STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) There’s nothing typical about this Bedlam matchup.
Rivals Oklahoma and Oklahoma State could win the Big 12, and perhaps more, on Saturday. Fifth-ranked Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) has moved up to No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings, and a win against the Cowboys would almost surely clinch a berth.
”I think that, in a way, overshadows the rivalry a little bit right now,” first-year Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley said. ”Not to discredit it. I don’t want to be the guy that’s new to it that says it’s not. Of course, it’s a great rivalry, a lot of history, but the importance of this game for us, what’s riding on it, is probably our focus.”
Ninth-ranked Oklahoma State (10-1, 7-1, No. 11 CFP) has an outside chance of getting into the playoff. The Cowboys will try to bounce back from a 45-35 loss to Baylor last Saturday.
”We’ll try to stay focused on the task at hand,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. ”The good news is that everyone in the state will be excited about the game this week, and I can’t imagine that our players won’t stay focused, prepare and play well on Saturday.”
It will be just the third time that both teams have entered the game ranked in the AP Top 10. No. 2 Oklahoma beat No. 3 Oklahoma State 24-14 in Norman in 1984, and No. 3 Oklahoma State beat No. 10 Oklahoma 44-10 in Stillwater in 2011.
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield is questionable after suffering a concussion last week against TCU. The Heisman hopeful passed concussion protocol on Sunday and said he felt fine on Monday. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Mayfield will play if there are no setbacks.
Here are a few things to watch when Bedlam breaks loose:
DUAL QBs: Oklahoma has to prepare for two quarterbacks – pocket passer Mason Rudolph and dual threat J.W. Walsh. Rudolph has 21 touchdown passes and just eight interceptions and has thrown for more than 400 yards three times this season. Walsh, who plays mostly in the red zone and in short-yardage situations, has 11 rushing and 11 passing touchdowns. Oklahoma State ranks fourth nationally in red-zone efficiency.
FINDING BALANCE: Oklahoma State ran for just eight yards in the loss to Baylor. It’s the lowest total for the Cowboys since STATS began keeping track in 1996. The Cowboys want to avoid long-yardage situations because the Sooners lead the conference in sacks. Linebacker Eric Striker and defensive tackle Charles Tapper are particularly disruptive for Oklahoma.
SLOWING PERINE: Oklahoma State won 38-35 in overtime last year, but Oklahoma was in control before bruising running back Samaje Perine was knocked out of the game in the third quarter with a severely sprained left ankle. Before that, he ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns, and the Sooners led 28-14. More could be in store – Oklahoma State is seventh out of ten Big 12 teams in rushing defense.
JAMES WASHINGTON: Oklahoma State’s speedster has eight touchdown catches the past five weeks, many of them long passes over the top of the defense. Washington averages 20.2 yards on 45 receptions. Oklahoma’s secondary, led by Zack Sanchez, leads the Big 12 with 16 interceptions. If Striker and Tapper are able to get to Oklahoma State’s quarterbacks, Washington will have fewer opportunities.
BAD WEATHER: The forecast calls for freezing drizzle and temperatures in the upper 20s. That could slow the passing attacks and force an emphasis on the ground games, which would appear to favor Oklahoma.
”It’s going to be fun either way,” Walsh said. ”Whether it’s 100 degrees or zero degrees, it’s going to be a fun last game of the season.”
—
Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter (at)CliffBruntAP.
25% Bonus via Western Union
