By Michael Doutey

It has been an interesting week in Stillwater. Who knew the week of Kansas would provide so many talking points, discussions and outrage? Since the Cowboys loss to Texas Tech, things have gone from not great, to bad and then to worse. With so many talking points floating around, here are my ten thoughts heading into tomorrow’s Kansas game.

The loss of Jalen McCleskey

I was getting set up for Thunder Media Day in the press conference room deep inside Chesapeake Energy Arena. I pulled up Twitter and saw the news: Jalen McCleskey was leaving the program. Uh, what? I’ve long been a fan of Jalen McCleskey. He his biggest offers were Air Force, South Florida and Southern Miss. He came to OSU and began playing right away. I’ve interviewed him for the past three seasons and he was one of my favorites. I was stunned he was leaving, especially during the middle of the season. It didn’t seem like his nature. But the common thought was that he left because of what has been going on this season, especially with the play of Taylor Cornelius. But it is more about usage. In 2016, McCleskey lead the team in receptions with 73. But he took a dip in 2017 to 50, which was understandable due to the fact that James Washington and Marcel Ateman were so good. Then Dillon Stoner emerged later in the season. His senior season I’m sure he thought he would be to focal point. But Tylan Wallace has taken that role and Dillon Stoner isn’t going anywhere. This was more of a usage issue. He wants to make it to the NFL. He wants his chance to make it. He has that right, even if he turns his back on his teammates in the middle of the season. I’m sure that will really impress the scouts. I hope he finds what he is looking for because I really like Jalen. But I don’t think this was the best way for him to go about it. 

Mike Gundy’s Media Threat

I was there for the threat he made to the media Tuesday night. The one where he said via a team spokesmen that reporters couldn’t ask any McCleskey questions to his players and if we did then we wouldn’t get to talk to the players for the rest of the season. It was one of the more shocking things to be apart of. We all know what a bonehead move Mike Gundy made. It makes it appear that more dysfunction is going on inside the program. Who actually knows what is actually going on inside the locker room in Stillwater? But now the eyes of the sporting world took notice of Gundy’s bizarre threat and wonder what is really is going on inside the program. It might be nothing at all, just a head coach trying to control the message and did so in a truly unprofessional way. But now we can’t help but wonder what Mike Gundy might be trying to hide or cover up. It was his mistake and he deserves the criticism that follows from his stunt on Tuesday night.

Justice for Justice Hill

In 2017, with Mason Rudolph, Washington, and Ateman all playing, Justice Hill was a major player for the team. In the first Big 12 game against TCU, Hill had 25 carries for 102 yards. Through the first four games last season, Hill carried the ball 62 times for 352 yards and four touchdowns. This season, the one where Gundy has thrown his offensive line under the bus, Hill has 46 carries (16 less than 2017) for 388 yards (36 more than in 2017) and five touchdowns. The History lesson is over. Give Justice Hill the ball. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.

OSU’s Latest History in Lawrence

2016: OSU held a 17-13 halftime lead in Lawrence before pulling things together and winning 44-20.

2014: OSU beats Kansas 27-20. Tyreek Hill returned a kickoff for a touchdown with just over six minutes left in the game. It was an ugly game where OSU’s only points in the second half came off that kickoff return and OSU held on to win.

2012: OSU holds onto another close, ugly win at KU, 20-14.

Since Brandon Weeden went to Lawrence and routed the Jayhawks 48-14 in 2010, OSU has struggled to play well in Lawrence. Tomorrow probably won’t be any different.

Where are we at with Taylor Cornelius?

Through four games there have been highs and lows with Cornelius. Honestly, more lows than anything. The opener wasn’t all that encouraging. The second game was better, but he had some issues with turnovers. Boise State was his best performance. I really thought that the coaches used him as a game manager and used him in the running attack. That was the most comfortable he looked at season. But he was miserable against Texas Tech. As the game got tougher the worse he played. I don’t think he is a Big 12 caliber quarterback. Spencer Sanders is a prize recruit who is going to be a good player but might not be ready yet. Dru Brown doesn’t excite me. I doubt he’d be the starter at Hawaii. But if Corn struggles at all this week, it is time to find out if Brown is better than Corn. This week might be the time we have to take a serious look at what is behind door number two at quarterback. 

The Truth About the Offensive Line

The offensive line is about what they have been over the past couple seasons. They aren’t great. But the aren’t as bad as they are made out to be. Teams know that they don’t have to fear that deep ball like they did with Rudolph. But teams also know that they don’t have to fear the offensive line blocking three man fronts. OSU struggled against Texas last year because OSU couldn’t run the ball against five defenders in the box. The Texas secondary was able to play with six defenders and they were the only team to matchup with OSU’s talented receiving core. This season is different. Teams don’t fear OSU’s offensive line and they don’t fear Corn as a deep thrower. So the offense is only going to look more sluggish because the defenses can dictate what OSU is limited to do. OSU’s offense handcuffed and it looks worse on the offensive line compared to Corn. Mike Gundy has been quick to defend his quarterback and throw his line under the bus. I’m not sure I buy into that. Don’t get me wrong, the offensive line isn’t very good. But the inability for the quarterback to execute the big play in this explosive offense has prevented the team from shooting on all cylinders.

Who Fills McCleskey’s Production?

This might take a team effort, especially with the injury situation. But immediately, Landon Wolf now is starting for McCleskey. Wolf’s backup? There isn’t one. There are no more inside receivers on roster. Tracin Wallace, who is backing up Stoner, is out for the season with a knee injury. The slot is really thin. Could Tylan Wallace slide inside and LC Greenwood play more? Could Jelani Woods flex out from tight end and play inside receiver? Could LD Brown and Chuba Hubbard play some in the slot? All are great options. It just depends on how creative Mike Yurcich might be.

Injury Update

I will be pretty surprised if Dillon Stoner plays. He had no pads in his pants at Tuesday’s practice. LD Brown didn’t practice last week. It appeared he might of on Tuesday. He’ll be someone to watch at gametime. Calvin Bundage was limping around badly against Texas Tech. He may or may not play this week. Malcolm Rodriguez was dinged up too. His status for Saturday in not known.

Defensive Bounceback 

The defense wasn’t great against Texas Tech. There isn’t anyway around that. But I think this week will be a bounce back week. Kansas has given up 11 sacks through four games. Baylor had two sacks last week and Kansas allowed nine more to Nichols, Central Michigan and Rutgers. What will happen when the Pokes roll in with their NCAA leading 19 sacks? Plus, OSU is better against stopping the run than they are against the pass. Pooka Williams is a stud for Kansas running the football and is second in the Big 12 with 377 yards rushing. If they can corral Williams the defense will have a monster day. 

Where does this leave us?

I don’t know what to expect. There is a weird vibe in Stillwater surrounding this team. There are questions about a frustrated team. There are legit questions about the quarterback. There are legit concerns about the offensive line. There are real questions about why Justice Hill isn’t touching the ball. Who can replace a senior leader who left in the middle of the season? This has been a rough week for OSU. I think we’ll find out what type of team this is tomorrow and what they are made of.