The annual Bedlam game is set for Saturday night when No. 17/18 Oklahoma hosts No. 14 Oklahoma State in Norman.
It is a game vital to the Big 12 title race and still could potentially impact the College Football Playoff situation down the line depending on how things shake out.
“The annual Bedlam showdown has Big 12 title implications, though its playoff relevance is nominal,” wrote USA TODAY’s Eddie Timanus in his five games “five games that could make the biggest impact for the College Football Playoff. “The Cowboys might still have a path to the national semifinal, albeit a convoluted one, but a second loss would remove that slim possibility. The Sooners, already with two league losses, are more interested in keeping their conference championship streak alive.”
He agrees with the sentiment that there isn’t all that much College Football Playoff impact with the game, really only seeing the Cowboys as the team with a slim path to college football’s final four since they only have one loss.
“Both teams were off last week, a welcome break for all parties as they rested various injuries,” Timanus wrote. “Cowboys QB Spencer Sanders has been battling through a bad ankle for much of the season and could finally be near full speed, while Sooners QB Spencer Rattler sustained a hip pointer in his most recent outing against Kansas but should also be good to go. The Cowboys’ defense has the statistical advantage, but LB Amen Ogbongbemiga and DB Tre Sterling must keep tabs on Sooners’ big-play receivers Marvin Mims and Austin Stogner. The OU ground defense, led by LB Brian Asamoah, has held up reasonably well, but Cowboys RB Chuba Hubbard, who has also been slowed by injuries, seems due for a breakout game.”
The game is no doubt among the biggest in college football this week, as it was good enough to garner ESPN’s College Gameday making the trip to Norman this weekend.
Bedlam is set for 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday night at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and will be broadcast on ABC.
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