OSU-BAYLOR: THREE STORYLINES

Rudolph’s ready

Mason Rudolph rarely lets anyone inside his skull. Not deep inside, anyway, especially when it comes to the media. Rudolph plays it straight, without drama. Until this week. The Cowboys quarterback didn’t go all loose cannon, yet he did reveal that the Baylor game means something special to him, enough to circle it on the calendar.

The reason: Rudolph stands 0-3 against the Bears, the only Big 12 squad he hasn’t beaten. There are some extenuating circumstances attached to two of the losses. He debuted at No. 6 Baylor as a true freshman when his redshirt was yanked late in the season. As a sophomore, he suffered a foot injury against the Bears that would require surgery. This year, he’s healthy. And ready.

Bombs away

OSU’s preference for the deep ball is well documented, and established. Rudolph leads the nation with 17 passes of 30 yards or longer — 15 of those going for touchdowns — while James Washington leads all receivers in receptions of 30-plus. But Baylor is excellent at the deep heaves, too.

The Bears have produced a nation-leading seven pass plays of 60 yards and longer, highlighted by their Zach Smith-to-Denzel Mims big-play connection. What gives Saturday?

Both teams feature kid corners. So far, the Cowboys combo of A.J. Green and Rodarius Williams have held up better. And OSU’s veteran safeties, Tre Flowers and Ramon Richards, provide stability amid strong seasons.

Karma

Many college football observers feel that Baylor’s struggles in an 0-5 start are apropos, given the program’s scandalous recent past. The bad guys getting their comeuppance, so to speak. Now someone — presumably a Baylor fan — dyed the fountain outside Edmon Low Library green, although briefly, on homecoming weekend, when the fountain traditionally flows orange. Seriously? Baylor’s only had football fans, other than the early bird Luby’s crowd, for about 15 minutes. Once before someone tried such a stunt, fans of Missouri State — Missouri State! — and their team took a three-touchdown beating for showing up. None of this, combined with Rudolph’s revenge motive, bodes well for the Bears.

Could James Washington, left, and Jalen McCleskey celebrate frequently against a young Baylor secondary? [PHOTO BY SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN]

[PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, Art Briles left a mess at Baylor, one that continues to hover over the program and school still. THE OKLAHOMAN]

[AP PHOTO] Mason Rudolph has yet to beat Baylor in three starts. And he knows it. And he’s out to change that.