Bedlam is a word which can describe so many things in college football right now. Bedlam is what happens when teams like Michigan State have their season decided on the final play of three games. Bedlam is what happens when half of the Top 10 loses one week and then three more go down while three others get tested the next. Bedlam is what the College Football Playoff selection committee has to sift through to leave us with the four best teams in America.
But on Saturday, Bedlam is about the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Oklahoma Sooners. Both have been blemished in the run-in to the Big XII season, but both can state their case one final time to be one of the four teams in America to reach the coveted College Football Playoff.
We will have the first college football odds at BookMaker.eu for Bedlam this week.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Few would argue the fact that Oklahoma has the better of these two teams so long as Baker Mayfield is healthy. He was evaluated for a concussion last week against TCU, and that's why this game remains off the board as of Sunday evening.
Still, the game is going to feature a close spread one way or the other. Oklahoma State has an awesome home field advantage in Stillwater, and this series has always had its share of twists and turns, not the least of which was last season. In fact, the last two years, the team which has won this game has been the road team. Okie State was a 21-point dog last year in Norman, while the Sooners were +10 here in Stillwater in 2013.
WHEN THE OKLAHOMA SOONERS HAVE THE BALL
Mayfield makes all the difference in the world to this offense. Last week against TCU, he led OU to a 23-7 halftime lead. The Sooners had to hold on tight with Trevor Knight under center from there.
Oklahoma only went 4-for-20 on third downs, though Knight was the big problem with that. When he was in there, the offense basically revolved solely around the ground game with Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon. Sure, those men combined for 275 rushing yards, but without that balance with the passing game, this offense is nothing for live bettors to be afraid of.
There has to be a big concern here for the Cowboys defensively either way, though. Baylor just hung 45 on this unit with backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham dealing with a back injury, and the week prior, Iowa State basically did what it wanted on offense in a 35-31 escape from Ames.
WHEN THE OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS HAVE THE BALL
The Pokes can score for sure, as they have put up at least 30 in every game they've played since Week 1. They've put up 35+ in five games in a row, and we have no reason to doubt that they can do that again in this one.
Mason Rudolph is the real deal as a passer, and he has the best crop of receivers in the land as we see it in James Washington, David Glidden and Marcell Ateman. These three are all fast, they can all stretch out the field, and the Pokes aren't beyond taking shots on three plays in a row down the field, utilizing all three of them in the process.
Oklahoma's defense can be had, but this unit is one of the better in a conference which isn't known for its 'D'. The Sooners are allowing 20.5 points per game this season, and though that number has gone up in some of these big time conference games, there's enough talent here to at least slow down anyone.
Live bettors need to be prepared for stretches in this game when the Cowboys don't look their best. That doesn't mean they can't ultimately win or cover, but it does mean that there will be some opportunities for live bettors to get some great value on the Sooners in all likelihood.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The matchup between the Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys will take place Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. ET at Boone Pickens Stadium. The contest will be televised nationally on ABC.
