King of the Game: OSU vs. Oklahoma

It’s here. Bedlam.

The date we all both anticipate and dread. OSU faces off against in-state rival OU this Saturday, in a potential Big-12 title knock-out game.

It should be a fun one both on the field Saturday, and for us King of the Game pickers.

Before we get started, a reminder of how this thing works:

Each week five people will make predictions about the upcoming game. The predictions will vary each week. Plus, each contestant gets the opportunity to earn bonus points by making a wild prop bet. Our contestants will consist of myself, Kyle Cox, Nick Welch, someone from the enemy’s side, and an OSU fan contributor.

This week, our picks from the enemy come courtesy of Jack Shields, the managing editor at Crimson and Cream Machine, SBNation’s OU blog.

Our fan picker is Nick Myers, also known as SCPokes. I asked for kind words about the Sooners this week, and you guys took it in exactly the direction I hoped you would. There were a bunch of great responses, but I couldn’t stop laughing at Nick’s.

Let’s get to this week’s bets:

• Bet Against the Spread: OSU (-4) – Although this line has moved all the way to -1.5 since we picked, the Cowboys are still favored in Bedlam for the first time since 2013. Can they get the win and cover?

• More Passing Yards: OSU or OU — It’s the No. 2 passing offense in the country (Oklahoma State) vs. the No. 3 passing offense in the country, and the difference is a one-yard-per-game average. Who ends the game with more yards through the air?

• Over/Under: 50 percent run plays by OSU — Gundy loves to run the ball, whether it’s in his best interest or not. Will the team stay balanced this Saturday, or let the ball go through the air more than it stays on the ground?

• King of the Game: Mike Gundy or Lincoln Riley — Let’s make this easy. Winning coach is King of the Game.

• Prop Bet: Give me something you think will happen pre-or-post game.

So, without further adieu…

Phillip Slavin

Bet Against the Spread: OU – I think this game ends close. Like really close. Like a field goal close.

More Passing Yards: OSU – I’m of the opinion that Gundy wasn’t afraid of coaching aggressive against OU, it was about Bob Stoops. The way to beat OU is to go after their secondary. I think he does that. I also think OSU’s secondary continues to play lights out.

Over/Under: Under – But not by much. Being a close game, I think it’s a fight and one OSU will need to throw the ball in to win.

King of the Game: Mike Gundy – Yep, I think OSU wins.

Prop Bet: Baker Mayfield shows up to the stadium in a t-shirt with his mugshot on it.

Kyle Cox

Bet Against the Spread: OSU – I’m picking Oklahoma State to win 49-39

More Passing Yards: Oklahoma State – because for my above prediction to come to fruition, this has to happen. I think the Rudolph-to-Washington duo stamps its brand on the middle of Lewis Field against a suspect Sooner secondary. Bedlam will be fun again, if just for one day.

Over/Under: Over – Slightly, but I think Rudolph and the Cowboy receivers take matters into their own hands.

King of the Game: Mike Gundy – Gundy gets this next leg of Bedlam history off to a good start by besting the FBS’ youngest head coach.

Prop Bet: If OSU does win, somebody plants Ramon at the 50-yard line.

Nick Welch

Bet Against the Spread: OSU – this Bedlam is unlike any I’ve witnessed in my young life. No Bob Stoops, perfect forecasted weather, and a confident OSU defensive unit. OSU surprises the nation with a win, and in doing so, covers.

More Passing Yards: OSU – It’s been 3 weeks since Rudolph has thrown for 300+ yards. Shimonek absolutely shredded OU’s pass defense in the 1st half last week. OU now face a more balanced and stronger team in OSU. I see Rudolph having a strong final game against OU and OSU winning the passing yards battle in the process.

Over/Under: Under – OU has been able to play a decent rush defense in conference play except for the KState game. It’ll be interesting to see how Mike Stoops incorporates the TCU/Texas game plan into this game. With OU’s strong D-Line, I think OSU will switch it up and let Mason air it out to his buddies.

King of the Game: Mike Gundy – Give me all of the Orange Kool-Aid. Gus Johnson goes nuts in the press-box as Gundy begins his Bedlam battle with Lincoln Riley with a 1-0 record.

Prop Bet: I think we see The Brand on the helmet for the first time this season

Enemy: Jack Shields

Bet Against the Spread: OU – I’m going with Oklahoma to win and cover here, and a lot of that has to do with how well Mayfield has played on the road during his time at Oklahoma. He still hasn’t lost a true road game as QB1 at OU, and a lot of that involves a topic that has been beaten like a dead horse since 2015 — that big ol’ chip on his shoulder. In all seriousness, he really does seem to take things to a different level when he’s in someone else’s house or thinks he has “something to prove”. If Mike Stoops keeps his head out of his a** and sticks with the same four-man front that worked against Texas Tech, Oklahoma’s chances are pretty decent.

More Passing Yards: OSU – This sort of brings me back to something I brought up during my previous answer, which is the use of a four-man front. When Oklahoma moved to a 4-3 in the second quarter on Saturday, Texas Tech became much more one-dimensional. I also think Mike Yurcich would be silly not to pick on OU’s secondary as much as possible.

Over/Under: Under – I think Yurcich will try to force Oklahoma’s defensive backs to make plays on Saturday — whether it be forcing them to make tackles in space on screens or challenging them to win battles downfield with Washington and Ateman. I know they’ll want to establish the run, but I think everything in this matchup points to the under here.

King of the Game: Lincoln Riley –  but it’s going to be interesting to see if he can continue the success that Bob had in this rivalry. Was Gundy’s issue in the rivalry an Oklahoma problem or a Stoops problem? Oklahoma State fans are definitely hoping it was more of the latter, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Prop Bet: I predict that three of the four pickers (including Fowler) will pick Oklahoma State to win. Kirk Herbstreit will pick Oklahoma.

Fan: Nick Myers

Bet Against the Spread: OSU – With the improvement in health of our offense line, including the Rimington award-caliber center, I think the King of the Hill has their way against a below average run defense.

More Passing Yards: OU – This is more of a statement on how I think OSU will game plan offensively as opposed to what Baker will do, but I do think OU’s Freshman Lamb presents a problem for our two young corners in this game.

Over/Under: Over – The two Mikes respond to the criticism of a lack of creativity and in game adjustments and come up with some creative ways to incorporate both King and Hill in a run heavy offense.  This will also help limit the disruptive force that is Obo Okoronkwo.

King of the Game: Mike Gundy – I’m drinking all of the orange kool-aid and likely going against what most PFB readers believe will happen.  Mike “Big Daddy” Gundy coaches one of the best games of his career and finally gets the conservative Bedlam monkey off his back.

Prop Bet: Barry Sanders is the GameDay guest picker and they bring out Joe’s cheese fries on the set.