For 117 years, the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys have battled it out to see who is the best team in Oklahoma.
The Sooners hold a huge edge in the Bedlam rivalry with a record of 91-19-7. 2023 is expected to be the final Bedlam game for the foreseeable future as the Sooners head to the SEC.
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As Week 0 kicked off on Saturday, that means we have the first “College GameDay” on ESPN. During a segment on Bedlam, Pat McAfee said Oklahoma State fans should be happy the rivalry is going away.
“I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news,” McAfee said. “Oklahoma State might be happy this rivalry is over. 91-19-7 Oklahoma is in the Bedlam rivalry. So, I don’t know if they’re jumping into signing up for that more times.”
“Oklahoma State might be happy this rivalry’s over…”
Pat McAfee points out just how lopsided Bedlam has been historically.
The Sooners and the Pokes will play their last game against each other for some time this season. OU heads to the SEC in 2024. pic.twitter.com/iFB5CCLj7K
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 26, 2023
Oklahoma State fans probably don’t want to hear that, but it is true. It might be a good thing for this one to go away. One, they can stop being in the shadow of the Sooners and instead branch out and create their own legacy.
Two, this will help their chances to get into the playoff. Of course, they can beat Oklahoma, but history says more often than not, the Sooners will come out on top.
If you are fighting for that final playoff spot, you want as few losses as you can possibly have to boost your resume.
I get the nostalgia of having Bedlam.
It’s what fans in the State of Oklahoma have known their whole lives. It will feel weird not to have it on the schedule. But for now, it’s best both teams go their separate ways.
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