It’s rivalry week in college football across the country. But what makes a rivalry? Is a series as lopsided as this one truly a rivalry? No team has lost more times to one team than Oklahoma State has to Oklahoma. With this one-sided series in mind, it’s still referred to as the Bedlam game. With this being said here is the preview of Oklahoma vs Oklahoma State, “Bedlam”
Oklahoma vs Oklahoma State
This is the most one-sided rivalry in college football. The overall record between the two schools is dominated by the Sooners, 88-17-7. Actually, the only thing that makes this game a rivalry is the in-state hatred by the two teams and the fans of the respective schools. This doesn’t mean the game doesn’t hold importance. This game is important for in state recruiting, as well as bragging rights for a year.
All though it’s not the case this year, this game has many times affected who plays in the Big XII tittle game. The Cowboys are mostly playing for pride, while the Sooners still have a chance to make it to the CFB Playoffs.
Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State has had the misfortune of some key injuries, especially on the offensive side. Oklahoma State lost Tylan Wallace, one of the nation’s top wide receiver to a season ending knee injury. The Cowboys also lost starting freshman quarterback Spencer Sanders to a hand injury requiring surgery about 10 days ago.
On the positive side, Oklahoma State still has the nation’s leading rusher Chuba Hubbard. The Cowboys have a defense that has seemed to improve as the season has progressed.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma has already secured a spot in the Big XII tittle game. Oklahoma will be playing for a fifth consecutive Big XII championship, and a chance to play in the CFB Playoffs.
Oklahoma has not put together four good quarters of football in conference play. The defense seemed to go into a slump for two games mid-season. The defense has played extremely well since halftime of the Baylor game. The defense has been dominant since that game. The defense totally shut down TCU’S offense last Saturday. The Sooners turnovers on offense kept the game closer that it should have been.
The Oklahoma offense has been inconsistent at best in recent contests. At quarterback, Jalen Hurts has been very careless with the ball. Hurts has committed five turnovers in the last two games. He has struggled with accuracy lately, especially on the deep ball. Hurts has become increasingly impatient in the pocket. If his primary receiver is not open, he immediately tucks the ball and runs. Hurts has way too many carries, especially in this offense. The Sooners opponents have begun to figure out the one man show, to quote Cowboy’s head coach Mike Gundy. The Oklahoma offensive line is playing well, and the Sooners have too many weapons on offense to rely so heavily on Hurts running the ball. Hurts is a senior and a leader, he needs to take better care of the football.
The Final Word
In conclusion, the Cowboys have had to rely heavily on Hubbard to consistently move the ball recently. Although they have steadily improved on defense, they may not be enough to get a victory Saturday night in Stillwater. In addition, it seems unclear why coach Gundy would provide bulletin material for the Sooners. Gundy stated in reference to Oklahoma’s offense “It’s a one-man show. This is a triple-option team and it’s just disguised as a spread. You have to make tackles on him. It’s a one-man show.” Probably not the most intelligent thing to say heading in to Bedlam.
It should be interesting to see if the Sooners offense can show up and put four quarters together. It appears the defense has hit its stride at this point of the season. The Cowboys will have a difficult time scoring points, with limited resources on offense.
The Sooners need to develop some consistency and put four quarters together on offense heading into the post season.
Oklahoma 38
Oklahoma State 23
