What-If Wednesday: Mike Gundy’s Future, Kansas Beating Texas and Neal Brown Overachieving
Welcome in to our newest feature we’re calling, “What-If Wednesday”. In this column, I’ll propose a handful of questions that, at this point, have not come to fruition. But IF they do, what will come out of it? What’s the end game?
Join us for this one and let’s have some fun.
What if Mike Gundy finishes at or near the bottom of the Big 12?
If Mike Gundy‘s Oklahoma State Cowboys finished near the bottom of the Big 12, it will be a LONG offseason in Stillwater. Some of you might have wanted me to say he would potentially be shown the door, or at the very least have a hot seat. It will be warming, but it won’t be hot, not matter how bad this season goes.
You don’t have Mike Gundy’s track record at a school like OSU, his alma mater, where he’s achieved more than anyone ever believed possible, and get kicked to the curb that quickly. I know this is a cut throat industry, but that would be absurd.
There will likely be staff turnover, while Gundy will have to adjust better to the transfer portal and NIL, but he will have earned the opportunity to right the ship.
What if Neal Brown is Bowl Eligible By Halloween?
If Neal Brown is bowl eligible by Halloween, he deserves a nice pat on the back and an “atta boy”. That’s it. It would require going 3-1 against TCU, Houston, Oklahoma State and UCF. It’s possible with how the defense is playing, but I would not call it likely, at this point.
But if they achieve it, I don’t think Brown should be guaranteed anything beyond this season. Let’s see how the rest of the season plays out before we determine whether or not he has secured the post beyond the 2023 college football season.
What If Kansas Beats Texas This Weekend?
If the Jayhawks pull off the upset at Texas, as they did two years ago, then we have to start discussing KU as the team to beat in the Big 12. We’d all agree UT has the best resume, and looks like the best team in the conference, thus far. But if KU gets it done, they deserve to be talked about as a Big 12 title contender.
They are returning over 80% of their production from last season, and the entire coaching staff for the first time in Lawrence in two decades. Let’s not overlook what veteran experience can do for a team, especially in tough road games.
I’m not predicting it, but if KU does win, it changes the entire outlook for the Big 12 Conference entering the month of October.
What If Behren Morton Starts the Rest of the Season at QB for Texas Tech?
If Morton starts the rest of the way, it won’t have a huge impact on why Tech has a good or bad season. Obviously, it’s looking like the latter right now, but there’s time to turn this around in Lubbock. The problem hasn’t really been at QB. While the play-calling has been suspect, Tech has had issues with its run defense and in the trenches. They don’t get to the QB and they can’t protect their own QB (a Big 12-worst 12 sacks allowed in 4 games). Plus, they’ve been sloppy, committing the second-most penalty yards in the Big 12.
If those things don’t clean up, it won’t much matter whether it’s Behren Morton or Tyler Shough returning later in the season.
