Poll Results: Most OSU Fans Fine With Rudolph (Hypothetically) Leaving After Bedlam Win

I thought this was a brilliant question which I’m allowed to say because I didn’t actually come up with it. Robert Whetsell did. Send your ire and angst his way.

The hypothetical I presented (which I think the hypothetical part of that actually confused some people): Which would you rather happen out of these two scenarios? OSU wins on Saturday and Rudolph jets or OSU loses on Saturday and Rudolph stays? Nearly two-thirds of you voted that you could swallow Rudolph leaving in exchange for a Big 12 title.

Poll question today: Which scenario would you prefer for this weekend?

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) November 29, 2016

I’m in the minority here. I’d take the L on Saturday for Rudolph to return. This is the slow play. Not immediately satisfying but could result in OSU’s first College Football Playoff appearance PLUS a Big 12 title next year. If Rudolph leaves, you get the Big 12 title, but you don’t get anything else (Keondre Wudtee is not winning the conference next season … I don’t think).

I totally understand why the majority voted for a win this Saturday — I actually came close to this for the reasons Nate mentioned in the comments below. This sums up the reasoning behind what the majority picked (and it is not poor reasoning):

"a conference championship in the hand is worth a CFP in the bush," or something.

— Zach McCoy (@ZachMcCoy371) November 29, 2016

Tough one, but conference championships don’t come around very often. Gotta get ‘em while you can.

— RyanHartwig (@jryanhartwig) November 29, 2016

But that offense next year with all those receivers, an established RB1 and an offensive line that has seemingly figured out its problems? Whoooooo boy. OSU would probably be the Big 12 favorite and frontrunner in the conference to get in the playoff (even if it has to go 12-0 and win every game by 65 to do so).

On to the comments …

Big O: Rudolph is great, but this doesn’t seem like a very compelling question. How could someone choose other than to win a conference championship and play in the Sugarbowl? It would pay long-lasting dividends in terms of recruiting. We’ve also got a very intriguing QB in Woods coming up behind Rudolph.

Nate: As much as I love Mason and want him back, wins over OU, especially in Norman, are sacred. Give me the W this weekend.

JG: Who in their right mind would want to lose to OU this year to keep Rudolph? Nothing is guaranteed next year, give me the win this year and the sugar bowl.

This one might have made me laugh the hardest.

What is the point of having a good player if we lose?

— joe turk (@joeturk182) November 29, 2016