We talk about Spencer Sanders, Jim Knowles’ defense and more!

With the high-stakes Bedlam matchup between the Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys just hours away, we welcome Micah Allen of Cowboys Ride for Free. We discuss Spencer Sanders, Jim Knowles’ defense, places to go in Stillwater and more!

The most of the attention pertaining to the Oklahoma State Cowboys involves the defense, and for good reason. What has been the biggest key to success for Jim Knowles’ group?

I think it all has to do with age. This defense is full of experienced veterans. In addition to that, I think we’re seeing the payoff of hiring Jim Knowles a few years ago. He’s got a defense that is pretty much his guys that he brought in and he’s able to run that system exactly how he wants.

Speaking of the defense, Malcolm Rodriguez being snubbed from the list of Butkus finalists seemed exceedingly odd. Do you think he has been the best linebacker in the country this year?

Oh, 100%. There is not a doubt in my mind that at the very least Rodriguez should have made that watch list. He is without a doubt good enough to be. He has been an offense’s worst nightmare. He’s just such a great athlete and I hate that he got snubbed.

Offensively, the Cowboys have improved substantially. Has it simply been a matter of Spencer Sanders taking better care of the football, or does it go a bit deeper than that?

I think Spencer Sanders taking care of the football has been a huge part of the improvement that has been shown. But it goes deeper than that I think. They have found what works for this team. Jaylen Warren has stepped up in a big way and I think that has made a difference as well. Tay Martin being out at the beginning of the year hurt this offense more than I think would have been expected so getting him back has been big as well. I think Dunn has got it mostly figured out when it comes to running this offense too. There were definitely some growing pains there. A healthy offensive line has helped as well.

Of Spencer Sanders’ targets, who should OU fans be most aware of entering Saturday?

Running back Jaylen Warren. He got dinged up a little in the Texas Tech game but I think he’s had time to get 100% and I fully expect they use him quite a bit in the game. He’s just so talented at making guys miss and getting those yards after the carry.

Is there a particular personnel matchup where you envision OSU struggling in this one?

Spencer Sanders vs himself. We need good Sanders in this game. He’s going to have to be on his A-game and the OU defense is not gonna make things easy for him. But he’s on the ball and he can play to his potential I think the Pokes are in good shape. This is also gonna sound funny with how I answered the last question but this OU run defense vs Warren. If I remember correctly they held Breece Hall fairly well. I’m curious to see how they contain Jaylen.

Where should OU fans eat and drink when they go to Stillwater?

Ya have to go to Eskimo Joe’s for some cheese fries, then head on over across the street to George’s Stable for some pre-game adult beverages.

Who is your favorite OSU alum outside of sports?

I’m not entirely sure if he graduated, but Jason Boland.

What’s your score prediction?

24-17 Cowboys.

Head down to the comments section to share your thoughts on Bedlam and everything else throughout the day!

Now that all the turkey and pie and oven-baked sides have settled, the stage is set for one of the more entertaining contests in college football. I’m talking about Bedlam, folks. The No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners (10-1, 7-1) are taking on an upstart No. 7 Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-1, 7-1) team looking to reassert itself in this historically competitive yet demonstrably lopsided rivalry. With serious CFP implications on the line, a Crimson & Cream win would guarantee a Bedlam rematch in the Big 12 Championship Game next weekend.

Toby Rowland, aka the voice of OU Football, now has the floor. Take it away, my good man.

Location: Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma

Time & TV: Saturday, Nov. 27 at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC

Commentary: Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe

Streaming: WatchESPN

Line: Oklahoma +4.5 (as of Saturday at 9 a.m. CT)

O/U: 49.5

Gambling Picks

Oklahoma (+4.5) at Oklahoma State

Ohio State (-7) at Michigan

Georgia (-35) at Georgia Tech

Texas Tech (+14) at Baylor

Wake Forest (-5) at Boston College

UConn (+32.5) vs. Houston

UTSA (-10) at North Texas

Auburn (+20.5) vs. Alabama

Oregon (-7) vs. Oregon State

Michigan State (+4) vs. Penn State

Wisconsin (-7) at Minnesota

LSU (+6.5) vs. Texas A&M

Pittsburgh (-12.5) at Syracuse

South Carolina (+11.5) vs. Clemson

Notre Dame (-20.5) at Stanford

BYU (-7) at USC

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For the first time this season, OU will take on the role of the underdog.

