Is Mason Rudolph underrated?

Let's take a break amid all the basketball speculations and focus on what Oklahoma State really cares about: football.=

As a sophomore, Mason Rudolph just put up the best statistical season by an OSU quarterback not named Brandon Weeden. He led a team with no business winning double-digit games to a 10-win season and a berth in a New Years Eve bowl game. The Cowboys had no threat of a run game to compliment an offensive line that gave up over 30 sacks throughout the season.

Yet, Rudolph threw for 3,770 yards in a completely one dimensional offense. With all that being said, Rudolph still feels underrated.  Perhaps it's because Rudolph wasn't the only quarterback getting attention for the Pokes last year. Maybe it's because conference rivals like Oklahoma, Baylor, TCUn and even Texas Tech arguably had better quarterbacks last year (although give me Rudolph over Patrick Mahomes any day of the week).

Mason Rudolph was definitely overshadowed last year and could possibly be overshadowed next year as well. Baker Mayfield and Seth Russell will garner plenty Heisman buzz, while Mahomes could be a dark horse for the award. That leaves Rudolph and the rest of the Cowboys silently creeping in the dark where they excel so well. However, where's the love for No. 2? Even within our own fan base, there seems to be an uncertainty with Rudolph still. Has he not proven he's a winner? We all remember what he did in Norman as a freshman, but what he was able to accomplish this past year should not be overlooked. Mayfield was great because he had a two-headed monster in the backfield to take the workload of him.

Baylor had another 1,000 yard rusher in Shock Linwood, while Aaron Green and Trevone Boykin combined for over 2,000 yards rushing for TCU. If Rudolph had a 1,000 yard rusher at his disposal, the sky would have been the limit.  By the time Rudolph graduates, he will own every Oklahoma State passing record, at least he's on track to. By the time Rudolph graduates, he'll have more wins than any other Oklahoma State quarterback (hopefully).

The thing that currently separates Weeden from the rest of the pack - and by pack I mean Mason Rudolph - is his Fiesta Bowl win. Weeden led Oklahoma State to new heights and a record of wins in a season. The stats will take care of themselves for Rudolph, but if he wants to be remembered as the unanimous quarterback GOAT for OSU, it might be playoffs or bust. Give Rudolph a little help with the ground game and don't give up 50 points a game on defense and we'll all see just how far Rudolph can take this deprived program.