Three-Kyle Weave: Unease Ahead of Bedlam, OSU’s Best Shot at an Upset

The three Kyle’s sorted out their thoughts Thursday to try to get their head straight on what to expect this weekend when Oklahoma State travels to Norman for the 113th edition of Bedlam football. Here’s where they landed in their weekly back-and-forth.

Kyle Porter: It feels like there’s been a lot of ambivalence this week about the 113th edition of Bedlam. Why do you guys think that is?

Kyle Cox: Probably just based on the up-and-(mostly)-down year in Stillwater juxtaposed with the never-ending highlight reel in Norman. There’s not a lot that favors the Cowboys on paper in this matchup.

Porter: Yeah, part of me wonders if it would be better if OSU was just awful (some might say they are, I guess!). They seem to be in this weird purgatorial state where they aren’t good enough to really care, but they aren’t bad enough that you’re tuning in (during the week or during the game) for a total wreck.

Kyle Boone: I really feel like the ambivalence is aimed half at OSU and half at Gundy from OSU fans. There’s this weird feeling about the program from an outsider’s perspective that Gundy has either A) not done a good job this year (which is fair to say) or B) that he’s chosen to punt on the season overall. I don’t think Gundy is punting, because no good coach is going to purposely lose games, but the fact that this team continues to try (and fail) using the same/similar personnel and schemes is maddening to watch.

Porter: At the same time, you could argue they’re two plays (Tylan’s catch against Iowa State and a stop in Waco) from being 7-2. I know the Ws haven’t been there, but I don’t think they’ve been as bad as people think. Or maybe I don’t think the three teams before them were as good as people think.

Porter: One thing I’ve been thinking about this week is how hollow a Bedlam win would feel after whiffing on three straight potential Big 12 titles and then beating OU and Texas in your down year. Agree or disagree?

Boone: I disagree. It would definitely have a feel of, “Where the heck has that been?!“, but a win over OU is a cure-all for a lot of things. Would matter a lot this weekend even if it’s only to clinch bowl eligibility.

Cox: I don’t know if it’s hollow. Maybe it is from one perspective, but I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how the players and coaches think about these games. At this point, players need something to hang their hat on. Just because you lose a game doesn’t mean you didn’t work your butt off the last week and on Saturday. How many of those guys who experienced three straight 10-win years claimed that Bedlam 2014 was their favorite career memory? It was cathartic.

Porter: That’s a great point.

Porter: Is … uh … is Kyler going to be more problematic than Baker was?

Cox: More, WAY MORE. Maybe that’s hyperbolic, but he’s scary good and terrifyingly athletic. I just look at OSU’s defense and its one strength, and how he completely nullifies it.

Boone: Kyler’s definitely more of a threat with his legs than Baker, so I guess the answer is probably yes. Running quarterbacks always give OSU fits. But Kyler’s decision-making overall — against Texas and Texas Tech — has kind of been shaky as a passer. He’s more easy to rattle than Baker.

Porter: Yeah I think that’s right. Of course you could give OSU the starting 11 from Alabama’s current defense, and I would remain unconvinced they could keep OU from scoring 50+.

Cox: That’s true.

Boone: The only thing I’m confident in is that I will walk away from my first trip to Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium this weekend extremely disappointed.

Cox: I look at the QB matchup (or discrepancy) in past Bedlams and kind of retroactively place some onus on it. And if I apply that to this Saturday, it’s sad-face emoji.

Porter: It really does stink knowing the outcome going in. Like, I don’t even know the formula for OSU winning. Maybe Kyler throwing five picks or something insane.

Boone: I think if Gundy comes in with a red-hot gameplan they have a shot. But I think that gameplan should include one or more of the QBs he refuses to touch.

Cox: Gundy has to let it fly and hope like 10 things go his way… Then I think about how I felt about last year when Gundy left it fly and lost WITH MASON frickin RUDOLPH.

Porter: This is our “James Harden got traded” hill.

Porter: The 2018 QB situation. It’s all we’ve talked about, but I’m not sure you can talk about it too much.

Cox: You can’t, in my opinion. It’s the most important position on the field and decides not only wins but eras, but we’re only allowed to grade those decisions when they work out?

Porter: Yeah, I agree. Although I’m not sure the 2011 offense could keep pace with the 2018 defense going against OU’s 2018 offense. The math, barring like you guys said five or six or eight turnovers/crazy plays/trick plays/special teams mania, just doesn’t work.