Daily Bullets (January 12)

2017 points of weakness

Where might the Cowboys need help in 2017? How about outside linebacker …

Gone are veterans Jordan Burton at the strongside spot and Devante Averette on the weak side. They were Oklahoma State’s top tacklers in 2016, combining for 183 stops to shape the heart of a defense that held up well through the season. And while Justin Phillips contributed with 42 stops while spelling Averette and middle linebacker Chad Whitener, the Cowboys will need him to grow into an every-down defender next season as a junior. Calvin Bundage, a former top prospect, added depth and showed promise as a rangy true freshman. Kirk Tucker and Gyasi Akem also got on the field and figure to see increased roles. [ESPN]

On the Freek

This on Tyreek Hill is tremendous.

And yet, while I don’t object to Tyreek Hill finding work in the NFL, I believe that Oklahoma State was right to release him when it did. I believe that Oklahoma should’ve cut Joe Mixon from its team after he punched a female student and that Greg Hardy has no place in football. I hold these beliefs even though I agree with Moskovitz’s critical assessment of zero tolerance, and I haven’t figured out how to reconcile them. [ESPN]

It’s so difficult to figure out the right way to talk about Hill (or Mixon). Mina Kimes does a good job trying to reconcile two seemingly irreconcilable viewpoints.

South Carolinans > Alabamans?

This from Berry on Clemson and Dabo is funny (and good).

But Let me be frank. This is something I learned from writer Bill James decades ago, and I’ve written about it over the years. What did Dabo Swinney really mean when he says Clemson beat Alabama because the Tigers love each other? Swinney is saying that the Clemson Tigers won because they are better people than Bama. Not better athletes. Not better football players. Not better trained or better conditioned. Better people.

Swinney is saying that Clemson’s innate or acquired goodness lifted the Tigers past the Tide. He’s saying that the Tigers are superior people. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is horse hockey. [NewsOK]

Bring your own love.

OSU’s defense Stinks Right Now

Cade Webb nails it here.

I was really disappointed by the defensive effort tonight. I can live with Iowa State hitting contested threes. They do that to everybody. What I can’t live with is going to a zone defense and allowing uncontested six-foot jumpers in the lane. [CRFF]

This team is as good as its defense plays … and its defense is terrible at the moment. Terrible.

I love this chart on Big 12 hoops.

Fresh off the presses UPDATED FLOYD STANDINGS after the #Cyclones win in GIA AGAIN. Beat TCU and play KU Monday for de facto B12 lead. pic.twitter.com/IbXfbJ9C4K

— Dan Becker (@_Danalytics) January 12, 2017

More OSU/Sports

The Oklahoman grades OSU at each position … ESPN grades them too … Berry T. says Saban is the most accomplished coach ever … Phil Bennett hired at Arizona State.

More PFB

Mike Gundy is in trouble if Rob Glass ever leaves … Gundy on millennials and having too many plays … New pod talking national title and OSU hoops … Iowa State win its eighth straight against Oklahoma State … Five thoughts on the game … The other Woods brother arrives in Stillwater … Oklahoma State is getting an offensive lineman from Minnesota.

More Stuff I’m Reading

CFB recruiting coordinator leaves it all behind … The microculture is coming (I find stuff like this fascinating) … The case against sugar.