Originally published at: https://pistolsfiringblog.com/three-reasons-the-cowboys-will-win-the-big-12-and-one-reason-they-wont/
The Big 12 window is as wide open as ever for the Cowboys. Will they take advantage?
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I’m sure this thread is about to bogged down with the usual shout fest…
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Reason #1 why we won’t: Conservative Playcalling!
True, the defense has to be better!
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Shout, SHOUT…let all out! 
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These are the things I can do without
Come on
I’m talking to you
Come on
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Are we sure Alan Bowman belongs in a ‘big 3’ group? He’s a below average BigXII QB that hasn’t had substantial improvement each year.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all hopped up on OSU koolaid - but Bowman isn’t the reason.
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Let’s hope he shows a lot of improvement. He barely played at Michigan so how many seasons passed him by since he was QB1 on a regular basis? I think it was his freshman season at TTU, cause he got jacked up his sophomore season, I think he only played about half the games.
Personally I was hoping he would move on, cause I wanna see what Flores can do, but can’t dislike Bowman, who seems like a really good teammate and person, for wanting to come back as he seems to be all about the team. But it would great if he could keep the # of picks to below 10 and more like 6 or 7 total! 
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Exactly. For me, all Bowman need to do is cut down on the INTs and be an efficient ball distributer. Get the ball into the hands of Ollie and the receivers and let them do the work. .
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Alan has put the work in. He has addressed what he did wrong. Im actually not upset about the pics. Its the td and red zone score im upset about.
Guy hadnt played in years and when he did he was injured that played alot into some of his stuff. Lot cleaner game in the bowl and 430 yeads. That to me is a sign. Come out with really good option stay healthy
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Well last year he did help us beat OU and got us the CC game. Sounds like he has put in the work on the off season to get better so I am interested to see how he performs. The coaches can always go to someone else if his play isn’t up to par.
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So from just a statistical point of view, what TD/Int ratio for Bowman would make you feel satisfied as an improvement over last year. I’m thinking 18-9. What do others think?
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I was at his debut and personally didn’t like it.
28 TDs, 6 picks or fewer. That’s 1 every other game of the regular season. For TD’s, that’s like 2.5 per game. Those seem reasonable when spread across a full season.
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The only improvement I’d be concerned with this season would be more wins.
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“ chief of which being bit by the injury bug at a number of positions. But casting that aside, the biggest threat I see to Gundy’s team realizing its goal stems from a place where the biggest question mark still lies — its defense.”
Let’s be realistic and give a different outlook. I could agree that those could be issues, but there’s a reoccurring theme in about the last 10 to 11 years or so:
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We don’t do as well when we’re expected to even without significant injuries.
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In 2013 we were picked to win the Big 12, and in 2017 we were projected to play in the CCG. We finished 3rd both of those seasons and we didn’t suffer any serious injuries during those seasons.
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What kind of Kasey Dunn am I getting? Am I getting the Kasey Dunn that can’t score a touchdown or double digits against the likes of South Bama and UCF? The one that barely beats teams like Tulsa, Central Arkansas, or Missouri State? Or am I getting the Kasey Dunn that’s created solid game plans against OU? Are we going to play down to the level of the competition or are we going to actually give our best players the ball from the get go?
Do I think they can win it? Sure I do. Do I think they will win it? I haven’t seen anything different since 2011 that tells me otherwise. Until you prove otherwise like Baylor and K State, it’s just a nice subject to imagine.
Note: to be quite honest. I’m more worried about Kasey Dunn than I am Nardo. Nardo is just now entering year two and we’ve already made changes to switch up to a four man front. Which makes sense considering Oliver is more of an edge rusher.
We’re going into year 5 with Dunn and his inconsistency worries me more. I just don’t know what we’re going to get from him game to game. You can bash me all you want, but this has literally been the reality (in my opinion) over the last decade or so overall.
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Which is why I keep telling you and others that Dunn is an average AT BEST OC.
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I’m thinking more along the lines of like 24 /10. He should be at least throwing a couple of touchdowns a game through the regular season, and shouldn’t be throwing too many picks against some of the lower echelon teams in the OOC or conference schedule.
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Just for context here, only the Sooners Dillion Gabriel (30) threw for 28 Tds or more last year in the B12. Next up was Will Howard with 24 and Rocco Becht with 23. Shedeur Sanders threw for 27 in the P12. In fact only 5 P5 Qbs in the nation threw for 28+ Tds last year. They were Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix, Gabriel and Caleb Williams. Four of those guys were 1st round NFL picks last year.
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I see your examples, and raise you 1 Josh Fields: 31 TD and 10 picks. In a non-spread offense with fewer games against tougher defenses in the old Big 12. That’s all I got.
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Bowman has had some crazy games in his career, one of them was against us . We will have to see if he can put it all together in (what should be) his last year . He’s put in the time and the work this last offseason . How that translates to his on the field showing will be determined soon .
Kasey Dunn has got the best chance for him to show what he can do with his returning offense . I hope he takes a step forward too.
I’ve got full faith in everybody . It’s gonna be real grind .
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