Daily Bullets (September 25)

Mike in Charge

When Mike Yurcich was hired, it really felt like the training wheels were on and Gundy was influencing the play calling. Given Mike Y’s history, it doesn’t sound like that’s the case now.

Every week, Yurcich would draw up new plays or wrinkles for that specific opponent, growing his offense. Shippensburg started just 3-4 but closed the season with four consecutive wins. In 2012, it went 11-2 and (quarterback Zach) Zulli won the Harlon Hill Trophy as the best player in Division II. Along the way, the team scored at least 49 points nine times.

“I had so much success because of everyone getting a chance,” Zulli said. “Our entire offense was so good, everyone touched the ball, everyone had fun.”

Sound familiar? Through three games this year, eight Oklahoma State players have at least three catches, three have at least three touchdown catches and nine players have scored.

“It’s the exact same, I swear,” Zulli said. [SportsOnEarth]

I’m sure Gundy has ultimate say in things – think K-State 2016 when he commented on not being cool with the downfield throws – but it sounds like Yurcich’s wrinkles and structure are in place.

Adjustable Frogs

OSU struggled against the run last week and struggled to adjust. The Frogs struggled initially with the deep pass – but made a significant adjustment that relatively worked.

On James Washington’s 86-yard touchdown catch, TCU didn’t have a guy deeper than 7 yards from the line of scrimmage. Washington blew right past the double coverage, Mason Rudolph threw the pass 50 yards in the air and hit Washington perfectly in stride.

So TCU backed up, and didn’t put itself in position to get beat deep again. [NewsOK]

That’s an advantage (deep safeties) the Pokes struggled to expose, reasonable to assume game circumstances limited this.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Pokes make an appearance in the week four misery index….12 takeaways from week four of CFB….OSU headed back to the Alamo in latest bowl projections….Jenni Carlson on “dreams dashed” pointed well to Saturday’s issues

Glad West Virginia is ranked now after beating KU.

Yesterday, Kansas had a player run for 291 yards and 2 TDs and lost at home by 22 points to an unranked team.

— David Ubben (@davidubben) September 24, 2017

40 percent’s not bad.

Percent of each conference ranked in the AP Top 25 –
SEC: 42.8%
Big 12: 40%
Pac-12: 33.3%
ACC: 28.6%
Big Ten: 28.6%

— Big 12 DieHards (@Big12DieHards) September 24, 2017

Dad’s Day needs to be moved to the Spring Game.

Last year OSU played CMU on dad’s day. This year? TCU.

I fully expect dad’s day to be cancelled next year.

— Jeremy Kolok (@JeremyKolok) September 23, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• Chris Carson scored his first NFL touchdown yesterday
• What the TCU loss means for OSU’s title hopes
• OSU took a hit in the polls after the TCU loss
• Check the notes from Gundy’s post-game presser
• Porter cleans out his notebook after the TCU game

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Tramel says Melo brings the Thunder closer to Golden State
• Five thoughts on Carmelo to OKC (and reports on D-Wade being recruited)
• Trade winners and losers – OKC won