Tag: Mike Gundy

3 keys for Oklahoma against Oklahoma State

Bedlam is here. Here are three keys for Oklahoma as they travel north to Stillwater to take on in-state rival Oklahoma State.

It’s Bedlam.

No. 7 Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) has had a lackluster last four games, but came out victorious in the last three. No. 21 Oklahoma State (8-3, 5-3) is starting to hit its stride after season-ending injuries to star receiver Tylan Wallace and rising quarterback Spencer Sanders.

Again, the Sooners are in a must win situation if they want to play in the College Football Playoff and will need to win in style.

Here are three keys for Oklahoma in Bedlam against Oklahoma State.

CHUBA, CHUBA, CHUBA

Oklahoma has heard about him all the week, and the Sooners are going to hear more about him here.

Chuba Hubbard may well be the best running back in college football. The explosive running back is averaging 6.4 yards a carry for 1,832 yards and 20 touchdowns. He’s Oklahoma State now, and Oklahoma will need to contain him if it wants to leave Stillwater with a win.

How the Cowboys’ offensive line is able to deal with Neville Gallimore, Kenneth Murray and the Oklahoma defense will be key. The Sooners’ front seven is going to be under a big spotlight.

TAKE CARE OF THE FOOTBALL

It’s science if you ask Alex Grinch.

Oklahoma’s offense is a great example of how takeaways equal victory. The defense has been just good enough to overcome short fields and being put in bad situations after the Sooners’ offense has turned the football over eight times in the last three games.

Turnovers are the difference between two blowouts against Iowa State and TCU, and maybe a comfortable win in Waco, Texas, against Baylor.

This game is solely on Jalen Hurts turning a corner and taking care of the football.

FIELD POSITION

The Oklahoma offense has put the Oklahoma defense in bad spots the last four games.

Alex Grinch’s defense has been good in 2019, but dating back to his Washington State days, his defenses has given up points when given short fields to defend.

If Jalen Hurts and the Oklahoma offense can continue to get deep into opponent’s territory, that will at least force Oklahoma State to have to go the length of the field with a backup quarterback and a more one dimensional offense.

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When, where, how to watch, how to stream Oklahoma-Oklahoma State (Bedlam)

It’s Bedlam. Here is everything you need to know about the game between in-state rivals Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

It’s Bedlam.

No. 7 Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) has had a lackluster last four games, but came out victorious in the last three. No. 21 Oklahoma State (8-3, 5-3) is starting to hit its stride after season-ending injuries to star receiver Tylan Wallace and rising quarterback Spencer Sanders.

Again, the Sooners are in a must win situation if they want to play in the College Football Playoff and will need to win in style.

Here is everything you need to know about Bedlam between Oklahoma game and Oklahoma State.

WHERE: Stillwater, Oklahoma

WHEN: 7 p.m. CT

HOW TO WATCH: FOX

HOW TO LISTEN: Sooner Sports Radio Network—KOKC AM 1520 and KRXO 107.7 FM in OKC, KMOD FM 97.5 and KTBZ AM 1430 in Tulsa (click here for more options if not in either of those markets)

HOW TO STREAM: FOX Sports Go, FOX Sports App

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The 3 biggest storylines of the 114th Bedlam (Oklahoma-Oklahoma State)

Ahead of the 114th matchup in Bedlam series history, there are several surefire players, as well as several question marks. Here are the three biggest storylines in the Sooners and Cowboys matchup. 

Ahead of the 114th matchup in Bedlam series history, there are several surefire players, as well as several question marks. Here are the three biggest storylines in the Sooners and Cowboys matchup.

HEISMAN HUBBARD

The question isn’t can the Sooners stop Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard, it’s can they minimize the damage. The sophomore from Canada averages 167 rushing yards per game, rushing for over 200 yards four times and less than 100 just once against McNeese State in the second game of the year. The Sooners have, and without making the College Football Playoffs, will not see another player like Hubbard. Their only hope is that Ronnie Perkins and Neville Gallimore can anchor a D-Line that will limit his production on Saturday. 

MAN VERSUS THE MULLET

The Sooners have someone of their own with massive production this year. Jalen Hurts, you may have heard of him. Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy certainly has, citing “it’s a one-man show,”. Gundy is obviously going to try and do everything in his power to limit specifically Hurts production, but it remains to be seen if that’s even possible, as he averages 396 total yards per game this season. Tune in Saturday to see if Gundy can perform miracles. 

MAKING DRU

With starter Spencer Sanders out due to thumb surgery, the Hawaii transfer Dru Brown is possibly the biggest question mark for both teams this weekend. He had a good outing versus West Virginia, completing 22 of his 29 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns. He didn’t try to force anything, which could be his downfall against the high-powered Sooners. If he can’t make some much-needed throw against Oklahoma, the Cowboys might be in trouble. 

