Oklahoma Football: 3 bold predictions for 2023 version of Bedlam

By Erika Brown | Nov 4, 2023

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 19: Long snapper Matt Hembrough #53 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys snaps the ball for a field goal with protection from lineman Jake Springfield #61, lineman Caleb Etienne #76, and defensive end Kody Walterscheid #96 against the Oklahoma Sooners in the fourth quarter during Bedlam at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners won 28-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

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Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel celebrates a touchdown vs UCF

Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel (8) celebrates a touchdown with Jackson Arnold (10) and Davis Beville (11) in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Central Florida Knights at Gaylord Family Oklahoma-Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 21, 2023. /

3. It will be a high-scoring game for both teams

This is Big 12 football, after all. Oklahoma is currently averaging 41.9 points per game, which is the highest-scoring offense in the big 12.

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel is already a Heisman contender, with 2,302 yards and 19 touchdowns. He spreads the ball around generously, with 16 different players recording receptions this year. Gabriel’s favorite target is Drake Stoops, who has 40 receptions on the year.

Oklahoma State’s defense struggles in stopping the big play down the field, and will need to step up to stop Gabriel, whose average depth of target is 9.1 yards per reception.

On the flip side you have Oklahoma State, whose offensive is relying heavily on Ollie Gordon II. He is the No. 1 running back in the nation in total yards, and this offense looks stagnant when he isn’t fed the ball.

Quarterback Alan Bowman has showed his leadership since being named the starter. He’s completing 57 percent of his passes and has only been sacked four times on the year. He will need to find his receivers in the passing game though, with senior Brennan Presley as his favorite target.

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