IT’S BEDLAM

SOONERS LOOK TO KEEP PLAYOFF HOPES ALIVE AGAINST RIVAL COWBOYS

Keys for Oklahoma

Stop the run: Oklahoma State isn’t the pass-happy team most casual observers assign to a Mike Gundy coached squad. The Cowboys prefer to run the football with Chuba Hubbard leading the conference in attempts and yards. The Sooners must stop Hubbard early and force whomever plays quarterback for Oklahoma State to win on third down.

Score early: Oklahoma is capable of lighting up any defense. Unlike in the Baylor game, the Sooners need to come out hot, quiet the crowd and put pressure on the young quarterbacks at Oklahoma State to pass the

ball more than Gundy wants.

Keys for Oklahoma State

Grind it out: Quarterback Spencer Sanders missed the previous game and isn’t a surething to play against Oklahoma. That puts even more pressure on the running game and Chuba Hubbard. Oklahoma State must win the battle along the line of scrimmage and wear down an Oklahoma defense that was worn down in previous games this season.

Win the turnover battle:

There aren’t many routes for Oklahoma State to win this football game, at least on paper. One way to overcome the talent advantage held by Oklahoma is to steal

possessions. Turnovers not only give your team excellent field position and momentum, but it’s also one less chance for Jalen Hurts and the Oklahoma offense to build rhythm.

Prediction

Oklahoma 42, Oklahoma

State 31: Weird things happen in rivalry games and that’s assuredly true in Bedlam. The uncertainty surrounding the health of Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders is another hurdle for the Cowboys to deal with in a game presenting plenty of onfield challenges. Expect the Cowboys to keep it close early, but Jalen Hurts is too much for Oklahoma State’s defense.

[THE ASSOCIATED PRESS] Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray (9) and Delarrin Turner-Yell (32) tackle TCU’s Darius Anderson.