By Michael Kinney
Another sign that football is right around the corner was last week’s annual Big 12 Media Days. Held in Arlington (TX.), each conference member brought their head coach and four players to talk to the assembled about the upcoming 2023 season.
While this is always an interesting event because it signifies football is close, this year had an added meaning. Because this will be the final run for Oklahoma and Texas, much of the attention is focused on that.
That included what may be the final Bedlam matchup between Oklahoma and State. It was Pokes’ coach Mike Gundy who got the conversation started on Day 1 (July 12) when he expressed his disappointment with the potential end to the rivalry and put the blame on the Sooners’ shoulders.
“The Bedlam game is over because Oklahoma chose to leave the Big 12. Period,” Gundy said. “Do I like that? No. Do I like that conferences have broken up in the past? No, I don’t. But I also know that we have to control what we can control, which is conference realignment is there. It’s probably still going on. Wherever we all end up and whatever schedule they give us to play, we go play it and do the best we can.”
However, despite the disappointment, Gundy made it clear they are moving forward and will not be dictated to by their in-state rival. According to Gundy, OSU’s schedule is completely filled through 2037.
“Oklahoma State’s not going to change what we do because Oklahoma chose to go to the SEC,” Gundy said. “They need to change what they do because they’re the ones that made their minds up to go to the SEC.”
Because the Sooners allotted time at media days didn’t begin until Day 2, coach Brent Venables had a little time to think of a response to the Bedlam question he knew would be coming.
“I’m not in control of whether or not we play Oklahoma State,” Venables said. “I love college football. I love the traditions of the game. I love rivalry games. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have played for over 100 years and Oklahoma has been dang good in those games for a long time. But whether or not we’re playing in the future, nobody’s asking me what I think. If they do ask me, I’ll tell them what I think. I’d love to play the game. But, we’re going to play the schedule that they put in front of us.”
This season’s Bedlam is set for Nov. 4 in Stillwater. It may be the last for the foreseeable future with the Sooners holding a 91-19-7 advantage.
Yet, While fans may miss the annual rivalry, Gundy hinted times have changed for the players. They do not come at the game in the same manner as past generations did.
“The Bedlam game has changed,” Gundy said. “These players, they all know each other now, like they talk on social media. When I played, I didn’t even want to talk to people from OU. We just weren’t friends. Now these guys are buddies.”
IG: mkinneymedia
Twitter: MKinneyMedia
Youtube: Michael Kinney Media
Photos: Michael Kinney
Threads: MKinneyMedia