthers more easily than Penn State the week before – and USC’s narrow home escape over Texas opened the door for the Cowboys. [Yahoo Sports]

It’s this out-of-league play that helps build the national perspective of the Pokes (and the Big 12) where comparisons help form an understanding. So far it’s all played out well.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Yahoo tells you how to bet on the Pokes this weekend….CBS’ Tom Fornelli has the Pokes in his top five….CRFF with a fantastic look into the Horned Frogs offense….The Oklahoma-based Heisman ballot is awesome…Texas is back… back into a QB battle

Chris Carson won’t be denied.

YAC is the best. Leaders so far (min 20 carries)
1. Henry 3.6
2. Carson 2.6
3. Hunt 2.4
4. Lynch 2.4
5. Hyde 2.4
6. Allen 2.4
7 Anderson 2.2

— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) September 18, 2017

Is Florida becoming Cowboy Basketball’s Texas?

Now the third straight year that Oklahoma State has landed a pledge from a Florida recruit https://t.co/fmucAUdoML

— Corey Evans (@coreyevans_10) September 17, 2017

No. 1 and No. 2 have both been awesome.

??? #GoPokes #okstate #CowboyUp18 #CowboyUp19 pic.twitter.com/YA8Q17f7wY

— Cowboy FB Recruiting (@CowboyFB_Elite) September 19, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• The Big 12 announced the kickoff time for the title game
• NFL scouts are torn on Rudolph’s pro potential
• Through three games, the 2017 offense is more efficient than 2011’s
• Carson and Porter talk Pittsburgh with Adam Lunt and it’s incredibly insightful
• Overrated, Underrated – Mike Yurcich continues to shine

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• SI retelling Dwight Howard’s story is super interesting
• SI on Kevin Durant as Charmin soft is spot on