Daily Mullets (December 30)

What a night last night. Doug Gottlieb is right about this.

Perfect example of why coaches/players/fans love bowl games… Oklahoma State. As bad as the #OU game was,#Alamobowl2016 makes everything ??

— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) December 30, 2016

How good is the Prez?

Great stuff here from Ben Kercheval.

There are a number of weapons returning around Rudolph and Washington, too, including running back Justice Hill, and receivers Jalen McCleskey and Chris Lacy. This offense is going to be loaded in 2017 and the Big 12, which favors offensive-minded teams as champions, should be up for grabs among four or five teams. [CBS Sports]

I’m sweating just thinking about it.

Underwood not keen on facing Huggy Bear

Yet, while there’s much anticipation accompanying Oklahoma State’s Big 12 opener and its follow-up to a 10-2 start, there’s no joy for Underwood in the coaching matchup, going against friend and mentor and Mountaineers coach Bob Huggins.

“Not fun,” Underwood said. “Don’t enjoy that part of it. It’s much easier to get angry with guys you don’t necessarily care for. “I genuinely love that guy.” [NewsOK]

And I genuinely love Underwood.

Let the hype begin

Here is Max Olson of ESPN.

For Oklahoma State, the runaway offseason hype train officially left the station Thursday night around 10:40 p.m. Central time, when Mason Rudolph burned one of the nation’s best defenses one more time. But the performance the Cowboys put together against a top-10 foe in the Alamodome should be taken as a fair warning: They’re ready for great expectations in 2017. [ESPN]

CFB Playoff on deck?

It could happen.

Rudolph was 22-of-32 for 314 yards and three touchdowns. The stats were not important, though. The win was. “I think it just sets us up to do greater things,” Washington said. Something greater than back-to-back 10-win seasons. Great than back-to-back Big 12 runner-up finishes. Greater than finishing the season in the top 20 for the second straight season.

So, what’s next for this program Mike Gundy built? “A national championship,” Flowers said. That’s no longer a dream for OSU football. It’s possible. [O’Colly]

I think this is a bit of an overreaction given that OSU will likely have to beat OU twice next year, and I don’t feel confident Mike Gundy can do it once even if Baker Mayfield is in the hospital with two broken legs.

Rudolph is Royalty

So says Bill Haisten.

Because he is on course to become the yardage king of all Cowboys quarterbacks, and because 10 is such a magic number, Mason Rudolph has graduated to a new status.

Barry Sanders, Mike Gundy, Thurman Thomas, Bob Fenimore, Leslie O’Neal, Terry Miller, Mark Moore, Neill Armstrong, Rashaun Woods, Brandon Weeden — all are on the level of Oklahoma State royalty. With Oklahoma State having rocked favored Colorado 38-8 Thursday night in the Alamo Bowl, Rudolph commands a place in the royalty wing of Cowboys football history. [Tulsa World]

I don’t disagree.

Where was Bullet?

How much fun would it have been for Bullet and Ralphie to both be there on Thursday? Well, the Alamo Bowl was not going to let that happen (with good reason).

Ralphie running is always a sight to behold, and it was again Thursday night.

Bullet, OSU’s own fun-running animal, didn’t make the trip. The Alamo Bowl, and others, limit live mascot appearances to once a game. OSU officials have traditionally held that it’s not worth transporting and caring for their prized horse for such limited exposure. [NewsOK]

Also there’s this.

It took us about 14 hours of just driving to get here. We did make a 10-hour stop on our way down just to let everyone rest. She’s in her custom trailer. It’s designed just for her, so she’s able to walk around, stand up and lay down. It’s nice and big for her. She also has continuous access to food and water. She did great on the drive. We came through a few states so we had to get special permits from the department of transportation to get her down here. [NewsOK]

I forgot how amazing it is to watch Ralphie really run.

A Bedlam reminder

Thursday really was a reminder of just how bad OSU was in Bedlam.

I know that factoid might not sit well with OSU fans still chapped that Mike Gundy went more conservative than politics in our fair state, but maybe the Alamo Bowl will serve as a reminder to the head coach. This bunch is better when it plays wide open. Stretch the field. Throw deep. Take chances. [NewsOK]

More OSU

Some pretty amazing photos in here.

In case you missed the Alamo Bowl last night, here is a recap. (via @osusportsphotog) pic.twitter.com/e4hKgFR33D

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) December 30, 2016

Ramon is a crazy person, and I love him for it.

I Love My City #ForGlory #PraiseUp pic.twitter.com/Bre4116aSQ

— Felipé Siete (@chief_vii) December 30, 2016

More PFB

The WVU game is sold out … Here is a video of the Chris Carson double pass … Big Daddy Gundy dodges the Gatorade bath … James Washington, Vincent Taylor named bowl MVPs … Five best stats from the Alamo Bowl … Let the celebration go on forever … What a night from James Washington … Notebook on the game … 10 thoughts on the game … postgame show with Carson.