Once again, it\u2019s time for Bedlam.\u00a0 For most Sooner fans, this isn\u2019t much of a competitive rivalry.\u00a0 This game has been played uninterrupted since 1910.\u00a0 Oklahoma won the first game with Oklahoma State 75-0 in 1904.\u00a0 The Sooners lead the series 90-18-7.\u00a0 The Sooners also own the longest winning streak of 19 games from 1946-1964.\u00a0 Oklahoma has won 16 of the last 18 contests.\u00a0 As the statistics clearly show, this is not a true rivalry.<\/p>\n
Although this may be true, 2021 may be an interesting contest(s). \u00a0A Sooner win will create a repeat in the Big XII championship game, while an Oklahoma State victory will end a disappointing Sooner season.<\/p>\n
With these things in mind let\u2019s delve into Oklahoma vs Oklahoma State, bedlam time.<\/p>\n
Uncharacteristically, there is a multitude of repercussions at stake in Stillwater this Saturday evening.\u00a0 In the first place, the outcome of this game will determine the participants in the Big XII championship game. Oklahoma State is in the title game regardless of the outcome.\u00a0 A Sooner victory creates a rematch, while a Cowboy win would pit them against Baylor.\u00a0 Of course, a matchup with Baylor is contingent on a Baylor victory over in-state rival Texas Tech.<\/p>\n
At stake are not only conference implications, but College Football Playoff ramifications. Heading into this bedlam matchup, Oklahoma comes in at number 10 and Oklahoma State sits at number seven.\u00a0 Two more wins by either team give them a good chance to sneak into the four-team College Football Playoffs.<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State rarely enters bedlam as the favorite.\u00a0 The Cowboys are listed as a four-point favorite coming into this game.\u00a0 The Sooners have had an interesting season, to say the least.\u00a0 A victory against the much-hated in-state foe would change all that.<\/p>\n
On the other side, Oklahoma State has been on an even plane most of the season.\u00a0 A victory over their big brother would be the culmination of a great year.<\/p>\n
The Cowboys have been carried by a tough, talented defense all season. \u00a0Led by star linebacker\u00a0<\/strong>Malcolm Rodriguez<\/a>, the Cowboy defense is the top defense in the conference and ranked third nationally.\u00a0 Oklahoma State has allowed one offensive touchdown in its last four games, allowing 5.8 points per game in four games since losing to Iowa State.<\/p>\n The offense has become more and more steady, relying on running back\u00a0Jaylen Warren<\/a>\u00a0and an improving offensive line.\u00a0 The key for the Cowboy offense is ball security by quarterback Spencer Sanders<\/a>.\u00a0 In the past, Sanders has been prone to turnovers and poor decisions with the ball.\u00a0 So far this season Sanders has been more of a game manager, which has been what the Cowboy\u2019s have needed with such a solid defense.<\/p>\n The Sooners have not lived up to lofty expectations coming into 2021.\u00a0 The offense has been up and down.\u00a0 The defense has shown signs of greatness at times, and other times they look listless and lost.\u00a0 On the positive side, the defense played their best game of the season last week against Iowa State.<\/p>\n The offense showed signs of getting the running game going last week as well.\u00a0 After an incredible beginning against Texas, freshman Quarterback Caleb Williams<\/a> has had two straight sub-par performances. \u00a0That being said, Williams gives the Sooners the best chance to be successful moving the ball against a stout Cowboy defense.\u00a0 While Williams hasn\u2019t been very accurate the last two weeks, he has big-play capability on any given snap.<\/p>\n In as far as the defense goes, they showed signs of being dominant last week.\u00a0 The defensive line was virtually unblockable much of the game.\u00a0 Perrion Winfrey<\/a>, Isaiah Thomas<\/a>, and Nik Bonitto<\/a> arguably had their best games of the season.\u00a0 The return of Jalen Redmond<\/a> has made a huge difference in the Sooner defensive line.\u00a0 Add the performance of Brian Asamoah II<\/a> and a defense that is getting healthy at the right time bodes well for the Sooners.<\/p>\nOklahoma<\/h4>\n
The Last Word<\/h3>\n