According to the Oxford dictionary bedlam is a scene of uproar and confusion. This definition is a perfect way to describe what we see on the field each season between the Pokes and Sooners. From Tyreek Hill’s unreal punt return that gave us the legendary call “THIS … IS … BEDLAM!” to an offensive shootout between Baker Mayfield and Mason Rudolph in which OU won 62-52, this rivalry has provided countless legendary moments.
It feels like that kind of afternoon this Saturday when Oklahoma heads to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State at 3:30 ET on ABC. Dillon Gabriel and the Sooners were riding high after a huge win at the Red River Rivalry. After a win at home vs UCF, they were 7-0 heading into Lawrence. That is where the roadblock occurred as the upstart Jayhawks team took down the Sooners and the goalposts, 38-33.
Oklahoma State started off the season with a 33-7 loss at home to South Alabama that had fans ready to call it quits. However, since a loss at Iowa State the following week, two-time transfer QB Alan Bowman and the Pokes have rattled off four straight wins. Bowman started his career in the BIG-12 with Texas Tech before heading to Michigan for two seasons. Bowman has found a home for his final year, and under Mike Gundy has thrown for 1580 and eight touchdowns to start 2023.
The real workhorse of the Cowboys offense is Fort Worth native Ollie Gordon II. Ollie has been simply unbelievable for OSU this season, rushing for 1087 yards and ten touchdowns. On top of that he has ran for over 270 yards in each of the last two games, with four touchdowns at WVU and two at Cincy playing his way into the Heisman discussion.
Dillon Gabriel has been incredible in his second year with Oklahoma, throwing for 2302 yards and 19 touchdowns with just four interceptions. Brett Venables and the Sooners control their own destiny to make it back to the BIG-12 championship game and a potential RRR rematch, however Bedlam stands in their way.
The Pokes come into this game as six-point underdogs (via Caesars Sportsbook). However, Oklahoma has been getting gashed on the ground in their last three games giving up over 150 yads per game on the ground. I expect Boone Pickens Stadium to be rocking Saturday, and the legs of Ollie Gordon II to be churning. Give me Oklahoma State to pull the Bedlam upset 42-38.
