Everything’s Made To Be Broken

I think every OSU article I’ve read this summer has mentioned one of the following things:

• Todd Monken might not be as prolific an offensive mind as Dana Holgerson (this is like saying Abby Wambach might not be quite as pretty as January Jones).
• Justin Blackmon is the best receiver in the country.
• Brandon Weeden is adept at throwing a football.

Seriously, if I read one more column that says something along the lines of “Oklahoma State looks to overcome the loss of Dana Holgerson and repeat its success in 2010 with wide receiver Justin Blackmon who is the odds on favorite to win the Biletnikoff award and Brandon Weeden who is amongst the best quarterbacks in college football” I’m going to come through my computer screen and take a flat-head screwdriver to the keyboard of whoever wrote it.

Give me some context, entertain me, make something up, do anything. I feel like Will Ferrell playing Alex Trebek on SNL: “write anything, Connery!”

Okay, sorry for the mini-rant, and on to why I’m making it.

Obviously we’re all aware of the collective greatness dripping from this year’s deadliest quarterback to wideout duo. But just how prolific will each be considered in Oklahoma State circles when the curtain closes on their respective careers? Let’s take a look at the record books:

First, Blackmon – Unfortunately Rashaun has mostly put every WR record out of reach for any non four-year (or maybe three-year) starter. He holds most relevant Big 12 records (though Broyles is going to obliterate all of them by like week six this year) and all notable OSU records at the position. 293 catches, 4,414 yards, and 42 touchdowns. That’s 73 catches a year for 1,100 yards and just over 10 touchdowns. Can you imagine David Glidden coming in as a Freshman, posting those numbers, and doing it for four straight years? Jordan Shipley’s head would explode.

1. Rashaun Woods (2000-03) 4,414
2. Hart Lee Dykes (1985-88) 3,171
3. D’Juan Woods (2002-06) 2,751
4. Dez Bryant (2007-09) 2,425
5. Justin Blackmon (2009-) 2,042

Here’s where Blackmon stands on the receiving yards list. For the sake of context that number Rashaun posted is the third most in the history of college football. Blaskmon hasn’t even cracked the top 250 yet. He’s going to get Dez though, maybe in the Arizona game, and he’s going to get D’Juan too. He’s probably going to catch Hart Lee as well–though I think we sometimes forget just how rare 1,000 yard seasons really are–but it’s going to take a magic act to take down Rashaun. The most receiving yards in a single season is 2,060 (Trevor Insley, Nevada) so basically Blackmon would need to destroy that and average right at 185 yards/game. That’s not happening.

1. Rashaun Woods (2000-03) 293
2. Hart Lee Dykes (1985-88) 203
3. D’Juan Woods (2002-06) 163
4. Dez Bryant (2007-09) 147
5. Justin Blackmon (2009-) 131

And really neither is the catches mark. Again he’ll catch Dez, D’Juan, and most likely Hart Lee, but Rashaun has this locked up. While we’re here, is it just me or does anyone else not remember D’Juan being this good? I remember his fake field goal catch against Texas when they were #1 and we had them on the ropes in Stillwater. And I remember the Paul Thompson game when a ball in the back of the end zone to win it grazed his fingertips as time expired. But I don’t remember him consistently being better than Dez or for that matter even Adarius Bowman.

1. Rashaun Woods (2000-03) 42
2. Hart Lee Dykes (1985-88) 29
2. Dez Bryant (2007-09) 29
4 Justin Blackmon (2009-) 22

This one could get interesting. If he does what he did last year he’ll end up tied with Rashaun at 42. But since his 20 last year was the 4th highest total for a collegiate WR since 2000 I’m not sure we can take “oh he’ll definitely do that again” to the bank. Could he? Sure, but if I had to bet my life on it I think Rashaun’s TD record lives to see another class of Cowboys.

Now if for some unforeseeable reason Blackmon shuns the NFL again next year (at which point there might be an investigation of Mike Gundy’s SNB account) then you can print this post out, wad it up into a polygon, douse it in kerosene, and throw it in a chiminea because at that point we’ll be talking about the possibility of one person holding every NCAA receiving record ever. That is if Broyles doesn’t put them out of reach this season…

We’ll take a look at what Weeden has on the line statistically tomorrow.