I've seen some of college football's best rivalries in person (Notre Dame-Miami back in the heyday can't be topped; Irish's Rocket Ismail returning two kicks vs. Michigan is close for most memorable game) but unfortunately not Bedlam and now it appears I have lost my chance with the Laters heading to the SEC. I don't pretend to know politics and am completely independent but why can't the governor of Oklahoma (today years old when learned its Kevin Stitt) mandate they keep playing or they don't get state funds? The Pokes have been devastating opponents of late and if OU running backs Marcus Major and Tawee Walker both sit as is possible, I think the Fighting Gundys win outright. They may well anyways.

Beware: I've gotten Oklahoma State wrong all year. That said, the Cowboys are playing their best ball of the season behind quarterback Alan Bowman. They and their raucous home crowd will be ubermotivated to end the Bedlam series on top with a win. Meanwhile the Sooners have been walking wounded since their win over Texas, and stud linebacker Danny Stutsman is dealing with an ankle injury, assuming he plays. I'll take Oklahoma State.

It appeared the Cowboys were essentially disregarded by oddsmakers following losses to South Alabama and Iowa State. But following their bye, they ripped off three consecutive wins as underdogs and routed Cincinnati last week. Coach Mike Gundy has a history of making the best of what he's got, and he also has a history of coming up short against the rival Sooners (3-15 career record). Oklahoma was dealt its first loss of the season last week against upstart Kansas following a close call against UFC. With a share of first place in the Big 12 and playoff hopes at stake, the Sooners should come focused and prepared for this one.

Strengths on weaknesses abound in this matchup, and it's going to lead to points. Oklahoma's run defense has been exploited the last two weeks by UCF and Kansas, and now it has to face the hottest running back in country in Ollie Gordon, who has topped 250 rushing yards in each of the last two games! On the other side you've got an Oklahoma State pass defense that gives up big plays trying to shut down the Sooners' up-tempo attack. Throw in the fact that both of these defenses struggle with missed tackles and the rivalry factor and it's shaping up to be a game with plenty of fireworks.