Daily Bullets (September 7)

Paying the Price

It’s so unusual for a top-ten team to go on the road to a Sun Belt team but that’s a growing pain for a school like Oklahoma State.

“Most of your schools at a high level, they’re gonna set this up and they’re gonna buy that (road) game out,” Gundy said of two-for-one deals. “That’s not something we do. Right now, we’re in the two-for-one business.”

Rather than paying South Alabama a buyout of the Jaguars’ home game in the series, the Cowboys find themselves going on the road for the first game in the two-for-one contract. South Alabama is currently set to come to Stillwater for a game next year, then again in 2023. [NewsOK]

So there ya go. South Alabama will be paying the Pokes to trek down to the gulf this week – a cost decision.

Cowboy Culture

I’m pretty sure this article was old but as Lincoln Riley starts his head coaching days and Dana Holgersen adapts to not calling plays, it just struck me how much Gundy has come into his own.

“When I first started coaching, I thought it was all about the player.” Gundy said. “Then I realized that we have to teach and coach the person first.”….“I’m much more of a mentor now than a coach,” he said. [USA Today]

When tactical advantage and recruiting services feel like they rule the day – intangibles are of equal worth.

OSU and NCAA Notes

538 looks at when’s the best time to lose a college football game….Always enjoy the ESPN Bottom Ten of CFB – Texas schools makes an appearance….Baylor Update: Third of eight Title IX lawsuits settled….Love this piece on the Cowboy Culture Gundy has established

Would be a nice honor – top offensive player in CFB with Texas connections.

Week 1 Honorable Mention: @CowboyFB WR James Washington (Stamford HS). #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/yX025dgiWq

— Earl Campbell Award (@CampbellAward) September 5, 2017

Contract-year Marcus Smart should be really fun to watch.

Marcus Smart says he's lost 20 pounds this summer. Now weighs 219 lbs. "I've been in the gym non-stop. It's a new me. I'm more explosive."

— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) September 6, 2017

Former Cowboy Mason Cox may be on the move.

EXCLUSIVE: American Pie Mason Cox has offers from rival clubs, but moving may be difficult due to an immigration curveball @Stevo7AFL #7News pic.twitter.com/ehaHrLJfMB

— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) September 5, 2017

Not sure what authority these guys have but No. 1 in my book.

#UniAuthority Week 1 Uniform of the Week:
1. @CowboyFB #UAWeek1 pic.twitter.com/gp06eF5T4Q

— Uniform Authority (@UniAuthority) September 5, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• Experience of Gundy and veterans are key to not repeating mistakes
• New number one on this week’s offensive power rankings
• Learn more about Friday’s opponent, catch an interview with a South Alabama insider
• The dudes had a solid roundtable talking Chuba, JD King and more
• Thomas breaks down how third down defense will be key this week
• Shout-out to intern Ryan on a solid piece – Boynton talks about Jawun

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Double-sided optimism and how tech plays into that
• Isaiah Thomas to the Players Tribune was good – insight on what it’s like to be traded
• Strong counter argument against current state of college football by an NYT writer (who investigated Jameis Winston and FSU)