Bedlam Game Day morning brings pressure and optimism

Originally Published: Nov 27, 2010 11:16 AM CDT

-The near term future for the Sooners and Cowboys in the new Big 12 is bright. We know about all the young talent and the incoming recruiting classes that rank among the best ever at each school. But the competition is about to be less stiff and winning a Big 12 without Nebraska will be easier (plus, Nebraska’s recruiting in Texas will be less successful with their switch to the Big 10 leaving more big/strong/fast student athletes for OU and OSU.) The most important factor is that Texas will be down until it finds a big-time QB. TTech is not what it was under Leach. A/M is good but its not going to be winning championships in the next couple of years. The future looks good.
-Wind chills below freezing in Stillwater. That’s what awaits the Sooners and Cowboys in tonight’s Bedlam battle.
-It’s the first cold game of the year for both teams. The low temps impact QBs, receivers and kickers the most. Slick, hard footballs are easy to fumble and hard to throw. Kicking cold footballs is like kicking rocks. But let’s not get this game confused with the Ice Bowl. High winds are the worst. Add the high winds and cold weather then you have a recipe for upsets.
-OU will have trouble winning if OSU jumps out to a ten point or more lead early.
-Landry Jones will have to play his best game to lead OU to a win.
-OSU’s PK advantage could be the difference in a tight game.
-Don’t know why I’m worn out this morning. Didn’t get away from the TV but for a couple of hours yesterday. Baically 11 a.m to 1:50 a.m. Games. And good ones, including another close Thunder road game. The wife was a little frosty when we became reacquainted this morning.
-Trends of note: OU’s lost only six times in Stillwater in 45 years. OU is unbeaten against OSU’s best three modern era head coaches. Jimmy Johnson lost five, Pat Jones lost eleven and Gundy has lost all this five. Bob Stoops has never lost to Gundy and has won seven straight. Barry Switzer and Bud Wilkinson lost a combined one game (yours truly had a hand in that lone OU loss, thank you). OU has covered the spread in all five Gundy losses.
-Pro OSU trends of note: OU is only 1-5 against the spread in its last six road games and 1-5 against teams with a winning record.  OSU was playing for a BCS slot last season but went to Norman an underdog to a five loss OU team and promptly was shutout 27-0. For OSU, they are 8-2 in the last ten against teams with a winning record. They are 6-0 ATS in the last six game as a favorite of less than 3 points.
-A series is not a “rivalry” until each team wins its share of games.
-Can OSU begin a new “history” tonight? Can they avoid playing uptight? They must avoid finding ways to lose to the Sooners which has happened several times in the past.
-Biggest trend: The biggest trend in this game is that the series has been one of the  most lopsided in college football. Will that have any impact on tonight’s game? Would you rather have won tons of games from the fifties on or be playing at home? 
-I’ll probably vote for Cam Newton for Heisman but Boise’s QB Kellen Moore was mighty impressive in their loss at Nevada. With all due respect, Boise would not go unbeaten on a regular basis if it played in the SEC, Big 12, Big 10 and Pac 10.
-Some critics OSU claim OSU’s best win was over an A/M team with a soon to be benched QB in Stillwater. OU hasn’t exactly beaten a season full of juggernauts.
-Was I hearing things or did I hear Rod  Gilmore say late last night on his call of the Boise/Utah game? I swear
-Headed to the Stress Box. Prediction: OSU 31-28.

Dean