Bedlam is OSU's No. 1 game. Beware of fibs before game No. 2
Published: 8/16/2012 7:07 PM
Last Modified: 8/16/2012 7:07 PM
From most interesting to least interesting: A ranking of Oklahoma State’s games during the 2012 football season.
1, Nov. 24 at Oklahoma. Bedlam, barring incredibly weird circumstances, will always be atop the list. The annual question is which game will be No. 2 and this year that distinction belongs to a newcomer.
2, Nov. 10 vs. West Virginia. The biggest fibs told in college football this year -- or at least the biggest fibs told by someone other than Lane “I will not vote my team No. 1” Kiffin -- will come in the days leading up to this game.
The OSU crew and the West Virginia crew will try to say this is just another game, never mind that Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen is a former Cowboy offensive coordinator. Players will be instructed to say that, too. Don’t believe it when they say it. Both coaching staffs would sacrifice a non-essential internal organ to win this game. Bet your gall bladder on it, or at least a night at the Stillwater Residence Inn.
3, Oct. 29 vs. Texas. OSU had beaten Texas just twice -- ever -- before sweeping the Longhorns the last two seasons. Moreso, the Cowboys made it look easy. Because the Horns have done virtually zilch since Colt McCoy departed, this is actually a bigger game for them than it is for the Pokes.
4, Sept. 9 at Arizona. The Wildcats certainly aren’t the fourth-best opponent the Cowboys will face this season. But Wes Lunt’s first road game -- and first game against a legit opponent -- should provide a hint as to how he might fare when Big 12 competition arrives.
5, Nov. 2 at Kansas State. Collin Klein and company pushed OSU to the limit in Stillwater last season. The Wildcats might be as good as anyone in the Big 12 during a parity-stricken 2012 season.
6, Dec. 1 at Baylor. Because of the new “normal,” Bedlam is no longer the last game of the regular season. Bowl destinations could be at stake when the Cowboys and Bears joust in Waco.
7, Oct. 27 vs. TCU. The Horned Frogs will try to determine where they fit into the Big 12 pecking order during their inaugural run through the league. If you’re the Cowboys, you want to immediately establish that you rank higher in the food chain -- or risk having it used against you in recruiting.
8, Oct. 20 vs. Iowa State. Yes, because Iowa State spoiled OSU’s unbeaten season and BCS title game aspirations last season, you could argue this game deserves to be higher on the list. But toss out the revenge motive and it’s just another game the Cowboys should win.
9, Sept. 15 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette: Last season, the Cajuns won a bowl game for the first time since 1944. They’ve been a pesky opponent for the Cowboys in the past and they could be again.
10, Nov. 17 vs. Texas Tech. That’s right. I picked the Louisiana-Lafayette game over the Texas Tech game. You would too if you were on hand to see the Red Raiders show so little backbone as to get themselves handed a 60-point beating by the Cowboys in Lubbock last season.
11, Oct. 13 at Kansas. OSU run-ruled KU last season. Unless Charlie Weis is bringing Tom Brady with him, there’s no reason to believe the Jayhawks are all of a sudden threat-worthy.
12, Sept. 1 vs. Savannah State. This is a perfect ease-into-college-football game for Lunt. It’s essentially a scrimmage. Savannah State is an FCS team which won one game last season. No disrespect intended, but Gundy’s biggest problem in the opener might be deciding this: Call off the dogs early? Or keep starters in to get them ready for a trip to Arizona?
Written by
Jimmie Tramel
Sports Writer
