In college athletics, few rivalries ignite as much passion or boast as rich a legacy as the face-off between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. These two institutions have a storied history of fierce competition, with football often serving as the main battleground. The term "Bedlam Series" has come to symbolize any clash across various sports between these two universities, each encounter adding a new chapter to their enduring rivalry.
As Oklahoma sets its course towards the SEC, the Oklahoma State athletic department, with head football coach Mike Gundy at the forefront, has expressed significant discontent with this decision. The ripple effects of this move imply that the much-anticipated Bedlam series may not grace the national broadcasts in the near future, especially in football. My intention is not to undermine the achievements of Oklahoma State and its athletic department over the years. It's undeniable that they have built a commendable legacy. However, one fact remains irrefutable: the national prominence of Oklahoma State has been significantly influenced by their rivalry with Oklahoma. In the vibrant landscape of Oklahoma, football serves as the primary revenue generator for any athletic department. The magnitude of donations from major benefactors for each university is largely dictated by the success of the football team, as that's where the lion's share of the funding is allocated. A retrospective glance at the Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State football rivalry reveals an interesting pattern: the Oklahoma State athletic program received substantial financial boosts each of the 20 times they triumphed over Oklahoma, compared to the 98 instances of ties or losses (91 losses, 7 ties). Although infrequent, a victory over Oklahoma once or twice per decade had a transformative impact on the overall prosperity of the Oklahoma State athletic program. Now that Oklahoma State refuses to play Oklahoma in football because they're joining another conference, which is a horrible excuse, Oklahoma and Texas had a significant Rivalry when Texas was in the Southwest Conference, and Oklahoma was in the Big Eight. Who are they going to clash with to influence boosters to give? Colorado? Utah? Self-proclaimed national champions UCF? None of these programs will amount to what the Sooners have done for Oklahoma State. Before the passionate supporters of Oklahoma State consider criticizing me for dwelling on the past, let me clarify that this post is a direct response to you, the fans of Oklahoma State! I wouldn't have penned this if there wasn't a compelling reason to do so. Indeed, you emerged victorious in our most recent football encounter. Kudos to you. Out of 118 games, you've clinched 20. That's indeed a noteworthy achievement. Many teams haven't beaten Oklahoma that many times. It may have taken 118 tries, but you did it. Undeniably, Oklahoma State boasts a phenomenal athletic program, and it's not my intention to belittle that fact. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that the success of Oklahoma State's athletic program has been significantly shaped by its historical rivalry with Oklahoma. The essence of such a rivalry lies in the intense competition at the highest level, pushing each other towards excellence. Despite the Sooners' recent loss, their legacy over the past century would have remained intact without Oklahoma State. The question then arises: could the Pokes make a similar claim? How would the landscape of Oklahoma State athletics have evolved in the absence of their rivalry with Oklahoma?
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AuthorDawson Haywood Archives
May 2024
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