Joe DuVall: (@Joe_DuVall)
Avoid quicksand.
That’s what Oklahoma must do when it finds itself amidst the Bedlam frenzy this Saturday.
Oklahoma State may not have the talent or momentum OU does, but they will have the crowd on their side against a Sooners team that has shown a propensity to ride the roller coaster of emotions in a game. The Cowboys are at their best when they’re forcing turnovers, they’re +15 on the season, and piling on their opponents mistakes. It will be imperative for Baker Mayfield to not only limit mistakes, but also their severity. One of the issues Trevor Knight had with his turnovers a year ago was that they would routinely be returned for touchdowns at the absolute worst times in games. Lincoln Riley needs to use Samaje Perine and safe throws to Sterling Shepard to pick up a few first downs when things start to get a little crazy and be prepared to hit Joe Mixon, Mark Andrews, or Dede Westbrook for a big touchdown once Uncle Mo is on his side.
Texas was able to control the game on the ground in its upset bid over Oklahoma, but it will be much tougher sledding for Oklahoma State and their 110th ranked rushing game to pull off the same feat. Mason Rudolph will take his shots downfield, and Oklahoma showed that despite shutting down Corey Coleman, they can still be susceptible to big plays as Kolby Listenbee got behind the defense a few times for 98 yards and Kavontae Turpin busted loose for an 86-yard touchdown. The good news for the Sooners defense is that what both Turpin and Listenbee have in common – ridiculous, world class speed – is something missing from Oklahoma State’s stable of skill position players. James Washington is their big threat, but I like Jordan Thomas to enter the game with the same mentality he had against Corey Coleman when he effectively shut down the Biletnikoff finalist. David Glidden is a solid possession guy and Marcell Ateman can go get a jump ball with anybody, but neither will strike fear in Mike Stoops’ heart if left in one-on-one situations.
If the Cowboys offense is forced to be one dimensional, Rudolph may not have time to take shots if Eric Striker, Devante Bond, Charles Walker, and the on-fire Charles Tapper can pin their ears back and tee off on an offensive line that allowed six sacks a week ago to Baylor.
I think it’s a game where OU will have to ride the initial wave, settle down the crowd, and then attempt to hold-off a furious charge from the Cowboys.
Oklahoma 40
Oklahoma State 31
Eddie Radosevich: (@Eddie_Rado)
Almost 30 years to the day parts of the Sooner State will begin thaw themselves from Old Man Winter, while Oklahoma and Oklahoma State get set to wage battle on the gridiron.
Much like 1985, Oklahoma heads to Stillwater with national title hopes alive and well. Just a month ago you couldn't have possibly dreamed up a scenario as large as this.
What's gotten them here? A little bit of everything would be the right answer.
Over the last six weeks it's been nothing short of a transformation. Every Sooners win has come with jaw dropping play by Baker Mayfield, and suffocating defense aided by a flurry of turnovers.
Whether it's protecting Mayfield in the pass game or opening holes for Perine and Mixon in the run, winning the line of scrimmage will be a determining factor.
On paper, Oklahoma fans should like this. Charles Tapper has raised the level of his game, Bill Bedenbaugh's starting five has continued to mesh since Week One.
For Oklahoma it's another opportunity to prove itself on the national stage. After years of coming up short perhaps ... just perhaps ... Big Game Bob has returned. I like Perine and Mixon too much on the ground as Oklahoma nails down the 9th conference title of the Stoops era, earning themselves a bid to the College Football Playoff.
Oklahoma 32
Oklahoma State 24
Josh McCuistion:
Games that are hard to predict...
1) Rivalry games.
2) Night games.
3) Games in bad weather.
Check, check, and check.
This game could go a lot of different ways but to me when weather gets bad, potentially wet (though that concern seems to be subsiding somewhat), my golden rule works out - he who wins up front, wins.
A huge question for Oklahoma will be how their two young tackles handle the tremendously dangerous Emmanuel Ogbah, one of the nation's better edge rushers who combines the ability to pressure not only in pass situations but also against the run game. If they can manage him they should be able to at least stalemate the Oklahoma State defensive unit - which aside from Ogbah is a good, not great, group.
On the flip side of the ball Oklahoma State's offensive line isn't as special as some units we've seen in years past and are facing what has clearly become the Big 12's best defensive front.
But really the end all be all of bad weather games, particularly for teams on the road, is the ability to run the ball and wear down an emotionally charged defense - and perhaps as importantly taking the crowd out of the game.
And I simply think that Oklahoma's offensive line, and defensive line, will win the battle up front more consistently than the Cowboys and simply won't have to put the ball in the air and into danger as frequently.
This game will be close throughout but think you see the Sooners pull away late.
And again this is, of course, all assuming a healthy Baker Mayfield.
