John Shinn
Oklahoma barely got out of the locker room at Baylor Saturday before the questions started flying. Few were about the 36-10 victory over the Bears.
Bedlam football week comes along just once a year. No sense wasting time.
The Sooners, who improved to 9-2 overall and 6-1 in the Big 12 Conference with the win, face Oklahoma State (6-5, 3-4) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater.
The in-state rivalry is enough to get football fans’ blood pumping throughout the state. But the stakes surrounding the game open the valves a little more.
The Sooners climbed in the polls Saturday, jumping three spots in the Associated Press Top 25 to No. 13.
More importantly, they rose two spots to No. 15 in the BCS standings. The top 12 at the end of the regular season are eligible for BCS bowl bids.
The only way to keep climbing is to keep winning.
“This game is the only one that matters,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “We’re going to do everything we can to win this game.”
But Bedlam isn’t the only game this week that could affect the Sooners’ postseason.
Friday, there will be plenty of eyes on Texas. The Longhorns (9-2, 6-1) host Texas A&M; at 11 a.m. If Texas wins, it secures the Big 12 South and advances to the Big 12 championship game against Nebraska.
A loss, however, would mean OU heads into Bedlam knowing a victory clinches its fourth Big 12 South title in five years.
The players will be watching Friday.
“People have to do what they’ve got to do,” wide receiver Malcolm Kelly said. “Texas is a really good team. A&M; is a really good team. But if A&M; wins, it does go in our favor. That’s really the most important thing right now, things that go in our favor.”
Lately, a lot has gone in OU’s favor.
Saturday’s victory was its sixth in a row and seventh straight holding the opponent to less than 300 yards of total offense.
Perhaps more impressive, five of those wins have come while Adrian Peterson’s broken collarbone mends.
No decision has been made about his status for Bedlam. But it’s apparent OU has hit its stride without him.
“Coach Stoops always harps on getting better each week and I think we’ve done that.” defensive end Alonzo Dotson said after recording two sacks and a safety against Baylor. “All we can do is win our games to put ourselves in the best position at the end of the season.”
Whatever happens between the Longhorns and Aggies won’t change OU’s Bedlam perspective.
“We could care less about that,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “It’s exciting to play Oklahoma State. It’s a big game and you always look forward to it.”
But the stakes can always be higher. OU will know for sure when it steps on the field Saturday.
John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com
