So, it's Bedlam Saturday. We all see it for what it is. You know, a football game between state rivals, an opportunity for bragging rights, and a chance to get together, spend a bunch of money on beverages and scream and yell for a few hours.
It's an interesting day for those few of us in this city who happened to go to school in the "other" city involved in this game.
CONCERNED READER: "Uh, I hate to interrupt, but Stool-water really isn't a city, it's more like a town. Or a dump. You can tell from the smell from that pig farm when you drive into town."
The name is of course "Stillwater," so named because, well, I have no idea why. And the pig farm, well, yeah, it doesn't always smell so great. I do know the town was a fine home for my five years of college, among the most formative and critical of my life.
But back to football. Today's game marks the 100th football competition between the Oklahoma and Oklahoma State/Oklahoma A--M universities. Here's a free history lesson.
Few remember the first meeting, back in 1904, a game played in Guthrie. An excerpt from an old OU football media guide tells the story of a fumble that actually rolled into a creek running behind one of the goal lines. Back in those days of the sport, the ball was still in play.
As OU fans might expect, a Sooner recovered the fumble for a soggy touchdown. His team went on to a 75-0 victory.
Gosh, 75-0!
The bad news is OU lost to Texas 40-10 the very next week.
But back to Bedlam. That losing feeling became all too familiar for the Cowboys/Aggies. In 76 of the 99 previous games, OU won. Seven times the teams tied. That leaves only 16 wins since 1904 for the Cowboys.
That's a lot of grief for me and my OSU ancestors.
SAM POTTS, THE WRITER'S FATHER: "Well, actually, I've really been an OU fan this whole time, so I haven't had that much grief at all."
See, now it goes beyond family lines. Ah, but such is the way with in-state rivalries.
Time, as well as working in these parts for several years, may have healed some of my general dislike for the colors crimson and cream. Back in the day, I'd probably have hoped for a 75-0 result for the Sooners' opponent every week. Now I just hope for a good game where nobody gets hurt, and the Sooners only lose by a field goal.
In fact, it's probably in our best interests, professionally and financially in Norman, for the Sooners to be winning. It gets more people in a better mood, eager to spend money, some of which might be going to pay my salary and keep my kids' presents -- they want OU stuff, imagine that -- rolling in.
Then again, it has been kind of fun coming into work some of these recent years after an OSU win in this game. I already know the comments are coming from coworkers and friends.
COWORKER 1: "I'd sure be mad if I was an OSU fan that they didn't play like that all year."
COWORKER 2: "Those referees screwed us two weeks in a row!"
JAMES TYREE: "Which bowl game are you going to again?"
Ah, Bedlam. Such a time of camaraderie, of friendship, of pure desire to see one's foe humiliated and crying on the floor. Let the fun begin.
Local news
Seeing Bedlam for what it really is
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