Safe to assume we will see Gundy, Rangel, Bowman in that order? It's the only order we haven't seen yet. Also seems Bowman is in before any "adjustments" have been made so any yards we get is on his arm. Maybe with a run game it'll open up WRs while he's playing.
Photo by Robert Allen - Pokes Report
Oklahoma State Football
Monday Gundy on QB Competition and How it May not End this Saturday
STILLWATER – If you were hoping to see light at the end of the tunnel with the Oklahoma State quarterback situation. Like one more three quarterback rotation this Saturday in the final non conference game with South Alabama and then the coronation of a starting quarterback for the Big 12 opener on Sept. 23 at Iowa State, well, you may be disappointed after Mike Gundy’s weekley news conference.
Personally, I’m more concerned about establishing a running game right off the top of these games. Run the football like you have in the second half of the first two games and it might not matter who is at quarterback. If you were banking on a QB1 when the Pokes get to Iowa then maybe you need to visit Field of Dreams. The head coach didn’t give you any promise when asked point blank if the rotation at quarterback would end after South Alabama?
Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics
Bowman at the front of the stretch line with Rangel and then Gundy.
“This one (competition) is unique because of transfer portal players coming in that are experienced and are in their last year to perform,” Gundy said of his team overall. “We’re playing a lot of players if you’ve noticed, not just at quarterback.”
Then he got serious. He looked out in the audience of media members and posed the question.
“So, right now, if I asked you and everybody has opinions,” Gundy started. “You have to tell two of the quarterbacks you’re not playing, you’re out. Who are you telling and when they ask why, how would you explain it?”
Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics
Rangel launches a pass in Tempe last Saturday.
Good point.
Alan Bowman is 24-of-40 for 193-yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He has led the team to two field goals in the first game and a touchdown on Saturday at Arizona State.
Garret Rangel is 16-of-24 passing for 164-yards and two touchdowns throwing one interception. He has led the team to two touchdowns and a field goal.
Gunnar Gundy is 12-of-16 for 138-yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. Gundy has led the team to three touchdowns and one field goal.
It is painfully even.
“It keeps our offense from opening up with what we do,” Gundy explained of an effect of the rotation that most of us have felt. “We have to keep reduced packages (for the game plan) so we can get the reps we need before the games, which I like because I think overall it helps our offense.”
© Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
A lot of Bowman’s passes at Arizona State came on the run because the ASU defense was blitzing their eyeballs out.
I would be opposed. Something I have observed is Bowman has had far fewer run plays called when he has been in at quarterback. The plan has been balanced for the most part for Rangel and Gundy. Both quarterbacks also have the advantage of being able to run more explosive at quarterback. It has shown up some in the respect and the way the defenses have played them.
Overall, the quarterbacks are 52-of-80 for 65 percent passing with 495-yards with three touchdowns and only one interception. The group has a quarterback rating of a rich 126.9.
"They all played pretty good, they graded out at almost 88% mentally, as a group,” Gundy reported. “I didn't put all those stats together, but we just got to stay the course.”
Gundy made it sound like it is all acceptable for now.
“Those are good grades, last week they graded close to 90%, which is a really high grade for a quarterback,” Gundy added. “It is difficult to get a good grade at that position."
I’ve always felt that the team often identifies the starting quarterback in a competition by who they gravitate to. Gundy has kept an eye on that and that appears to be even as well.
Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics
Gundy has looked very comfortable.
"I watched them in practice, I watch them in the game, I watch them in the hotel and I watch them in the meals. I just had a discussion with someone else about it, I don't see (the team) partial to anybody. I think they like them all…” Gundy said he hasn’t noticed any of the three being dramtically more popular than the others.
“I watch their interactions among each other and I watch their relationship with their coaches and all those guys, and they're goofing around, showing each other their phones and they're laughing and all that,” the head coach said. “I try to keep a pretty good barometer on that, and I think they're fine."
Gundy is fine, but the rest of us are antsy. I know the quarterbacks are antsy some. It’s not natural, butyou know at Oklahoma State it hasn’t been common to have three quarterbacks all ready to go in, play, and be successful. In the transfer portal age at that position it is highly unusual. By the end of the season that depth may win you a few games, but the important question now is whether rotating the quarterbacks could cost you a game?
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