NBC Sports, CFN Pick Sooners to Win Bedlam

CollegeFootballNews.com predicts that OU will defeat OSU this weekend by a score of 38-34.

“Oklahoma will be Oklahoma. While everyone wants to talk about what might happen if Oklahoma State wins, there’s a reason the Sooners have won seven Big Ten titles under Big 12 Big Game Bob Stoops. Weeden will come up with his numbers and the Cowboys will look fantastic at times, but OU’s defense will do just enough to get into the backfield while stopping Joseph Randle and the OSU running game cold. The Sooner offensive line will outplay the OSU defensive front, and Jones will match Weeden stat for stat in a fun see-saw shootout.”

Meanwhile, NBC Sports also has the Sooners winning by a similar score of 38-35.

“We could go on and on about the leaky Sooner secondary. Or discuss the injuries to key offensive personel — wideout Ryan Broyles (knee), tailback Dominique Whaley (ankle), etc. But the fact of the matter is this: the Sooners have a heavy habit of coming out on top in Bedlam and playing in premier bowls.

“Oklahoma State (10-1, 7-1) has never won an outright Big 12 (or Big Eight) title or participated in the BCS. To do so this year, the Cowboys will have to beat Oklahoma (9-2, 6-2) for the first time since 2002.

“This will be a shootout and as is always the case, maximizing possessions and staying away from turnovers will be the key. That gives the Cowboys a leg up as only top-ranked LSU owns a better turnover margin than they do.

“In last season’s meeting, Sooner quarterback Landry Jones helped out the OSU cause by throwing three interceptions, but he also completed 37 passes to his teammates for 468 yards and four touchdowns, fueling a 47-41 victory, which also was in Stillwater.

“This will be a similar shootout.

“The underdog Sooners can snatch a share of the Big 12 title and, more importantly, a BCS berth with a win. The Cowboys, on the other hand, have to deal with the heavy pressure of not screwing up their big chance. Even a shot at the national championship is a possibility. It’s too much to think about and too much to handle.”