Bedlam is here.
Oklahoma and Oklahoma State meet for the 115th time on Saturday night. This one, though, comes with major implications.
The two have played each other with a Big 12 Championship or Big 12 game appearance on the line for much of the last decade. The games in 2011, ‘13, ‘15, ‘16 and ‘17 swung the Big 12 Champion to someone else or to the winner.
The loser of the 2020 version is knocked out. The winner is on track to make the Big 12 Championship game.
Oklahoma has steadily been near a touchdown favorite all week. The Sooners have won four-straight with Oklahoma Stare winning its last game against Kansas State after dropping a tough loss to Texas.
What’s so much different? The story is about Oklahoma and Oklahoma State’s defenses. Not the offenses.
Here are the three biggest matchups in Bedlam.
TYLAN WALLACE VS. OKLAHOMA SECONDARY
There is no question that dealing with Tylan Wallace is priority No. 1 for Oklahoma. The do-it-all receiver for Oklahoma State is one of the most competitive players in college football and the Cowboys put him in advantageous situations. Wallace will be lined up out on his own a lot.
The Sooners’ secondary hasn’t been bad since the Iowa State game. They’ve also been in position for much of 2020, but haven’t come up with the big play. We’ll see if that continues and if Tre Brown or Woodi Washington can
OKLAHOMA STATE TACKLES VS. OKLAHOMA EDGE RUSHERS
There is no secret that Oklahoma feels like it has an advantage on the edge against Oklahoma State. The Sooners will have a tough task dealing with Teven Jenkins, but Jake Springfield could be ripe for the taking. How many times Nik Bonitto and Ronnie Perkins get on Springfield’s side is going to be interesting.
You can manage dealing with pressure up the middle a lot more than on the edges where tackles are on virtually an island unless you slide their way. Or running back chips. That hinders your overall capabilities, though.
OKLAHOMA OFFENSIVE LINE VS. OKLAHOMA STATE PRESSURE
This, to me, is by far the most important factor of this game.
Oklahoma State is going to bring loads of pressure. Maybe more than what I am even preparing for.
Oklahoma has been quietly really good by even its standards in pass protection over the last five games. The Sooners should be able to deal with it up front and get in advantages in one-on-one matchups with their wide receivers if the offensive line can hold up long enough for Spencer Rattler.
If Oklahoma accomplishes that? Those explosive plays people aren’t expecting in this Bedlam will be there.
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