Big 12 Football Game of the Week: #9 Oklahoma at #22 Oklahoma State
A rivalry that already invites headlines and intrigue invites even more of it this year because, with Oklahoma's move to the SEC, this could be the last Bedlam game we see for a while.
Ollie Gordon II celebrates Oklahoma State's win over West Virginia in Stillwater on Saturday, October 21.
I did not choose this game for the game of the week just because it's one of the Big 12's best rivalries, but also because Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are two very good football teams.
Oklahoma State's turnaround has been the story of the conference over the last few weeks. After losing to South Alabama and Iowa State in back-to-back weeks, the Cowboys have rattled off four straight wins, two of which came against teams who are currently ranked. Led by star running back Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State is getting hot at the right time.
Gordon II has already eclipsed 1000 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns on the season. The sophomore is second in the nation in rushing yards and in each of his last two games, he has rushed for over 270 yards. Yes, you read that right. In his team's 48-34 win over West Virginia, he had 282 yards and four touchdowns. In his team's 45-13 win over Cincinnati, he rushed for 271 yards and two touchdowns. And oh, he can also catch the ball. In Oklahoma State's 39-32 win over Kansas, Gordon II had 168 yards and a touchdown on the ground while also receiving for 116 yards and another touchdown.
He is unstoppable.
The Sooners are coming off a 38-33 loss to Kansas, a team that the Cowboys beat three weeks ago. In that game, the Jayhawks rushed for 225 yards as a team. Since its huge win over Texas, Oklahoma has struggled. The Sooners beat a below-average (possibly bad) UCF team by two points at home and then lost to a Jalon Daniels-less Kansas team.
This game being played in Stillwater adds another element. I'm sure the Oklahoma State fans will be very polite and docile to the Oklahoma team that is leaving the Big 12 and Bedlam behind. Nobody can stop Gordon II, but the Sooners will need to somehow slow him down and overcome the atmosphere if they want the last laugh against the Cowboys.
