NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Bedlam gained’t be fairly the high-stakes showdown many anticipated initially of the season, however lots nonetheless will probably be on the road when No. 24 Oklahoma State visits Oklahoma on Saturday evening.
Both started the season with College Football Playoff aspirations and prime 12 rankings. Both slipped after their quarterbacks have been knocked out of motion. But Oklahoma State (7-3, 4-3 Big 12) nonetheless may attain the convention title sport with a win, and Oklahoma can develop into bowl eligible with a victory.
And then, there’s the historical past. This matchup will probably be one of many final ones between the rivals earlier than Oklahoma (5-5, 2-5) leaves the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference by 2025.
“It’s been talked about a little bit, so our guys are certainly aware that we only may play a couple of more times,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables stated. “But I do think that (the players will have) the juice and the edge and understanding what’s at stake here in this state.”
The incontrovertible fact that the sequence is winding down has solely added gasoline.
“We don’t like those guys and they don’t like us,” Oklahoma State defensive finish Kody Walterscheid stated. “There’s still 100% a rivalry.”
Oklahoma has a 23-season bowl streak, second longest within the nation. An Oklahoma State win would put the Sooners in a must-win state of affairs the next week at Texas Tech.
“I think it’d feel real good knowing OU has to win their last game of the season to be bowl-eligible,” Oklahoma State defensive finish Brock Martin stated.
Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders has been preventing by a shoulder damage. He stepped in and rallied the Cowboys previous Iowa State final week, and he stated he expects to begin on Saturday. He leads the Big 12 in complete offense and has 16 passing touchdowns and eight dashing scores.
“He’s got a lot of moxie,” Venables stated. “You can tell he’s played a lot of football. The team rallies behind him, plays off his leadership and his energy. Sometimes, the worst thing you can do is cover everybody because he can really run. He’s a true dual-threat guy.”
Despite coming off three-point losses to Baylor and West Virginia, Oklahoma is favored according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Venables stated not one of the numbers matter.
“It’s going to be a great challenge,” Venables stated. “This game — you never know how it’s going to go. Throw the records out, as we all know.”
PROTECTING DILLON
Oklahoma might want to defend quarterback Dillon Gabriel from Oklahoma State’s defensive position, which ranks among the many finest within the Big 12. Collin Oliver leads the way in which with 5 sacks.
“These guys do an unbelievable job of getting off of blocks, not staying blocked and getting to the football,” Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby stated. “And so when you see that on tape, you understand exactly what the game is going to be like on Saturday. These guys are going to play tough. They’re going to play hard. They don’t stay blocked. So we’ve got to match and surpass that effort.”
MIMS’ OPPORTUNITY
Oklahoma receiver Marvin Mims may discover success towards a porous Oklahoma State secondary.
Gabriel’s prime goal is second within the Big 12 with 77.6 yards receiving per sport. He’s had not less than 98 yards receiving in three of his previous 4 video games. Oklahoma State permits 289.8 yards passing per sport — probably the most within the Big 12.
STOPPING GRAY
Oklahoma’s Eric Gray ranks third within the Big 12 with 1,113 yards dashing this season, and his 6.7 yards per carry lead the convention and rank sixth nationally.
Oklahoma State will probably be centered on him.
“I think if we can stop the run and make them have to throw the ball, they’ll end up making some mistakes and we’ll hopefully be able to capitalize and take advantage of some opportunities there,” Martin stated.
GUIDING GUNNAR
Gunnar Gundy, son of Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy, began towards Iowa State. The redshirt freshman struggled at occasions earlier than Sanders changed him.
Coach Gundy, a former quarterback, stated Gunnar will probably be advantageous.
“He made some plays, but there’s a couple of times he could’ve progressed a little bit further in his reads. … I’ve been there and when you’re young and there is pressure on you, your reads go faster and you don’t see things like you should.”
QUOTABLE
Mike Gundy, on Sanders saying he expects to begin: “That’s awesome that he feels better. I hope that that’s his decision and that’s the way he feels. … That’s good news though if he feels like that so we can get him in there and let him play.”
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Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: twitter.com/CliffBruntAP
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