Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-3 SU, 5-4 ATS) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (8-2 SU, 5-5 ATS)
College Football Week 13
Date and Time: Saturday, November 24 2012 3:30PM
Where:Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, Oklahoma
TV: ESPN
By, Bob, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: OSU +7/OKL -7
Over/Under Total: OFF
What a great day for college football. All the in-state rivalry games, the passion, the bragging, it’s just great!!! With all the big games like Auburn/Alabama, Florida/Florida State, Oregon/Oregon State, this next game gets overlooked many times: The Oklahoma St. Cowboys vs. Oklahoma Sooners. The main reason for the lack of interest in this game is probably due to the lack of wins by the Cowboys. They were able to take down the Sooners last season by a score of 44-10 but that was Okie State’s first win in this series since 2002. “Bedlam,” as this series has been named, has been quite one sided for some time now. Oklahoma leads the all-time series 82-17-7. Where this series hasn’t been close, there are some really cool stories that are related to it. If you have the time, look up Steve Budin’s book Bets, Drugs, and Rock & Roll and read about the 1954 Bedlam game. Very interesting stuff about bookies and a fixed game. Some deny the allegations but the father of Budin was a New York bookie that claims he had inside info on the “fix.” Enough about that, now ”It’s time for the game. Here we are, Bedlam 2012, who ya like?
Oklahoma comes into this game ranked number 13 in the country and coming off a huge 50-49 win over West Virginia. The Sooners are 9th in the nation in scoring and 8th in passing but they only sit ranked 53rd in rushing and 29th in scoring defense. In this series however, I believe it’s very mental. Yes, the Sooners took it on this chin last season but if history prevails, the Sooners will have their way again with the Cowboys. Oklahoma has taken down Okie State 10 of the last 13 times they played. Some want to write Oklahoma off but their only 2 losses have come at the hands of Kansas State who was ranked number one in the nation for all of 30 seconds last week but was 13th at the time. The Sooners other loss came to Notre Dame, who currently sits in the top spot of the BCS rankings. The Sooners will have to slow down the Cowboys passing game and I also feel that Oklahoma will need to establish some sort of run in this game in order to control the outcome.
Oklahoma State comes into this game as a touchdown underdog. The Cowboys have only won in Norman twice since the 1997 season, it hasn’t been a kind place for them to travel. However, the last couple of seasons, Oklahoma State has not only become more of a Big 12 power, they got themselves on the national stage. Many, including myself, feel that last season you could have made a case for them to play LSU in the BCS Title game.not Alabama. This season hasn’t been as much of a success as last year’s campaign but remember, Okie State is playing with a new QB. The only 3 losses for Okie State have come from Kansas State, Texas, and Arizona. Some cringe when they see the Arizona loss, but ask USC how easy it is to play in Arizona Stadium. Oklahoma State is going to have to come into this contest with the same mindset as West Virginia did last week. AIR IT OUT. If the Cowboys defense can hold their own against the Sooners, much like they did last season, then they have a shot to win this game.
Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: The line sits at a whole touchdown in favor of the Sooners right now. I see this game being a shootout, a high scoring shootout. I see lots of quick strikes and if either defense can show up, the opponent could be in for a long day. Oklahoma State is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall and they are also 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Big 12 games. Oklahoma appears to be the trendy pick by the public but do not be fooled. The later we get into the season, the less likely Oklahoma is to cover a spread. They are 1-5 in their last 6 games played in November and are coming off an ATS loss just this past week versus West Virginia. I am going to take my chances here and say, bet the Cowboys. I actually trust their defense a little more than I do Oklahoma’s in this game. West Virginia set the blueprint last week pass pass pass. Watch the Cowboys aerial assault keep this thing tight. PICK: OKLAHOMA STATE +7
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