Via Last Word On College Football, by Andrew Miller
The Oklahoma State Cowboys come into the Bedlam rivalry game with a 9-2 (7-1 Big 12) record. While Oklahoma comes into this game with a 9-2 (8-0 Big 12) record. There is a lot at stake for both teams as Saturday’s game is a de facto Big 12 title game. According to the ESPN Football Power Index, the Sooners have a 73 percent chance to win. Furthermore, OU owns this rivalry series with a record of 85-18-7 against Oklahoma State. Yet, the teams are ranked just one spot apart in the College Football Playoff rankings, with the Sooners at nine and the Cowboys at 10. The spread on this game favors OU by 12, and the over/under is at 77.0. Now let’s take a look at the Bedlam keys to victory for Oklahoma State against the Oklahoma Sooners.
Bedlam Keys to Victory for Oklahoma State
Justice Hill and Chris Carson
The Cowboys running game has come on strong to finish the season. True freshman running back Justice Hill is almost over 1,000 yards rushing. Chris Carson has also been tremendous this season averaging 6.9 yards per carry. He also has seven total touchdowns in the last five games, since coming back from injury.
It would be huge for the Pokes to get another 334-yard rushing effort like they did against TCU in week 11. Considering the Sooners are giving up 443.1 total yards per game and 30.5 points per game, the Cowboys rushing attack could have a field day. Look for Carson and Hill to eclipse 200 yards rushing combined.
Win the Turnover Battle
A conference leading 23 turnovers have been generated by the Oklahoma State defense this season. They have thrived off of a bend but not break mentality. While they’re giving up more than 27 points per game and 441.4 yards per game, turnovers have ben vital. The Sooners present matchup problems at almost every position when they’re on offense. OU quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Dede Westbrook will put up big numbers. Causing more turnovers than they give up will be huge for the Pokes.
Furthermore, the plus-nine turnover margin the Cowboys have posted is good for second best in the Big 12.
Overcoming the Bedlam Bug
There is no overlooking the difficulty that the Pokes have had against the Sooners. They got thrashed by a score of 58-23 in last season’s game. However, the Cowboys emerged victorious the last time they visited Gaylord-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman. Yet, that is their only victory in Norman in the last 12 years. Head coach Mike Gundy is more than capable enough to gameplan well enough to beat the Sooners.
The Cowboys came very close to beating Oklahoma in 2012 and 2013, as both games were lost in either the dying seconds of the game or overtime.
It could do wonders for Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph’s draft stock to close out the regular season with a victory, which would put him at 2-0 against OU. He missed Bedlam last year because of a broken foot.
Everything is there for the Cowboys to take down the Sooners. Their offense is averaging just over 500 yards per game. And their defense has momentum after holding a high-powered TCU offense to just six points. That same Horned Frogs offense scored 46 points against the OU defense.
If Oklahoma State can get the monkey off their back and beat OU, that could give them the confidence to start winning consistently in future years.
Prediction
Oklahoma 52, Oklahoma State 50
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