Bedlam lacking this season, but Sooners-Cowboys rivalry still thrives
When it comes to Bedlam excitement, Saturday's game is lacking.
You've got a below-average Oklahoma State team taking on an underachieving Oklahoma team.
But here we are. There may not be the national intrigue like there has been the past two seasons. There isn't a major bowl game invite extended to the winner, either. There's just football.
Excited? Well, here are 35 guesses to keep you interested for Saturday's game and none of them have to do with the fact the game isn't at 11 a.m.
Ready?
So, Samaje Perine set an NCAA single-game rushing record the last time out against Kansas. 1. That should be enough to get him the start Saturday against Oklahoma State. Seriously, the Oklahoma freshman running back didn't play in two of the first three series against Kansas. Keith Ford got the start instead. 2. Perine will get the first carry of the game for the Sooners. 3. And the second. 4. And he'll score on the first series for the Sooners.
5. Unlike last week when OU came out a bit sluggish against Kansas, the Sooners will come out motivated. 6. They also won't fool around trying to pass the ball, despite the fact Oklahoma State's best asset is its run defense. OU ran the ball 27 times in the first half last game against Kansas. 7. OU will have at least that many in the first half against the Cowboys even though 8. Sterling Shepard will start. 9. And catch a first-quarter pass for at least 15 yards.
10. There will be no snowballs thrown for the stands. 11. There will be no cheerleader sticking out a leg to try and trip Eric Striker. 12. There won't be near the drama as in year's past, either.
Think about it. The last two seasons have been all-timers. You had a last-minute drive by the Sooners a season ago and the year before that, in Norman, you had overtime.
13. None of that Saturday. 14. No overtime. 15. No last-second drives. 16. You won't see Blake Bell as a third-string quarterback, either. But you knew all that. Those are easy.
Here's what you will see:
17. Blake Bell get a catch at TE.
18. And a carry at QB
19. And the biggest cheer of all the seniors.
20. Mason Rudolph start for OSU.
21. And throw for 250-plus yards.
22. Cody Thomas complete better than 50 percent of his passes for OU.
23. And have less than 20 attempts.
24. Samaje Perine run for 100 yards in the first half
25. And 175 or more for the game.
26. OU's traditional uniforms
27. OSU coach Mike Gundy sporting his traditional look of wearing a tucked-in sweatshirt.
It's been a tough season for OSU, starting with a season-opening loss to Florida State. They've dealt with a lot from lawsuits to wonky press conferences, as well as injuries and a rotation of quarterbacks.
It's been a disappointing season for the Sooners. A high preseason ranking didn't play out. Close losses to TCU and to Kansas State and then the blowout against Baylor.
28. But the crowd won't be a disappointment. After a string of morning kickoffs as well as rain, 29. OU folks will be out in full force. 30. It will be loud enough that, for a moment, a brief moment, you forget the Sooners have already lost three times this season.
There won't be a lot of solace for either team in this game. 31. Oklahoma State will not going to a bowl game and 32. the Oklahoma press box will be filled with mid-tier bowl representatives wearing random-colored blazers. 33. And they'll see more than 60 points. 34. 42 or more of which will come from OU.
35. Sooners win 42-20.
Last week: 17-17-1
Overall: 184-180-17
Follow Andrew Gilman on Twitter: @andrewgilmanOK
