OSU Notebook: The Arkansas factor
BY JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
11/13/12 at 3:58 AM
Three Big 12 coaches have been mentioned as possible candidates to become the next coach at Arkansas. Two will share a field Saturday, when Mike Gundy's Oklahoma State team will play a home finale against Tommy Tuberville's Texas Tech squad.
Gundy was asked Monday about reports that have linked him to Arkansas. He declined comment, saying he does not want to talk about speculative reports or other jobs.
After leading OSU to school-record 12 victories and the program's first BCS bowl appearance last season, Gundy was rewarded with a new contract that extends through the 2019 season. The net worth of the contract is $29.725 million.
Arkansas, which reportedly will break the bank for a new coach, is searching for a replacement for John L. Smith, who is completing a one-season interim stint.
TCU's Gary Patterson also has been mentioned as an Arkansas candidate.
Quick healer: Redshirt freshman quarterback J.W. Walsh was initially thought to be out for the season with an injury he sustained in an Oct. 20 game against Iowa State. Walsh was green-lighted to play in OSU's most recent game, but did not take the field.
"J.W. is still not ready to play in my opinion," Gundy said, adding that Walsh practiced "some" last week. "When I watched him, I didn't think he was ready to play. Now, whether that could change this week based on five more days of healing, I don't know."
Who's the man?: OSU has won games with three quarterbacks this season. Gundy indicated the Cowboys won't make a public announcement about which of them will start against Texas Tech.
Junior quarterback Clint Chelf made his first career start and went the distance against West Virginia because starter Wes Lunt was dealt a blow to the head one week earlier. Gundy said he expects Lunt to be cleared "full go" for a Tuesday practice.
Loaded offense: Because senior receiver Tracy Moore is taking a medical redshirt season and senior fullback Kye Staley has been granted a sixth year of eligibility, every OSU player who has scored a touchdown this season will return next season. That's contingent, of course, on every player with eligibility returning.
"Tracy certainly adds a different level there, almost like Orie Lemon," Gundy said, referring to a former OSU linebacker whose senior season was postponed one year by injury.
"Joe Randle is obviously a good player, but Tracy is our best offensive player. Kye Staley is going to get another year. Kye Staley gives us a lot. We've got a lot of guys coming back who can make plays."
