SIX KEY BEDLAM MATCHUPS

A look at six key matchups in Saturday’s Bedlam game:

Sooners WR Mark Andrews vs. Cowboys LB Kenneth Edison-McGruder

Andrews presents matchup problems, packing wide receiver skills in a tight end’s body. At 6-5, 254 pounds, Andrews leads the Sooners with 36 catches for 599 yards – a 16.6 average per catch – with four touchdowns. He’s a big target, an easy target and OU quarterback Baker Mayfield relies on him to convert first downs. While the Cowboys’ coverage assignment on Andrews may be shared, the fast and physical Edison-McGruder, filling OSU’s hybrid linebacker-safety role, figures to get primary duties in slowing the big Sooner. Edge: Even.

Cowboys DE Jordan Brailford vs. Sooners LT Orlando Brown

Oklahoma State figures to try to bring pressure from plenty of different angles in Bedlam, but one of the primary areas of attack figures to be Brailford off the edge. If Brailford has success, that makes slowing down Mayfield that much easier. But while Brailford has been strong — he has 24 tackles and 3.5 sacks — and rotation player Cole Walterscheid has had the most productive stretch of his career recently, Brown has been dominant for stretches against some of the best defensive linemen in the country. Edge: Brown.

Cowboys LT Aaron Cochran vs. Sooners LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo

Cochran has been a quality fit as a grad transfer from Cal, filling a major void in protecting Mason Rudolph’s blindside. Cochran is massive, yet could face issues dealing with Okoronkwo’s speed off the edge, even requiring help from a Cowboy back or running back. Okoronkwo, who leads the Big 12 with seven sacks, paced the Sooners with nine tackles – two for losses – in last year’s Bedlam win. He’s a disrupter the Cowboys must account for at all times. Edge: Okoronkwo.

Cowboys RB Justice Hill vs. Sooners LB Kenneth Murray

Oklahoma State has committed to the run in the last two games as defenses have taken to bringing just a three-man rush and dropping everyone else back in coverage. The Sooners figure to do some of that but also are likely to mix things up defensively as well. Murray, a freshman, figures to be a big piece in slowing down the ground attack to allow Oklahoma’s defense to cover on the back end. If he can do that, it becomes much easier to guard guys like James Washington and Marcell Ateman. If he can’t and if Hill has success, then the Sooners’ defense looks pretty shaky. Edge: Hill

Sooners QB Baker Mayfield vs. Cowboys LB Chad Whitener

Mayfield’s magic extends wide, from his pure passing skills to his ability to extend plays until the best option presents itself, oftentimes a Mayfield scramble. Whitener, the Cowboys’ cerebral and stable defensive playcaller, will be tasked with not only getting the OSU defense positioned, but also in reading Mayfield’s every move whenever he drops to pass. It’s a major task, yet in Whitener the Cowboys have a savvy veteran who’s dealt with Mayfield before. Edge: Mayfield.

Cowboys WR James Washington vs. Sooners CB Parnell Motley

After recording at least 98 receiving yards in each of Oklahoma State’s six games, Washington has a combined 11 catches for 123 yards in the last two. Washington figures to have opportunities downfield against the Sooners and he’ll likely need to get a step on Motley to do that. Motley was fantastic early in the season as offenses tried to test the first-time starter until he proved himself. But with the improvement of Jordan Thomas recently, teams are starting to go back to Motley and he’s struggled recently. Edge: Washington.