PFB Comments of the Week (December 2)

The Cowboys capped off their 2017 regular season campaign with a 58-17 shellacking of the Kansas Jayhawks. Mason Rudolph hooked up with James Washington for another one of their signature touchdown connections, and Dillon Stoner had a coming out party on Senior Day.

The Pokes finished with a 9-3 record and a chance at a 10-win season with a bowl victory. Then Mike Gundy decided to test the coaching market for a day while other coaches were out recruiting. With plenty of time for reflection on the season, let’s take a look at the comments of the week.

1. Gundy Marketing OSU

I think it is good that he is being pursued assuming he then turns them down. It elevates his stature and the stature of the Oklahoma State football and athletic programs. Major P5 programs don’t pursue hairstyles — they pursue good coaches and leaders. That’s what Gundy has been and most likely will continue to be for Oklahoma State. –Alum in AZ on Mike Gundy being pursued by SEC schools.

Gundy likely did this to leverage OSU and himself. He also probably did this to deflect from the fact that OSU isn’t competing for a conference championship this weekend and as a marketing ploy to get the Cowboy brand out there.

2. Mason Rudolph Wins Johnny Unitas Award

Character is what sustains. Character is what lasts. Can’t speak to all the other finalists, but Mason has always been strong on character and has always, always represented himself and Oklahoma State extremely well. Couldn’t be happier for him. –Forever 14 on Mason Rudolph’s character.

Between his incredible play not just this season, but the last several, and his high character, Rudolph has been an incredible influence on Stillwater and the OSU community.

3. Bowl Matchups

Would really like to play ND (brand) in Camping World Bowl … beat them soundly and win some respect/brand recognition within CFP Committee …. wishful thinking probably. –OSUgary on bowl matchups.

The CFP committee isn’t going to look at OSU any differently for beating Notre Dame in the Camping World Bowl. Recruits might like to see the Pokes beat a brand name though. Either way, playing a brand name team makes the bowl game more interesting.

4. Gundy In Stillwater For Good

My understanding is that Gundy had to have OSU admistration permission to speak with Tennessee. Maybe he got it and went through the exercise to stay in the news and to show the nations recruits that Cowboy Orange is brighter than Volunteer. I mean if he turned down 6/$42M, then was he really considering it? –Chris Putnam on Gundy.

This may not be the last meeting Gundy will ever take, but I do think he’s in Stillwater for good. Gundy has shown time and again that he will do whatever it takes to get the Pokes in the national media. I’m sure it also gives him more power to force Holder’s hand here and there, but Gundy will retire a Poke.

5. More Than Just Turquoise Jerseys

The turquoise inks are for Native American recognition, November is Native American month, and this was their last game for the month. See if you can find the clip of Dave Hunzikers pregame interview with the representative from Nike who heads their N7 program.

Pretty amazing how it got started, and it was the only game he’s been able to attend this year. Nike has donated $4.7M to this cause which focuses on obesity in the culture and highlights changing lifestyles and diet to combat it. Waters is a celebrity for what he’s accomplished, and is becoming a role model for the kids. –two4osu on OSU’s N7 jerseys.

Turquoise looks weird with orange for sure, though the N7 jerseys this year are far better than last season. As far as the cause goes, I think it’s great, especially having Lindy Waters on the team and the state of Oklahoma having a rich Native American heritage. This is a great think that Nike is doing, and I’m glad OSU gets to be a part of it.

We're proud to be joined by @NikeN7 founder Sam McCracken on our official N7 day. Thanks @lanaduke20 for making it all happen. #NikeN7 pic.twitter.com/fU9E3nYPuY

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) November 30, 2017

6. Mike Holder Feuding With Gundy … Again?

Of course they are. Gundy always uses these things as leverage. He’s shown that no amount of pleading will pull him away from OSU, he’s just doing this to get what he wants from Holder. And if Holder wanted to have successful programs, he’d listen. But he’s constantly putting his ego ahead of everything else, and he’s gotta go. He’s done a lot of good for OSU, but his inability to get along with anyone and everyone who doesn’t completely bow down to him is getting really annoying. It’s time for a new face. –OSU Student on Mike Holder and Gundy’s relationship.

Gundy won’t leave OSU for another school. OSU is in the phase of taking the final steps to being an elite program, and they can’t cut corners in doing so. It seems like that’s where Gundy and Holder will disagree.

7. Free Tyron Johnson

That “huge hole” isn’t nearly as big as many think. We still have a deep group of receivers, even if Tyron doesn’t return next year (obviously I hope he does). McClesky, Stoner, Wallace, Alexander, Greenwood, and Moore would carry on the torch. It’s probably still the deepest position group on the field, which is remarkable with what we’re losing. It’s a testament to Kasey Dunn’s coaching and recruiting abilities. –Brian on Tyron Johnson.

Free Tyron Johnson … that’s all I have to say. He is a freak show who will elevate OSU next year no matter who else is around him. I’ll be highly disappointed if he isn’t in Stillwater next fall. If he isn’t though, he will excel wherever he goes.

8. The Mike Yurcich Offense

I think he had a QB that rushed for over 1,000 yards at Shippensburg. I think we need a dual-threat QB to be effective with MY. –davids on the Mike Yurcich offense.

This may or may not be true. If it is however, hello Spencer Sanders. The future Pokes quarterback is a dual threat if I’ve ever seen one, and soon enough the rest of the fan base will fall in love with him.

9. Year-To-Year Success

To phrase this similarly with an example you could ask, “Do we want to be Auburn under Gus Malzahn?” They have gone 12-2 with a NC appearance, 8-5, 7-6, 8-5 and now 10-2 with an opportunity for a conference championship and CFP appearance.

Yes, I’d take that. Especially if we were competitive in the losses. –brentparkey on year to year success.

I wouldn’t mind this either. Now, if it can be done, I’d prefer to have 12-1 seasons with 9 or 10 win seasons in between. That is the ultimate goal.

10. Hoop Dreams

This team is still a shell of what it will be by the end of the season. Once Dillard is back in game shape and Sima is eligible, we could become a defensive monster. Having a legitimate rim protector will allow us to improve on what is already a very solid perimeter defense as mentioned above. –Brent on the outlook of basketball season.

Sima should help tremendously, however, adding him and Dillard won’t be enough to make OSU a contender. I’d love to see this team break .500 in conference play, but that’s a long shot.