No. 11 Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State: Sooners Wire Staff Predictions for Bedlam
As disappointing as last week’s loss to Kansas was, the Oklahoma Sooners still have everything to play for this season. But all the Sooners need to worry about is going 1-0 this week and winning each day.
Standing in the way of Oklahoma’s hopes to get back to the Big 12 title game are the Oklahoma State Cowboys. It’s been a one-sided affair, but this season, the Cowboys have a squad capable of hanging with Oklahoma and winning what will be the last Bedlam for some time.
How will the Showdown in Stillwater play out? Here are this week’s Sooners Wire staff picks.
Dillon Gabriel Steals the Show
It’s been a career year for Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel. That’s why it was so frustrating to watch as the Sooners showed a reluctance to put the ball in Gabriel’s hands in the loss to Kansas.
He’s been really good this season. Against an Oklahoma State defense that is 93rd in the nation in passing yards allowed, this is another opportunity for Gabriel and the passing offense.
Though there’s no indication yet on Tawee Walker’s availability, look for the Sooners to air it out to set up the run.
Defensively, it all comes down to how well they play against Ollie Gordon. Not only is he the best running back in college football, he’s a threat in the screen game as well.
Oklahoma hasn’t played well defensively the last couple of weeks, and even against Texas, they allowed a ton of yards. If they can play better as a unit and limit big plays on the ground, the Sooners will win this game.
Oklahoma 33, Oklahoma State 24
Nightmare in Stillwater
The Oklahoma Sooners are due for a great performance after back-to-back lackluster weeks. The Sooners are a matchup nightmare for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
The Cowboys can’t stop the run or pass very well. Offensively, they are pretty one-dimensional, although Bowman is a decent quarterback.
The issue is that one dimension is elite. Ollie Gordon leads the nation in rushing yards. I think the Sooners hold him under 150 rushing yards, with the defensive line having a bounce-back performance.
The offense does just enough to get it done.
Oklahoma 31 Oklahoma State 30
Time to put it on the Cowboys
Saturday is a massive day for the state of Oklahoma. The two flagship schools in the state duke it out one last time for bragging rights and first place in the Big 12. Oklahoma has dominated this rivalry overall, but an Oklahoma State win would be something they would hold onto for generations.
Here’s the thing, though: Oklahoma hasn’t played very well. They’re due for a breakout, slump-buster game where they put it on someone. I think it will come this week.
Brent Venables is a master motivator, and the fact that Oklahoma is wounded is a perfect motivational tool. The Sooners have the whole CFB world ready to give up on them.
Because of that and the talent gap, Oklahoma will win this game by double digits.
Ollie Gordon is a terrific player, but it will take more than one Uber-talented running back to break the Sooners. The Cowboys don’t use a lot of smoke and mirrors like the Jayhawks did, which should make it easier for the Sooners to diagnose what Oklahoma State wants to do. That will help OU contain Gordon and hold him 150 yards rushing while the Sooners force Alan Bowman to become Hercules and throw over 40 times.
Dillon Gabriel throws for over 250 yards himself and tosses four touchdowns. One of the Oklahoma-born guys, Drake Stoops or Gavin Freeman, scores. Trace Ford has a big splash play and Gentry Williams and the Oklahoma secondary comes away with two interceptions.
Oklahoma 38, Oklahoma State 27
College Sports Wire's Picks against the Spread
Three of the four pickers for College Sports Wire took the Oklahoma Sooners minus the points in their picks against the spread. Regional Editor Patrick Conn was the only analyst to pick the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
For more college football analysis, check out College Sports Wire.
From Longhorns Wire
A depleted Oklahoma roster travels to Stillwater for what could be the final game in the rivalry. I’m not sure the Sooners have the depth to replace those players. Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon has rushed for more than 270 yards in consecutive weeks. He goes off in the final Bedlam game for the foreseeable future. – Joey Hickey, Longhorns Wire
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