It’s always a treat when Mike Gundy steps in front of a microphone.

And this week, with Oklahoma State coming to Provo, I figured we’d start by checking in on what the opposing coach is up to these days.

Trust me, it’s even wilder than you thought. Gundy is dealing with a little bit of dizziness because he was ... head-butted by his own cattle.

I’ll let him tell the rest.

“Well I had a little run-in with my cattle over the weekend,” Gundy said while holding his weekly news conference over Zoom instead of in person. “I guess they have been watching us play. And I got head-butted. So I got a bad eye that I didn’t think would be particularly enjoyable for people when they were looking at my pretty face in a live interview.”

He wasn’t done.

He continued, “But more importantly it’s full of blood and I get dizzy. So it is not easy to be upright and be my normal function. But other than that, I’m doing great.”

It shouldn’t affect his availability when BYU hosts the Pokes on Friday night.

But when you get to the stadium on Friday, look at Gundy’s eye.

Back to the Cougars now.

The Big Thing

The backend of BYU’s defense is led by a pair of walk-ons. We’ve already detailed Crew Wakley’s story last week — and explained why Jay Hill isn’t putting one of his best players on scholarship.

But Tanner Wall deserves a look, too.

Wall made one of the better plays of the year against Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita on Saturday. He was shaded over to the other side of the field, streaked to the far side and picked Fifita off at the goal line.

It saved BYU at least three points.

“He’s really improved like crazy,” cornerback Jakob Robinson said. “That’s just him using his eyes and weaving and going to make a play.”

Arguably, Wall’s two best games of the season this year have been Arizona and Kansas State — two of the Cougars’ best opponents.

Last game, he logged 70 snaps (66 at free safety). He and Wakley have taken firm control over that backend.

And to be honest, that is somewhat surprising after this offseason. All year, we heard about Hill’s new playmakers back there. He talked about freshman Tommy Prassas and the return of Micah Harper.

But Wall and Wakley just continue to rise to the top and be Hill’s most trusted players — scholarship or not.

Question of the week?

Does Doak Walker award winner, and Oklahoma State running back, Ollie Gordon III still scare you this week, even if he’s had a down year?

Fourth down

1. Gordon problems

Oklahoma State is in shambles right now. It has lost three straight. Its quarterback play is a mess. But most surprisingly, Gordon III has been off to a slow start.

He has just 384 yards and four touchdowns in six games. Last year alone he has 1,732 yards and 22 touchdowns. He led the nation in yards.

But BYU coach Kalani Sitake said he is still weary of Gordon on Friday night. Coming off a bye week, OSU might have figured out a way to get him going.

2. Quarterback question

Speaking of the running back issues, OSU’s quarterback play has been equally bad. Alan Bowman may or may not get benched this week. Gundy said Bowman’s problems mostly stem from him not setting his feet to throw. But even he admitted, he’s not sure why his quarterback isn’t doing that in games. “We’ve practiced it,” he said.

3. Bruce Mitchell and the miracle center play

BYU started its third-string center on Saturday and Bruce Mitchell delivered a terrific performance. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff wasn’t sacked once.

This week, backup center Sonny Makasini may be healthy enough to play. But does Sitake go with Mitchell or Makasini if he’s back?

4. No Kody Epps, no issue

Epps was out against last week. But BYU’s receiving room might be in good hands, even without its slot option.

Parker Kingston has emerged as the go-to player in that role Epps used to command. His evolution as a physical receiver gives this offense a true fourth option to win contested balls. It is something that Chase Roberts, Darius Lassiter and even Keelan Marion have done well this year.

- That’s it from me! Talk to you after Oklahoma State

Kevin Reynolds