Three-Kyle Weave: How Boise State Win Altered Our Expectations for OSU

The Kyles got together to talk Oklahoma State post-Boise and ahead of the Big 12 opener against Texas Tech. We discussed our expectations for the Cowboys and how they’ve changed following a big win.

Kyle Porter: I guess my question is whether you have different expectations as of right now than you did before Week 1?

Kyle Boone: My expectations have changed, absolutely. Mostly because the Oklahoma State team I saw in Weeks 1 and 2 looked like a high school team compared to the Oklahoma State team I saw in Week 3 against Boise. The defense’s dominance against a top-20 team — and a top-10 offense — has me imagining a not-so-crazy world where OSU is in the Big 12 championship game at the end of the season.

Kyle Cox: Yes, slightly. I wasn’t quite bought-in on this offense, I was cautiously optimistic about the defense, and I was nervous about special teams before Boise. I feel a little better about each now. This team going say 7-2 through the Big 12 actually seems like a possibility now.

Pass that Kool-Aid, Boone.

Porter: I think my expectations have changed a little bit, too. Not a lot because again I think there was some unsustainability in the Boise game — two blocked punts ain’t walking through that door every week — but I’m with Boone in that I certainly think OSU can play OU (or whoever) for the Big 12 title. I’m not sure I truly thought that before Week 1. I thought it was more of a possibility than most (because … Gundy), but not it feels like it could really happen.

Boone: I never imagined a world in which I’m extremely concerned about the offense and fired up for the defense, but such is 2018.

Cox: Right? I think OSU will score enough to keep its head above water in most conference games if the defense is actually this good, and it can limit mistakes. I just don’t know if it can keep up with Oklahoma or even TCU/West Virginia.

Porter: That’s kind of how I feel, too. I told Carson this on the podcast, but if they’re down six at Kansas State with like five minutes left, I don’t feel a lot of warm and fuzzies. I don’t know why, and maybe I should, but I just don’t trust this year’s offense like I did with the last one.

Boone: Is that due to inexperience at QB? Or underperforming along the offensive line? Or…?

Porter: I think both. But maybe they only need one or two of those drives this season, and they get them. Maybe this really is 2013 all over again.

Cox: To me, it’s both of those.

Porter: Do you guys know who would have played for the 2013 Big 12 title under the current format?

Boone: True. And I do not. I’m guessing OSU and … Baylolol?

Cox: Not off-hand. OSU, Baylor?

Baylor, OU.

Porter: Baylor was first. OSU-OU-Texas (!) tied for second and they all beat each other. I think it would have come down to point differential.

Boone: ? The Big 12 would definitely have not screwed that up.

Cox: Solution: You only play half of the teams each year and the last five games are a playoff.

Porter: Hahaha

Does it concern either of you that everyone in OSU world thinks OSU is going to win by 45 on Saturday night and Gundy is going to shave Kingsbury’s head on national television (something Tech invented, of course).

Cox: It should. I think the Vegas money didn’t buy the retooling Cowboys last week (understandably) but now it’s all flowing the other way, which makes me nervous. I fully expect OSU to win but it’s college football and, like you said, how much do you really trust this team?

Or I’m just jaded and cynical.

Boone: I am not concerned. I think Oklahoma State might win by 50. Tech stinks, and, once again, remains one of the most overrated teams in the conference.

Cox: What universe did we slip into where Boone is the most positive one of us?

Boone: The only thing I’m positive about is that Tech stinks.

Also I’ve had enough Starbucks this week to fuel a rocket ship to the moon and back.

Porter: Haha, which is where Mike Boynton might find his next recruit.

Boone: I’m not ruling anything out.

Cox: When OSU wins by 50, how close is Kliff to being on the hot seat? And do he and Mikey Y trade jobs?

Porter: I would be fine with that trade. I’d be fine if they just traded jobs back and forth for the next 20 years.

Kliff’s record at Tech is so bad!

Cox: Him being the next Gundy hasn’t really panned out.

Boone: Guys, I told you, Tech stinks. Most overrated program in the Big 12.

And I look forward to Texas Tech fans saying the same thing after Saturday and accusing me of stealing that take.

Cox: 

Porter: We might have to upgrade our server space for Boone’s rocket launchers from the top of BPS on Saturday evening.

Boone: I believe I will have caught up on sleep enough by Saturday to not be on the edge of the moon.

Porter: Last one: Who is more likely to make first team All-Big 12 — either Calvin Bundage or Jordan Brailford OR Justice Hill?

Boone: I’d ride for Brailford. Linebacker would be a tough achievement, but Brailford at DE could definitely get it.

Cox: Justice Hill.

I hope Brailford can stay healthy and stay on a roll. I think he can. He’s had game-changing potential for a couple of years.

That being said,  Justice’s usage rate is about to look like Russell Westbrook’s in a playoff game.

Porter: Omg Cox!

I’m saying the choice is that you get Calvin Bundage and Jordan Brailford on one side or you get Justice Hill on the other.

Cox: Well, I was too busy with that professional-looking Photoshop to read carefully.

I’m still going with Justice because I think he’s a shoo-in.

Porter: Yeah, me too. I have nothing to back this up and absolutely no evidence at all, but it seems like he’s a lot better than last year (and he was already unbelievable last year).

Cox: He’s the best player on the team, and will be the best player on the field most weeks this year.