The final weekend of college football’s regular season is finally here as the No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners (10-1, 7-1) prepare to take on the No. 7 Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-1, 7-1) in what is shaping up to be a Bedlam showdown for the ages. Inside this top 10 matchup, OU is still working to secure its spot in the Big 12 Championship Game, while OSU has already punched its ticket to Arlington. Could this be the first part of a back-to-back battle for the conference crown between these two teams? Stay tuned to find out.

Date, Time & TV: Saturday, Nov. 27 at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC

Line: Oklahoma +4.5 (as of Friday at 12 p.m. CT)

O/U: 49.5

OU-Oklahoma State Game Primer

Gabe Brkic named Lou Groza Award Finalist

Pat Fields named Wuerffel Trophy Finalist

Allen Kenney shares his pre-Bedlam thoughts Oklahoma’s offense

Week 13 Gambling Picks from Allen & the Skinny

Major Storylines

The Cowboys’ defense is seriously good

In his fourth season at OSU, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has firmly established himself as one of the top assistants in college football. By the numbers, Oklahoma State ranks first in the nation in third down defense (.244), first in team sacks and tackles-for-loss (43.0 and 90.0), second in scoring defense (14.91) and third in total defense (267.5 ypg). Those stats are wildly exceptional by virtually every measure, but perhaps even more impressive than those statistics has been how this group has limited and/or shut down just about every offense it’s faced in 2021.

A defense playing at the level the Cowboys are playing at doesn’t do anything to ease the minds of Sooners fans going into this weekend, especially considering OU’s recent offensive struggles over the last two games. Lincoln Riley’s offense was a bit more productive last Saturday than it was in Waco, but going against one of the very best defenses in the nation will pose a steep challenge that may be too difficult to overcome on the road.

Can Oklahoma’s D-line control the game?

Coming into the season, Oklahoma’s defensive line was expected to be the strength of the team, but through 11 games, that unit has been somewhat inconsistent week-by-week. Still, between Isaiah Thomas, Nik Bonitto, Perrion Winfrey and Jalen Redmond, those four Sooners have a combined 21.0 sacks on the season which is better than the total team efforts of 37 FBS schools. If they play up to their capabilities in Stillwater — and that won’t be easy to do against an Oklahoma State O-line that has only given up 12 sacks on the year — then OU should have a good chance to leave Boone Pickens Stadium with the win.

OSU players to watch

Offensively, keep an eye on RB Jaylen Warren and WR Tay Martin for the Cowboys. Both skill players have shown a knack for breaking off a big play or two as their touches increase throughout games, and both have been models of consistency. Defensively, you could list just about any starter here and it would be a valid choice, but pay attention to LB Devin Harper. He’s a terror who will try to make a life difficult for Caleb Williams in the backfield, so the Sooners’ must do whatever they can to keep him from disrupting their offensive flow.

Bedlam rematch scenarios for the Big 12 title

An OU win this Saturday would force a Sooners-Cowboys rematch in Arlington on Dec. 3, but that isn’t the only path to the Big 12 Championship Game for the Crimson & Cream. Hours before OU and OSU square off at 6:30 p.m., Baylor hosts Texas Tech at 11 a.m. If the Red Raiders manage to upset the Bears, that would guarantee a Bedlam rematch for all the conference marbles, regardless of what happens this weekend in Stillwater.

Prediction

Expect this game to play out exactly how it looks on paper with defense ruling the day. Now, even though Oklahoma State is already a lock to play in the Big 12 title game, the OSU players and home crowd will be completely fired up for this one. OU is walking into an angry hornet’s nest, and it’s going to need Caleb Williams and the offensive line to turn in one of the cleanest performances of the season if the Sooners want any chance at walking away with a win. On defense, Oklahoma will have an opportunity to take advantage of at least a couple mistakes from Spencer Sanders and company, but overall, expect field position and special teams to decide who prevails in Bedlam. With that said, give me the road ‘dogs with a walk-off field goal.

Oklahoma 27, Oklahoma State 24

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