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1. Bedlam: Pandemonium, mayhem, and chaos are among the many ways to define Bedlam but the bottom line is that the winner of Saturday's showdown (FOX, noon) is the Big 12 Champion. No voting, no committees, no polls, and no politics (Thank Goodness). The best team will decide the outcome of this annual Slobber Knocker.
2. Quarterback battle: The defense that can best alter the other team's QB play increases its chances to win this game. That indicates that the squad that can protect their signal caller better has the advantage. The play of the offensive lines has never been more paramount than it will be Saturday. Baker Mayfield and Mason Rudolph may be friends off the field but their teammates likely won't share that camaraderie.
3. Running game: The Sooners seemingly had the edge in a significant way in this department earlier in the season over their in-state rival but the past few weeks OSU has rediscovered their running attack. Both defenses first order of business is to execute restaurant quality tackling and stop the enemy's running game. If this is Samaje Perrine and Joe Mixon's last game in Norman, let's hope that they go out in style. Keeping the other team's, high octane offense off the field is imperative and a productive running game facilitates such.
4. Sooner secondary: There is no doubt that the Cowboys will challenge OU's DBs, especially with the deep ball, while looking for big plays that will take the Sooner faithful out of the game. Will the maligned secondary of coach Mike Stoops rise to the occasion and play their best game of the year when it matters most? Rudolph (25 TDs vs Ints) is the best QB OU has played this year, when he's vertical. The Sooner pass defense is allowing 287.5 yards per game, which is #122 out of 128 teams in the FBS and that's scary.
5. Turnovers: It may not be the most compelling topic to discuss but the team that can execute with fewer mistakes gets the edge in Bedlam. On a wet day, which is predicted, strange things can happen and it increases the suspense for every snap of the game. Not a day to get the Eagles classic hit "Peaceful Easy Feeling" stuck in one's head.
6. Kicking game: Field position as a result of a productive kicking game is significant in a contest such as Bedlam. OU's Austin Seibert could be the unlikely star of this game with his punting and place kicking. Leaving the red zone with no points is a killer and the strong legged Seibert will play a huge role.
7. Be loud or stay home: If there was a perfect time to create a chaotic, loud and passionate environment from the Sooner Nation it is Saturday and especially when the Cowboys have the football. Hopefully ,every one will rise and shine full of ample P&V and arrive at the stadium ready to make a vociferous difference. Every Sooner player will testify just how important the noise level is to them. As Stone Cold Steve Ausitn has said, "Arrive, Raise Hell, Leave."
Fox Sports arguably has the best college football game if one enjoys video game-like football with lots of scoring. Is it possible that OU must score half a hundred in order to beat its instate rivals? Could the cruelest fate of all be headed OU's wayas Mike Gundy and his mullet look to woodshed the Sooners in Norman as OU did to OSU last year in Stillwater and prevent Stoops Troops from winning the Big 12 title at home? I see through my crimson-colored glasses the Sooners avoiding the heartbreak and winning a stem winder in a game much closer than the folks in Vegas predict. Remember, the road team has won the last three Bedlam games and the last two in Norman have gone to overtime.
Prediction: OU 49 OSU 42 (Sooners favored by 11 and the O/U is 77)
Boomer Sooner!
Jim Ross @JRsBBQ
Jim "J.R." Ross is a native Oklahoman who lives in Norman with wife Jan. JR is a member of three, pro wrestling Halls of Fame, is a two time New York Times Best Selling Author, host of the acclaimed, Ross Report Podcast on iTunes and Podcastone.com, and co-creator of JR's condiments featuring Oklahoma made BBQ Sauces, Chipotle Ketchup, Jalapeno Honey Mustard, and All Purpose Seasoning all available online at www.wweshop.com.
Visit JR's website www.jrsbarbq.com
