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Seven points on how Oklahoma can take down Oklahoma State in Bedlam
Bedlam is what happens when Oklahoma and Oklahoma State get together. Saturday night is this year's edition of the heated rivalry.
1. Baker Mayfield: Looks as if he will start but how effective will the Heisman candidate be in Stillwater? With Mayfield on the field, OU's chances of leaving the land of orange and black with a win is enhanced. Baker might as well be wearing a bull's-eye on his white jersey instead of No. 6 but the inspirational and gritty signa- caller is unquestionably a difference-maker.
2. The weather: Where's Gary England, the world's most dangerous meteorologist, when you need him? The weather prediction is calling for temperatures in the mid-30s and likely freezing rain during Bedlam. Obviously, both teams have to play in it but Mother Nature usuaally asserts herself at some point in the proceedings. The team that best handles the weather conditions likely will win. "Handling" the conditions, includes responding in a productive way after losing a fumble or throwing a pick which is going to occur.
3. OU secondary: This group has played well against both Baylor and TCU but neither Big 12 adversary had its starting QB in those games. Oklahoma State has two QBs that will likely not only share playing time but could well end up on the field at the same time. The Cowboys have excellent receivers who both pass happy Mason Rudolph and the dangerous J.W. Walsh, who has 11 rushing TDs and 11 passing TDs, will utilize. Can the back end of the OU defense do it one more time and not give up big plays as we saw versus TCU? Will OSU use Walsh to run on OU ala Texas in October?
4. Hostility: Oklahoma responds well to adversity during road games. Knoxville and Waco quickly come to mind. The Sooners seem to feed off the hostility of the home crowd as if Stoops Troops were pro wrestling villains. There is no doubt that it will immensely gnarly and loud as OSU has one of the best home field advantages in the Big 12, significantly better than we see more often than not in Norman. Oklahoma keeping the rowdies from OSU silenced and out of the game is nearly as big as T. Boone's bank account.
5. Samaje and Joe: As in Perine and Mixon who both are going to play with sore ankles but the good news is they are playing. If the Sooners can get their running backs involved early and manipulate the game clock the bus ride back to Norman will be a nice trip. One can assume that if OU doesn't have a 100 yard rusher that they likely won't win this game that is for an outright Big 12 Title for Oklahoma plus the opportunity, one has to assume, to play for the National Title. It's a huge challenge for OU's young, offensive line to play not only with aggression but to play like cerebral assassins and avoid costly penalties.
6. Mark Andrews: Former Sooner tight ends like Jermaine Gresham and James Hanna have been impact players during Bedlam. The 6-foot6, 250-pound Andrews is a matchup nightmare and has the speed to score from any place on the field. One of my most frequent day dreams is Andrews channeling former Sooner TE Keith Jackson and doing damage on an end around. Bottom line is this, if Sterling Shepard is double covered, Andrews, and other OU receivers can't be and that should be problematic for the Pokes.
7. Can you handle The truth? The truth is that the first Bedlam game was played three years before statehood in 1904 and was played in Guthrie in weather much like is predicted for this Saturday in Stillwater. The truth is if OU wins that they will be the outright Big 12 Champions and after vaulting to No. 3 in the CFB Playoff rankings this week should be a lock to be a final four team, which could lead to an eighth National Title for Oklahoma. The truth is that OSU has recently been a Bedlam heartbreaker, including winning last year in Norman when the Cowboys came into the game a 17 point underdog. So the cold, hard truth is that Mike Gundy's team, on their senior's last game ever at home, would covet for the rest of their lives the fact that they ruined OU's season including costing the Sooners a Big 12 Title and a chance to play for the National Title.
OU will have to play near perfect football to escape Payne County Saturday night with a victory. I see OSU as a tougher place to win than Waco was a couple of weeks ago primarily because of the 111-year Bedlam rivalry and the fact of what's at stake for both teams in their last regular-season game. (No Big 12 Conference title game is ridiculous, by the way.) At the end of the night, it may simply come down to turnovers and whose QB can remain vertical the most. That translates to what defensive unit can play colder than an ex-mother in law's hug by applying unrelenting pressure on the signal callers. If a game ever had Slobber Knocker written all over it, it's this one.
Prediction: Oklahoma 27 OSU 25
Happy Thanksgiving and Boomer Sooner to all!
Jim Ross @JRsBBQ
J.R. is an Oklahoma native who lives in Norman with his wife Jan. He's a WWE Hall of Fame broadcaster, two-time New York Times Best Selling author, and is recognized as the "Voice of Pro Wrestling" after a 40-year career in the field. His podcast, The Ross Report, can be heard on iTunes weekly and is one of the most listened to podcasts in the world. JR's line of BBQ Sauces, Chipotle Ketchup, Jalapeno Honey Mustard, and All Purpose Seasoning/Dry Rub are available at the three Norman Homeland Grocery Stores and online at www.wweshop.com.
