The stakes are totally different in 2022, however this 12 months’s Bedlam has all the makings of a back-and-forth affair.
Both Oklahoma (5-5 general, 2-5 Big 12) and Oklahoma State (7-3, 4-3) have underachieved preseason expectations.
The Cowboys have needed to fend off the damage bug since an early Week 4 bye week, and star quarterback Spencer Sanders seems to be carrying an damage down the dwelling stretch of the season.
On the different sideline, the Sooners have struggled to shut out shut video games in Brent Venables’ first 12 months in cost.
In convention play Oklahoma has suffered defeats to Kansas State, Baylor and West Virginia by a mixed 13 factors. Even worse, premature penalties and misfired from the offense at essential moments have value OU, as the group feels they’ve left loads on the subject this season.
But a 12 months’s price of struggles can fall to the wayside in a rivalry recreation.
Oklahoma State got here from behind in the fourth quarter final 12 months to down the Sooners 37-33 in what was billed as probably the final Bedlam soccer contest ever at Boone Pickens Stadium, and now Mike Gundy and his group will descend on Norman seeking to make it two straight over OU.
289.8
The departure of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and NFL expertise at the second degree has taken it’s toll on OSU’s protection.
Under the steering of Derek Mason, the Cowboys rank lifeless final in the Big 12 in whole protection.
Oklahoma State is giving up 452.9 yards per recreation, which ranks No. 121-nationally, largely because of an terrible passing protection.
OSU is permitting opposing groups to throw for 289.8 yards per recreation, which is No. 128 out of 131 in the FBS.
Last week, the Sooners had the same benefit. West Virginia’s passing protection additionally ranked amongst the worst in the nation.
A mix of chilly and wet climate circumstances paired with drops, overthrows and key penalties meant that OU couldn’t exploit the Mountaineers’ weak point.
It shall be chilly once more in Norman on Saturday evening, however in any other case the circumstances shouldn’t hamper the Oklahoma passing assault, placing the strain on quarterback Dillon Gabriel to have an improved efficiency for the Sooners.
28.8
Despite OSU’s struggles at massive defensively, the Cowboys had nonetheless performed glorious situational soccer.
Oklahoma State is barely permitting groups to transform on 28.8 p.c of third downs this season, which is the ninth-best mark in the nation.
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In two of their three one-possession losses this 12 months, the Sooners have struggled on third down.
Kansas State held OU’s offense to 4-of-13 on the essential down and West Virginia stifled Oklahoma on third downs, holding the Jeff Lebby’s offense to 1-of-11 for the recreation.
The Sooners had been in a position to execute towards Baylor, changing 10-of-15 makes an attempt on third down, and so they’ll look to recapture these ranges of effectivity towards the Cowboys.
3.70
In shut video games, each little element issues.
Last week, the Sooners drew flags at the worst instances, serving to West Virginia keep on the subject and restrict the OU offense.
An offensive move interference took a Brayden Willis landing off the board and Oklahoma needed to accept a subject objective.
R Mason Thomas sacked WVU quarterback Garret Greene to pin the Mountaineers effectively behind the chains, however a face masks penalty wiped away the good play for OU.
Facing a fourth-and-1, the Sooners had a false begin, and Gabriel’s move on the making certain fourth-and-6 was batted down at the line of scrimmage.
C.J. Coldon picked off Garret Greene on fourth-and-15, however Gracen Halton jumped offside and wiped away the turnover. Greene then transformed on fourth-and-10 to assist bury Oklahoma late in the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma State hasn’t had these points all 12 months lengthy, regardless of dropping loads of starters to damage.
Entering the weekend, OSU ranks second in the nation in fewest penalties per recreation, averaging 3.7 infractions every week. Only Navy has been higher this 12 months at limiting penalties, and the Cowboys’ self-discipline may show to be the distinction if OU struggles prefer it did final week.
Kickoff between the Sooners and the Cowboys is scheduled for six:30 p.m. on Saturday from Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, and the recreation shall be broadcast on ABC.
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