The Oklahoma State Cowboys probably felt that their national title hopes had ended when they lost to Iowa State on Nov. 18. Now, they might still have a chance at the whole enchilada.
Oklahoma Sooners @ Oklahoma State Cowboys – Saturday, December 3
Sports betting line: Oklahoma State -3.5
Why Oklahoma Will Win
The college football betting experts who have not only followed the Big 12 Conference, but who have also studied this rivalry – known as the Bedlam Series (or just “Bedlam”) – know that Oklahoma wears the pants in this in-state showdown. Oklahoma State has sprung the occasional upset, but whenever the stakes are particularly high, OU usually comes through. The Sooners have won seven Big 12 championships since head coach Bob Stoops took over in Norman in 1999. Oklahoma also won the Big 12 South Division title in 2003. Only Texas (1999, 2001, 2005, 2009) managed to interrupt Oklahoma’s dominance in the Big 12 South, which is now history due to the Big 12’s loss of Nebraska and Colorado this season.
The point remains that Oklahoma has always outfoxed Oklahoma State whenever the two teams have met with a division title on the line. Now that the Big 12 features a non-divisional conference race, the Sooners and Cowboys are meeting for the league title and an automatic berth in a BCS bowl. Under these circumstances, the Sooners are clearly the team to be trusted. They know how to win in these situations. Before one dismisses OU’s odds in this game, one needs to realize that the Sooners played poorly after the midpoint of the 2010 season, losing to Missouri and Texas A&M to fall out of favor with national voters. Yet, when all the chips were on the table in the Big 12, OU still bested Oklahoma State in Stillwater, 47-41. The Cowboys, not the Sooners, are the team saddled with the burden of proof in this contest. Oklahoma State must show that it can escape from OU’s shadow.
Why Oklahoma State Will Win
When you do your homework and assess your best sportsbook on this game, you need to account for the depleted nature of Oklahoma’s back seven on defense. Oklahoma got eviscerated this season by Texas Tech and Baylor. Yes, the Sooners lost games last year in the Big 12 as well, but those were games in which OU was still trying to find itself. The Sooners were younger and less experienced after an injury-riddled 2009 season in which few players on the team found a steady rhythm. This year, OU has still suffered injuries to key linebackers and safeties, but the Sooners were expected to be deeper and more experienced. To put the matter more precisely, Oklahoma is displaying genuine weakness, not a dip in form. Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden should be able to carve up the OU secondary, especially since he has star receiver Justin Blackmon to make plays in traffic (or on jump balls). Oklahoma State scored 41 against Oklahoma last year. It should be able to score 56 points if it plays its best game.
Who Will Win
It’s tempting to finally pick Oklahoma State in this rivalry, but the Sooners have a mental advantage which can’t be discounted. Bob Stoops usually rallies his players for this game, so let’s see if Oklahoma State can chase away its demons. Skepticism is the proper approach – take Oklahoma.
College Football Betting Pick: Oklahoma