How Oklahoma wins, loses against Oklahoma State in Bedlam

No. 7 Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1) makes the hour and a half trip North to Stillwater to play No. 21 Oklahoma State (8-3, 5-3)…

No. 7 Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1) makes the hour and a half trip North to Stillwater to play No. 21 Oklahoma State (8-3, 5-3) for the one-hundred and fourteenth edition of Bedlam.

OKLAHOMA WINS IF…

… they allow more hands on the ball. Jalen Hurts’ turnovers are without a doubt an issue but are a byproduct of his high usage rate. With Hurts running the ball over 20 times a game for the later part of the season, the running backs have not quite gotten their fair share of carries.

If the Sooners want to dominate the Cowboys, they need to get the ball into the hands of their playmakers.

… the defense plays like they have for the past six quarters. Ever since the second half of the Baylor game, Oklahoma has been dominant on the defensive side of the ball. Although, ESPN may say something different, the Sooners have been all in on the Alex Grinch brand of football.

OKLAHOMA LOSES IF…

… Dru Brown torches the defense. Oklahoma has not had the best success when facing a backup quarterback over the years. With Brown down one of the best receivers in the nation in Tylan Wallace, Brown will be more willing to share the ball rather than force feed Wallace.

…they cannot stop Chuba Hubbard. I’m not saying they need to keep Hubbard under a hundred yards, but the Sooners need to keep him behind the chains when they can. If ‘SpeedD’ can not get downhill before Hubbard gets moving, Oklahoma will be in for a dog fight.

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What Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy had to say about Oklahoma

Bedlam is on the horizon. Here is what Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy had to say about the Cowboys’ upcoming game against Oklahoma. 

Bedlam is set up to be another weird and wacky game.

No. 7 Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1) will travel just an hour to take on No. 21 Oklahoma State (8-3, 5-3) in its annual in-state rivalry.

Both head coaches had their press conferences to preview Saturday’s game.

Here is what Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy had to say about the Cowboys’ upcoming game against Oklahoma.

ON THE CHALLENGE OF FACING JALEN HURTS

“You got to play five-on-five, six-on-six or seven-on-seven because of the willingness for them to run him and his willingness to run and he’s an extra guy. And sometimes against them, because they are triple option—you can watch the tape—the back comes here and he blocks, they fake to the other back, he goes up and block and (Hurts) runs the ball. That’s just triple option. In most cases, they are going to have equal numbers. So you have to be able to get off blocks and you got to be able to tackle. That’s what it comes down to. The more I watched it, I kept thinking, ‘There’s only one guy that ever touches the ball,’ and it’s him. He’s a one-man show.”

ON CEEDEE LAMB: 

“He’s a good player. You can tell they missed him in the Baylor game. He’s an explosive player. Preseason, they threw it to him down the field. Once you got into the league play, where guys know each other, caught a lot of underneath routes, tweeners and a little bit of cross-country stuff. Good player.”

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Oklahoma opens just under 2 touchdown favorites against Oklahoma State

Oklahoma has had a hard time covering the spread the last three weeks, including Iowa State and TCU coming back from down 21 to cover. 

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No. 7 Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1) has had a hard time covering the spread the last three weeks, including Iowa State and TCU coming back from down 21 to cover.

That, still, has not stopped oddsmakers from giving the Sooners respect.

Oklahoma was its lowest betting favorite two weeks ago against Baylor, but the Sooners are its third lowest betting favorite of the year this week against in-state rival and No. 21 ranked Oklahoma State (8-3, 5-3).

Lincoln Riley and the Sooners will travel an hour north on Interstate-35 to Stillwater, Oklahoma, and have opened up as 12.5-point favorites, according to BetMGM.

Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. ET. 

The Cowboys struggled during the middle of the season, but have since rattled off four-straight wins, including one on the road at Iowa State. It’s Bedlam, though, so the throw the record books out and expect the unexpected.

“Want to get in on the action? Place your bet now at BetMGM.”

Oklahoma and Oklahoma State will kickoff on Saturday at 7 p.m. CT on FOX.

*Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Kickoff time, broadcast details set for Oklahoma-Oklahoma State (Bedlam)

Both Sooners and Cowboys fans will be able to sleep in Thanksgiving weekend. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State get a night kickoff for Bedlam.

Both Sooners and Cowboys fans will be able to sleep in Thanksgiving weekend.

After having five straight 11AM kickoffs, the Sooners will close the regular season with four straight primetime games.

Bedlam gets the primetime treatment on FOX, showcasing one of the Big 12’s best rivalries as of late.

Oklahoma played Iowa State, Baylor, TCU and will now play Oklahoma State all in primetime to close out the back half of the Sooners’ schedule. With this much exposure in the spotlight, Oklahoma has taken advantage of their opportunities so far with a near upset against Iowa State and a historic 25-point comeback against Baylor.

This will be the one hundredth and fourteenth meeting between the Sooners and Cowboys. Oklahoma leads the all-time series with 88 wins, 18 losses and seven ties.

The Sooners have yet to lose a game against Oklahoma State since 2014, winning 58-23 in 2015, 38-20 in 2016, 62-52 in 2017 and 48-47 last year in Norman.

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