Oklahoma State football: 3 reasons the Cowboys will upset No. 9 Oklahoma
November 6, 1904, was the date on which the first installment of the famed Bedlam series took place. On that day, the Oklahoma Sooners scampered their way time and again into the end zone en route to a 75-0 victory over the then-known Oklahoma A&M Tigers. Fast forward to the present day, and this matchup between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State football has been played 117 times (116 in succession), with the Sooners having a stranglehold on the head-to-head series.
But despite the 90-19-7 record in favor of the Crimson and Cream, these games have routinely produced shootout scorelines amidst the backdrop of heated and hostile atmospheres whether from in Norman or in Stillwater.
Sadly though, this year’s installment, the 118th edition of the Oklahoma versus Oklahoma State rivalry, will be its last for the foreseeable future.
With that said, here are three reasons why Oklahoma State will have the last laugh at the expense of its Bedlam bullies.
1. Ollie Gordon II is set to explode
Since dropping back-to-back games in mid-September, Oklahoma State has circled the wagons. The Pokes have now won four fixtures in a row with victories over top 25 foes Kansas and Kansas State included. As such, OSU is now 6-2 and nationally ranked.
The biggest reason for this successful turnaround has to be the outstanding play of the Cowboys’ offensive line and the team’s star running back Ollie Gordon. The former 247Sports Composite four-star recruit is now the FBS’ leading rusher this season and destined to be a Doak Walker Award finalist. The Texas native has already amassed more than 1,000 yards on the ground with 1,087.
In addition, Gordon is earning a remarkable 7.7 yards per carry.
Thus, between this outstanding offensive efficiency and an Oklahoma defense that, according to TeamRankings, currently sits 48th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game, expect to see another heavy dose of Gordon against the Sooners.
Not only will Gordon add to his surging tally of touchdowns (currently ninth in the country with 10 rushing touchdowns), but he and the Oklahoma State offense will control the clock as best it can in an effort to shorten the game and keep quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the Sooners offense off the field.