Oklahoma State Cowboys: By the Numbers

The stakes are different in 2022, but this year’s Bedlam has all the makings of a back-and-forth affair.

Both Oklahoma (5-5 overall, 2-5 Big 12) and Oklahoma State (7-3, 4-3) have underachieved preseason expectations.

The Cowboys have had to fend off the injury bug since an early Week 4 bye week, and star quarterback Spencer Sanders appears to be carrying an injury down the home stretch of the season.

On the other sideline, the Sooners have struggled to close out close games in Brent Venables’ first year in charge.

In conference play Oklahoma has suffered defeats to Kansas State, Baylor and West Virginia by a combined 13 points. Even worse, untimely penalties and misfires from the offense at crucial moments have cost OU, as the team feels they’ve left a lot on the field this season.

But a year’s worth of struggles can fall to the wayside in a rivalry game.

Oklahoma State came from behind in the fourth quarter last year to down the Sooners 37-33 in what was billed as potentially the last Bedlam football contest ever at Boone Pickens Stadium, and now Mike Gundy and his team will descend on Norman looking to make it two straight over OU.

289.8

The departure of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and NFL talent at the second level has taken its toll on OSU’s defense.

Under the guidance of Derek Mason, the Cowboys rank dead last in the Big 12 in total defense.

Oklahoma State is giving up 452.9 yards per game, which ranks No. 121 nationally, in large part due to an awful pass defense.

OSU is allowing opposing teams to throw for 289.8 yards per game, which is No. 128 out of 131 in the FBS.

Last week, the Sooners had a similar advantage. West Virginia’s passing defense also ranked among the worst in the country.

A combination of cold and rainy weather conditions paired with drops, overthrows and key penalties meant that OU couldn’t exploit the Mountaineers’ weakness.

It will be cold again in Norman on Saturday night, but otherwise the conditions shouldn’t hamper the Oklahoma passing attack, putting the pressure on quarterback Dillon Gabriel to have an improved performance for the Sooners.

28.8

Despite OSU’s struggles at-large defensively, the Cowboys had still played excellent situational football.

Oklahoma State is only allowing teams to convert on 28.8 percent of third downs this season, which is the ninth-best mark in the country.

In two of their three one-possession losses this year, the Sooners have struggled on third down.

Kansas State held OU’s offense to 4-of-13 on the crucial down and West Virginia stifled Oklahoma on third downs, holding the Jeff Lebby’s offense to 1-of-11 for the game.

The Sooners were able to execute against Baylor, converting 10-of-15 attempts on third down, and they’ll look to recapture those levels of efficiency against the Cowboys.

3.70

In close games, every little detail matters.

Last week, the Sooners drew flags at the worst times, helping West Virginia stay on the field and limit the OU offense.

An offensive pass interference took a Brayden Willis touchdown off the board and Oklahoma had to settle for a field goal.

R Mason Thomas sacked WVU quarterback Garret Greene to pin the Mountaineers well behind the chains, but a face mask penalty wiped away the good play for OU.

Facing a fourth-and-1, the Sooners had a false start, and Gabriel’s pass on the ensuring fourth-and-6 was batted down at the line of scrimmage.

C.J. Coldon picked off Garrett Greene on fourth-and-15, but Gracen Halton lined up offside and wiped away the turnover. Greene then converted on fourth-and-10 to help bury Oklahoma late in the fourth quarter.

Oklahoma State hasn’t had those issues all year long, despite losing plenty of starters to injury.

Entering the weekend, OSU ranks second in the country in fewest penalties per game, averaging 3.7 infractions a week. Only Navy has been better this year at limiting penalties, and the Cowboys’ discipline could prove to be the difference if OU struggles like it did last week.

Kickoff between the Sooners and the Cowboys is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday from Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, and the game will be broadcast on ABC.

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