Mike Gundy doubles down on future of Bedlam rivalry, explains why
In Mike Gundy’s eyes, Bedlam is over. After Oklahoma State’s 27-24 win over Oklahoma on Saturday, the Cowboys’ head coach explained why he believes the historic rivalry is over as fans know it.
“During the regular season, it won’t happen,” Gundy said. “We’ll end up playing Oklahoma in bowl games. The SEC and the Big 12 have ties in bowl games, and they don’t have locked-in teams playing each other based on where you finished.
“I’m gonna guess probably not so far down the road bowl games are going to negotiate around and want us to play [Oklahoma] in a bowl game somewhere because it’s going to be sold out, revenue, it’d be a big deal.”
The two programs will no longer meet in the regular season due to Oklahoma’s decision to join the SEC. The Sooners will officially leave the Big 12 in July 2024. The move will mark the end of a storied rivalry.
The teams have faced off annually every year since 1910. In that time, Oklahoma boasts a 91-20-7 record over the Cowboys. Nonetheless, Oklahoma State stole the last laugh. The Cowboys handed Oklahoma its second-straight loss, knocking the Sooners out of the top 10.
Mike Gundy doesn’t expect to see Oklahoma soon
Gundy believes Oklahoma won’t want to face the Cowboys again unless it is forced to.
“To think that you’re gonna go and schedule another game like that, and then go through a grueling conference schedule to put yourself in a position, it’s a poor business decision,” Gundy said. “It’s a poor investment. It’s just not smart. Now, somebody else might feel differently about me, but I’m just telling you the way it is. If somebody tells you differently, don’t buy it.”
With the College Football Playoff expanding to a 12-team format next season, the two programs might meet again sooner than expected. Both teams would currently be on the edge of the CFP if it included 12 teams this season.
No matter what the future holds, Gundy is proud his program can flaunt a triumph in the final Bedlam.
“It’s a big deal. I mean, this is the last Bedlam,” Gundy said. “All the Oklahoma State people have put up with a lot of crap for 100 years. They’ve had their butt kicked a bunch. Now they’re going to walk around and say we won the last game.”
Oklahoma State will look to ride its positive momentum this weekend. On Saturday, Gundy and Co. will face off against UCF at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.