Stakes are extremely high going into this year’s Bedlam game. Head coach Lincoln Riley and Oklahoma football will face Mike Gundy and the Oklahoma State Cowboys for the ninth night Bedlam game and the first one in Norman ever.
The stage is set for the whole state of Oklahoma to be watching this game. If Oklahoma wins out, it is in the Big 12 title now. It doesn’t need anyone to lose or anything else other than just win. For Oklahoma State, a Bedlam victory would help the Cowboys’ chances for their first Big 12 title since 2011. Oklahoma State would also just have to win out as well. It is not relying on anyone to lose because it does not need too.
Now, the Sooners remaining games are Oklahoma State, West Virginia and Baylor. Two of those are home games, but Oklahoma will head to Morgantown after Bedlam, two back-to-back games that will not be easy. Oklahoma State on the other hand, has four games left, three of them being on the road. The Cowboys will play at Oklahoma, TCU and Baylor but host Texas Tech at home after Bedlam. Oklahoma State has the tougher schedule, but all eyes will be watching what happens in Norman as it will most likely determine who goes on to the Big 12 Championship.
Sooners keys to winning
It’s pretty obvious the Sooners offense will need to keep rolling to win this game. The defense has been doing a great job at giving the offense chances to really pull away in games early. Riley will want to get the run game going to open up the passing game for Spencer Rattler.
This game will really be a battle of the offensive lines. Both lines for each team will be so crucial in the run game and protecting the respective quarterbacks. For Oklahoma, the defense will be the key in this game.
Oklahoma State has two playmakers on offense that cannot get going, or it will be a long day for this defense. Chubba Hubbard, the Cowboys running back and Tylan Wallace, the Cowboys wide receiver are two NFL-caliber players Oklahoma State will look to get going early. The Sooners need to slow down the run game, get some early stops and apply pressure to Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders. The Oklahoma State offense has struggled this year, but it’s been the defense that has kept them going.
If the Sooners lose, the hopes of a sixth straight Big 12 title will be very unlikely, and it’ll be the first time Oklahoma has lost three games in a season since 2014. Luckily, the Sooners have beaten Oklahoma State every year since 2014. Oklahoma will win this game for how everything stands currently. Except, this season has proven difficult with the curveballs COVID-19 has thrown at everything and everyone. If everyone for the Sooners are healthy and ready to go, Oklahoma football by double digits at home.