TCU, Oklahoma State expected to chase Oklahoma again in Big 12
DALLAS - Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy knows Mason Rudolph has to feel better physically, even without talking to the junior quarterback about how he feels.
Rudolph played the second half of a game with a broken foot late last season, then got in only one series in the regular-season finale against Oklahoma before playing far from fully healthy in the Sugar Bowl. The Cowboys lost all three of those games after a 10-0 start.
''When we finished spring ball, he was very close to being pain free,'' Gundy said Monday, the first day of Big 12 football media days.
''I would guess that he feels like he did prior to the injury, and he's had a really good summer. He looks really good. His strength levels are the highest they've ever been.''
While the Cowboys get a healthy Rudolph back, TCU has former Texas A&M transfer Kenny Hill and sophomore Foster Sawyer competing to succeed dual-threat quarterback Trevone Boykin.
''It's going to be a healthy (competition). They improved this spring,'' Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson said. ''I'm kind of excited about this season.''
Oklahoma State and TCU finished tied for second in the conference last season behind champion Oklahoma, which is the overwhelming preseason pick this season to win its 10th Big 12 title after last season becoming the league's first team to make the new College Football Playoff. The Horned Frogs and Cowboys are picked to finish second and third, respectively, in that media poll.
The Sooners will be among five teams to take part Tuesday in the second day of media days, joining Baylor, Kansas State, Texas and West Virginia.
Baylor was still prominent Monday, with Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby addressing several questions about the sexual assault scandal that led to the departure of coach Art Briles, plus the demotion of school President Ken Starr and resignation of athletic director Ian McCaw.
Mack Rhoades, who had been at Missouri the past 15 months, was introduced as Baylor's new AD in Dallas.