Mad scientist vs. offensive genius: Who wins the battle between OSU's Jim Knowles and OU's Lincoln Riley?
Oklahoma State is in the Big 12 Championship Game, but there is still more to play for this weekend. The seventh-ranked Cowboys host No. 10 OU in the annual Bedlam matchup at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, this time with the College Football Playoff chase on for both. And an OSU win could keep the Sooners from forcing a Bedlam rematch in Arlington, Texas.
Here are three players to watch, two big questions and one wild prediction from the OSU side of things:
Carlson: Why Jim Knowles and his Oklahoma State defense haven't been nice to young quarterbacks
Carlson: Why Jim Knowles and his Oklahoma State defense haven't been nice to young quarterbacks
3 players to watch in OSU vs. OSU
Running back Jaylen Warren: The Cowboys’ leading rusher has eclipsed 100 yards just once in the past five games and is less than 100%. He was limited in last week’s 23-0 win at Texas Tech after not practicing during the week. Several Cowboys missed practice with injuries that week — including linemen Danny Godlevske and Josh Sills — making things tough in Lubbock for the offense. But if Warren is a full go and the line is close to healthy, the Cowboys plan to get back to their run-heavy attack.
Wide receiver Tay Martin: OSU’s veteran receiver started Bedlam off with strong words, even if it wasn’t entirely meant as trash talk. Still, that puts a target on Martin, the Cowboys’ leading with 54 receptions, 765 yards and six touchdowns. A big game against a battered secondary would be huge, both on and off the field.
Cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse: Texas Tech got in desperation mode last week, opting often to throw up the football and hope for a pass interference or holding call. Three times, Bernard-Converse was flagged for pass interference. But more often than not this season, he’s been rock solid on the team’s top receiver. He leads the Cowboys with six pass breakups. Fellow corner Christian Holmes has five. When teams have attacked the duo, things have been difficult for quarterbacks and receivers.
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2 big questions in OSU vs. OU
Mad scientist vs. offensive genius. Who wins the battle between Jim Knowles and Lincoln Riley? Knowles has the Cowboys playing a rare level of defense hardly seen in the Big 12. Riley is regarded as one of the best offensive minds in the country and usually has plenty of tricks against the Cowboys, even if the offense isn’t up to usual standards. Knowles’ defenses have not held OU below 34 points in three previous matchups, all losses. The Cowboys have yet to allow more than 24 points in a game this season. The chess match between the two coaches will be fascinating.
Can the Cowboys put aside their Bedlam struggles? OSU last won Bedlam in 2014, a wild overtime finish. The Cowboys have won just twice in the past decade. Perhaps there is a mental block. It’s a different team this time, though. These Cowboys are more experienced, poised and determined to prove they belong in the College Football Playoff hunt. There is no other reason to feel that way this season.
1 wild prediction in OSU vs. OU
The Cowboys will force three turnovers. OU has yet to turn the ball over more than twice in a game this season, but with the Cowboys’ deceptive mix on defense against a young quarterback, they cash in big.
Jacob Unruh, Staff writer
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Who wins Bedlam football battle between Jim Knowles & Lincoln Riley?