Oklahoma 41
Oklahoma State 24
Avoid quicksand.
That’s what Oklahoma must do when it finds itself amidst the Bedlam frenzy this Saturday.
Oklahoma State may not have the talent or momentum OU does, but they will have the crowd on their side against a Sooners team that has shown a propensity to ride the roller coaster of emotions in a game. The Cowboys are at their best when they’re forcing turnovers, they’re +15 on the season, and piling on their opponents mistakes. It will be imperative for Baker Mayfield to not only limit mistakes, but also their severity. One of the issues Trevor Knight had with his turnovers a year ago was that they would routinely be returned for touchdowns at the absolute worst times in games. Lincoln Riley needs to use Samaje Perine and safe throws to Sterling Shepard to pick up a few first downs when things start to get a little crazy and be prepared to hit Joe Mixon, Mark Andrews, or Dede Westbrook for a big touchdown once Uncle Mo is on his side.
Texas was able to control the game on the ground in its upset bid over Oklahoma, but it will be much tougher sledding for Oklahoma State and their 110th ranked rushing game to pull off the same feat. Mason Rudolph will take his shots downfield, and Oklahoma showed that despite shutting down Corey Coleman, they can still be susceptible to big plays as Kolby Listenbee got behind the defense a few times for 98 yards and Kavontae Turpin busted loose for an 86-yard touchdown. The good news for the Sooners defense is that what both Turpin and Listenbee have in common – ridiculous, world class speed – is something missing from Oklahoma State’s stable of skill position players. James Washington is their big threat, but I like Jordan Thomas to enter the game with the same mentality he had against Corey Coleman when he effectively shut down the Biletnikoff finalist. David Glidden is a solid possession guy and Marcell Ateman can go get a jump ball with anybody, but neither will strike fear in Mike Stoops’ heart if left in one-on-one situations.
If the Cowboys offense is forced to be one dimensional, Rudolph may not have time to take shots if Eric Striker, Devante Bond, Charles Walker, and the on-fire Charles Tapper can pin their ears back and tee off on an offensive line that allowed six sacks a week ago to Baylor.
I think it’s a game where OU will have to ride the initial wave, settle down the crowd, and then attempt to hold-off a furious charge from the Cowboys.
Oklahoma 40
Oklahoma State 31
Eddie Radosevich: (@Eddie_Rado)
Almost 30 years to the day parts of the Sooner State will begin thaw themselves from Old Man Winter, while Oklahoma and Oklahoma State get set to wage battle on the gridiron.
Much like 1985, Oklahoma heads to Stillwater with national title hopes alive and well. Just a month ago you couldn't have possibly dreamed up a scenario as large as this.
What's gotten them here? A little bit of everything would be the right answer.
Over the last six weeks it's been nothing short of a transformation. Every Sooners win has come with jaw dropping play by Baker Mayfield, and suffocating defense aided by a flurry of turnovers.
Whether it's protecting Mayfield in the pass game or opening holes for Perine and Mixon in the run, winning the line of scrimmage will be a determining factor.
On paper, Oklahoma fans should like this. Charles Tapper has raised the level of his game, Bill Bedenbaugh's starting five has continued to mesh since Week One.
For Oklahoma it's another opportunity to prove itself on the national stage. After years of coming up short perhaps ... just perhaps ... Big Game Bob has returned. I like Perine and Mixon too much on the ground as Oklahoma nails down the 9th conference title of the Stoops era, earning themselves a bid to the College Football Playoff.
Oklahoma 32
Oklahoma State 24
Josh McCuistion:
Games that are hard to predict...
1) Rivalry games.
2) Night games.
3) Games in bad weather.
Check, check, and check.
This game could go a lot of different ways but to me when weather gets bad, potentially wet (though that concern seems to be subsiding somewhat), my golden rule works out - he who wins up front, wins.
A huge question for Oklahoma will be how their two young tackles handle the tremendously dangerous Emmanuel Ogbah, one of the nation's better edge rushers who combines the ability to pressure not only in pass situations but also against the run game. If they can manage him they should be able to at least stalemate the Oklahoma State defensive unit - which aside from Ogbah is a good, not great, group.
On the flip side of the ball Oklahoma State's offensive line isn't as special as some units we've seen in years past and are facing what has clearly become the Big 12's best defensive front.
But really the end all be all of bad weather games, particularly for teams on the road, is the ability to run the ball and wear down an emotionally charged defense - and perhaps as importantly taking the crowd out of the game.
And I simply think that Oklahoma's offensive line, and defensive line, will win the battle up front more consistently than the Cowboys and simply won't have to put the ball in the air and into danger as frequently.
This game will be close throughout but think you see the Sooners pull away late.
And again this is, of course, all assuming a healthy Baker Mayfield.
Oklahoma 41
Oklahoma State 24
