Kickoff: 6:30 PM CT
Location: Memorial Stadium (Norman, Oklahoma)
Television: ABC
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Twitter: Follow @HeartlandPokes for live-tweets during the game
Spencer Sanders made his return to action in the second half of last week’s matchup with the Iowa State Cyclones as he led the Oklahoma State Cowboys to a 20-14 victory. The Cowboys will play their last road game of the regular season on Saturday as they travel just a couple of hours south to Norman to take on the Oklahoma Sooners.
Oklahoma State has had their ups and downs this season, but the Sooners are having their worst season in a couple of decades. At 5-5, Oklahoma is not even bowl eligible yet, but you can guarantee they are going to do everything in their power to try to make that happen today.
While the mediocre seasons for both teams could damper the spirit of the rivalry, I have a feeling it’s going to be a classic battle to the end.
How the Cowboys Can Win
I can’t help but feel this game hinges largely upon the status of quarterback Spencer Sanders. After defeating Iowa State last week, Sanders said there was no way he wouldn’t play in Bedlam, but players don’t always control whether or not they see the field. If Sanders is healthy enough to go, he’s the type of impact player that can definitely make a difference and sway the outcome. I think Oklahoma State is going to need him in order to pull out a win in Norman.
How the Sooners Can Win
Oklahoma is favored by a touchdown in Saturday’s Bedlam matchup, and a lot of people are scratching their heads and wondering why. Despite the poor season by Sooner standards, Oklahoma still has a solid enough team to where they can hang with a lot of teams. With the way the Cowboys have been playing, largely due to injuries, the best thing the Sooners can do is simply get out of their own way and limit the mistakes. Oklahoma doesn’t have to do anything fancy. If they take care of business and limit their own mistakes, then they should be able to win this game.
Staff Predictions
Staff Score Predictions
| Craig | 38-35 Oklahoma State |
| Matt | 34-31 Oklahoma |
| Zack | 34-31 Oklahoma State |
An Oklahoma State Win Would…
- Make OSU 8-3 or better for the fourth straight season and for the 12th time in the Mike Gundy era.
- Give OSU wins in 10 of its past 13 regular season conference games.
- Give OSU back-to-back wins over Oklahoma.
- Make OSU 7-4 in its past 11 road games.
- Make OSU 22-5 in its past 27 games overall, dating back to the 2020 season.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Game
- Spencer Sanders has thrown for 20 touchdowns against just five interceptions in his past 369 pass attempts for an interception rate of 1.4%.
- OSU has won a school-record 13 consecutive home games.
- OSU has held 28 of its past 31 Big 12 opponents under their season scoring average.
- OSU has won 81 consecutive games when holding its opponent to fewer than 20 points, dating back to Sept. 13, 2003 – the longest active stretch of time in the FBS and longest since at least 1980.
- OSU has held its opponent scoreless on its game opening drive in 29 of its past 41 games.
- OSU has held its opponent to less than a 50% third down conversion rate in 34 of its past 35 games.
- OSU is 34-13 in its past 47 games decided by fewer than 10 points.
- OSU is 44-7 in its past 51 games when leading at halftime, dating back to Sept. 17, 2016.
- Dating back to 2005, OSU is 45-4 when not committing a turnover.
- Dating back to 2008, OSU is 74-8 when winning the turnover battle.
- OSU has forced 43 turnovers in its past 28 games.
- Over the past 35 games, OSU has held opponents to 149-for-530 (28.1%) on third down.