Bedlam 2019: The 10 Most Important Players in This Year’s Game

Bedlam week is here, and we have one really good (maybe great?) team and another that is somehow — despite losing to Texas Tech — within striking distance of a nine- or ten-win season. OU is a 14-point favorite over the Pokes, but we’ve seen how OSU plays with nothing to lose (see: 2018, Bedlam).

The Bedlam matchup on Saturday should be a great one as a tremendous machine of an OU offense takes on a suddenly-impressive OSU defense that’s been winning the Pokes games (plural) since the calendar turned to October. With five days to go until his game kicks, here are the 10 most important players for Bedlam 2019.

• Chuba Hubbard: Gundy said it on Saturday. The offense is on Chuba’s back. How far can he run with it and how quickly can he get there? OSU will have to find other ways to generate yards and points than simply handing to 30 every single time, but they won’t win unless he’s great. The good news: All he’s been this year is great.

• Jalen Hurts: I watched a monster in the second half against Baylor two weeks ago. A punisher. A menace. Somebody capable of winning massive in-conference road games by himself. Because he — unlike Chuba — controls the ball at all times, he’s probably the most important player to this year’s finale.

Jalen Hurts' visor popped off his helmet after this hit ? pic.twitter.com/5kJYvxsiCo

— ESPN (@espn) November 17, 2019

• Dillon Stoner: He might not be the most electrifying wideout for the Pokes on Saturday — that distinction could go to Braydon Johnson or even Jelani Woods — but he’ll be the most depended upon. Stoner had 11 targets in his first outing as Dru Brown’s No. 1 guy, and I wouldn’t expect fewer than that on Saturday.

In his first Bedlam as the guy, how will he respond?

• CeeDee Lamb: He’s somehow never housed a college punt, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be petrified every time he touches it on Saturday. Hollywood was the world-beater last year in Bedlam, but Lamb had three catches and 61 punt return yards. Might want to see if Chuba wants to go full Charles Woodson and line up for every play on Saturday.

• Amen Ogbongbemiga: The likely X-factor on defense is OSU’s other Canadian. If Amen gets a pick and Chuba gets the winner on Saturday, does that mean Stillwater is the 11th Canadian province and must fly the red and white maple leaf until 2020? I think it might.

• Kolby Harvell-Peel: He’s had an All-American season for a defense that has found itself. Hurts is turnover prone (7 fumbles, 6 picks so far), and if somebody on the opposing team is giving the ball up, KHP is probably going to find it. Also notable: Hurts has pick-sixes in two straight games. ?

• Dru Brown: It was enough to manage the situation (™️Trent Dilfer) on Saturday in Morgantown. It won’t be on Saturday in Stillwater. At some point, OSU is going to have to ask Brown to do some things that are on the edge of what he’s probably capable of doing. Bedlam 2019 (and his folklore-like legacy) could rest on whether or not he can do them.

• Kenneth Murray: He leads OU in tackles and tackles for loss. He’s a monstrosity and a pro. If Chu is stopped, Murray will be one of the primary culprits. His size and speed are not like anything OSU has seen all season.

Kenneth Murray is out here on a mission – that is serious LB speed pic.twitter.com/ycvWiUohnN

— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) September 2, 2019

• Matt Ammendola: Remember the missed 41-yarder last season? How about the missed extra point that would have put OSU up 42-41 and in a position to not have to go for two and the win late in the game? After starting this year on ?, Ammendola has stumbled a bit of late. If the game on Saturday is close, he’ll play a big role.

On the other side, freshman Gabe Brkic hasn’t missed a FG this season and swags a little harder than he should. Could be the first kicker swag-off at BPS on Saturday.

The Brkic Strut as he went out for the 31-yd game winner should be taught in grade schools across the state. pic.twitter.com/BfBFwO0Swa

— Eddie Radosevich (@Eddie_Rado) November 17, 2019

• Trace Ford: Going there. He’s proven he can play literally any position OSU wants him to play, and he’s a fascinating option if OSU wants to shadow Hurts throughout. The unit with the highest upside in this game is — I cannot believe I’m typing this — Oklahoma State’s defense, and Ford has become one of the biggest reasons why that’s the case.

Trace Ford is a luxury. Lines up at EDGE, then goes wide with motion. Sits down in zone to play underneath potential out/hitch from WR (watch eyes locked in on QB), all while keeping check down as primary. Then goes and makes play. He’s DE folks. pic.twitter.com/JyUTwsgel0

— TapeDoesntLiePod (@Tapedoesntliepd) November 24, 2019