What's on the line for Oklahoma State football in Bedlam? Bragging rights and so much more
STILLWATER — After Saturday, there won’t be a Bedlam football game on the schedule.
No. 22 Oklahoma State hosts ninth-ranked Oklahoma at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium in the final Bedlam until further notice.
The Cowboys are rolling on a four-game win streak, while the Sooners are trying to bounce back from their first loss of the year.
Here’s a look at some key areas that could decide the final Bedlam duel in this week’s edition of Four Downs:
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Cowboy in the Crosshairs
Safety Trey Rucker: While the redshirt senior safety has been an effective tackler and an important piece of OSU’s run defense, he has been the most targeted player in the OSU secondary by opposing quarterbacks.
Targeted 32 times, Rucker has allowed 19 catches for 332 yards and four touchdowns. The Sooners have some dangerous playmakers at the slot receiver position who could align with Rucker, so his coverage skills are sure to be tested, particularly down the field.
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Number to Know
47.7%: That’s the third-down conversion percentage of OU’s offense, which ranks 17th nationally. The OSU defense is 96th in stopping third-down conversions, allowing them at a rate of 42.0%. The Cowboys’ need to get off the field will be high.
And third downs the other way will be critical, too. The OSU offense is 76th nationally with a conversion percentage of 39.2%, while the OU defense is one of the best in the country at stopping third downs, ranked fifth at 28.6%.
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Bold Bowl Projection
With a win: Cotton Bowl. A win keeps the Big 12 title game on the table, as well as a New Year’s Six bowl. And OSU has arguably the easiest schedule remaining of all the teams in the current five-way tie for the Big 12 standings lead. A win on Saturday puts the Pokes in prime position.
With a loss: Alamo Bowl. That easy remaining schedule still has OSU with a chance to stay high in the Big 12 standings and be a prime candidate for a good selection when the Alamo Bowl gets a turn. OSU traveled well to past Alamo Bowls, the last coming in 2016.
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Uni-Guess
Black-black-orange: OSU occasionally likes to tip its cap to recent big victories, and this feels like it could be a day for that. OSU wore black-black-orange for the 2021 win, and hasn’t worn that combo yet this year. Also, the script Cowboy logo has been limited in usage lately, so that could return as well.
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football sets sights on Big 12 title, bowls in Bedlam
