OU Players: Bedlam Is a Rivalry, ‘Just Like’ Texas Game

We’ve all heard it before from our crimson-favoring counterparts. Bedlam’s not a real rivalry. They reserve that status for the vaunted Longhorns. You know, the team Mike Gundy has beaten five straight times in Austin.

As silly and self-betraying as that sentiment may be, Bedlam is still a rivalry, one-sided or not. Just ask the actual Sooners who will be making the hour-plus trip north on I-35 on Saturday.

Freshman wide receiver CeeDee Lamb will be taking part in his first edition of the cross-state bout.

“I heard it was a big game just like the Red River Showdown,” said Lamb. “Oklahoma State is a good team and we look forward to battling it out with them.”

Sophomore linebacker Caleb Kelly has taken part in one Bedlam game and tallied three tackles and a QB hurry in that forgettable rain-soaked bout last December.

“It is a rivalry game,” said Kelly. “Those guys are balling this year. They have a good record and they are doing what they do. Coming into these games you see them a little bit different, I say this about Texas too, just because they are rivalry games so they are going to give their best effort no matter what.

“I think it is just a game where everyone is attentive in practice and doing what they need to do. I am looking forward to it. I look forward to every game, making more plays and having fun with my brothers.”

Sophomore running back Rodney Anderson is ready for his first shot at Bedlam.

“I’m very excited,” said Anderson. “It’ll be my first time to play them since being here. This is my third year and I haven’t played them yet, so I’m excited and I know they’ve got a great squad over there.”

Starting defensive end D.J. Ward redshirted in 2013 when his Sooners stole one in Stillwater. The Southmoore product and Oklahoma native has not only been around for four previous Bedlam games, he’s seen the feud up close throughout his childhood.

“It is going to be intense as always,” said Ward. “Every rep, every snap is going to be intense.”

And an unusually tight-lipped Bedlam vet, Baker Mayfield, still couldn’t help but leak out confirmation that he’ll be resurrecting what’s become one a yearly Bedlam tradition.

“Just means the mustache is coming out earlier.”

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