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Gundy Chasing Stoops for All-Time Big 12 Wins Record

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When Bob Stoops abruptly stepped down from his perch atop the Big 12 earlier this summer, there were countless columns written about the implications as it relates to the Big 12. Which team might be best equipped to take advantage of Stoops’ sudden departure in the 2017 season? Which coach could step up and become the new face of the Big 12 conference?

Since you’re reading this, there’s a good chance your vote is likely Mike Gundy – the third-longest tenured college football head coach with the same team. But many others unrelated to OSU would likely vote Gundy, too. The mulleted-man has finished the season in the shadow of Stoops more times than he’d care to admit, and it’s always felt like his biggest road block to becoming the cream of the conference has been the pesky Stoops-led Sooners.

With Bob gone, Gundy’s mullet campaign of 2017 has been the talk of the conference. He’s been comfortable giving his opinion on topics varying from butch wax to college football playoff expectations for a team prepared to make a run at a Big 12 title. So becoming the face of the conference? That’s been effortless, to this point. The mullet has done all the talking. But it’s yet to be determined if his team is the one best equipped to take advantage of the Stoops-sized void left in Norman.

Perhaps the biggest shadow to chase of all in Stoops’ absence is one that may never be tackled: Stoops’ all-time conference win achievement.

At 50, can Gundy catch Stoops on the all-time Big 12 conference win list? That’s a projection I’m not ready to make – especially because it’s a question that may not be answered for a decade. But it’s a fascinating hypothetical, no less.

Stoops stepped down from OU with a 190-48 record with the Sooners, and the record Gundy could chase – his Big 12 conference win total – is a steep goal to reach with a 121-29 mark.

Gundy is only slightly more than halfway there with a 63-39 record in league play as head coach.

If Gundy were to continue his winning pace he’s been on since 2010 in conference (averaging 6.28 wins per season), it would take him 10 more seasons to eclipse Stoops’ mark. And that’s cutting it mighty close just based on his own timeline he has in his head.

“I don’t think I’ll coach when I’m 60,” Gundy said earlier this summer. “I don’t have the energy. It takes a ton of energy in the world today to run all over the place like you do. Go grab food, go do an interview and drive home late at night and go watch a game. It’s the same thing for us. Go to work early, deal with all the stuff you deal with – with 135 players, talk to the media, recruit, talk to kids.”

Of course, winning 6.28 games on average in conference per year is a crazy good pace. It’s a pace that would ensure his Cowboys would remain in contention for Big 12 titles on a near-annual basis, meaning Gundy wouldn’t have a cloud of mediocrity over his head in this scenario. But let’s just assume he loses some steam halfway to 60, and goes through a rough patch. Where, then, might Gundy land? And could he supplant Stoops?

Again, a hypothetical. But if Gundy can exorcise his demons with OU this season, I think OSU football could be on the verge of turning a new leaf. That is, if Gundy’s up for the challenge.

“Every year, it gets a little more difficult whether you have enough energy to do what it takes to be successful,” said Gundy.

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