If the Oklahoma State football program is destined to become what it aspires to become — a legitimate contender for Big 12 and national titles — occasional victories over Texas and arch-rival Oklahoma are absolutely necessary.

Entering Saturday's Bedlam showdown in Norman, where Oklahoma State fans will be outnumbered by OU fans by a count of 80,000 to 4,000, the Cowboy scenario is clearly defined.

With a Bedlam victory, the 11th-ranked Cowboys have a chance to virtually secure their first appearance in a Bowl Championship Series game — the Jan. 4 Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz.

"We're not going to expect to be favored down there," said Cowboy senior linebacker Andre Sexton, who makes his 50th career start. "We know they're going to get the respect because of what they've done in the past.

"We need to take that next step toward gaining that respect by beating them this year."

With OSU quarterback Zac Robinson expected to start after missing last week's Colorado victory with a bruised shoulder, the Cowboys (9-2 overall, 6-1 Big 12) and Sooners (6-5, 4-3) collide in an 11:30 a.m. regular-season finale televised nationally by Fox Sports Net.

For only the third time in 104 Bedlam games, a nationally ranked Cowboy team faces an unranked OU team.

Since 2006, the Cowboys are 10-2 against the Big 12 North and a combined 8-4 against Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Baylor. But against Texas and OU, Mike Gundy-coached Cowboy teams are 0-9.

OSU consistently wins games — and just as consistently loses in the biggest games. Since beating OU in 2001 and 2002, the Cowboys are 0-6 against their archrival.

In their last three appearances at OU's Memorial Stadium, the Cowboys were rocked 52-9 (2003), 42-14 (2005) and 49-17 (2007). In home games, the Bob Stoops-coached Sooners are 65-2. During the Stoops era, the 2001 Cowboys are the only Big 12 team to have won in Norman.

"How long has coach Stoops been there? Eleven years? They've been pretty good. That's one reason why it's a pretty tough place to play," said Gundy, who during his childhood years in Midwest City would attend OU home games with his father.

The Cowboys believe they can win at OU for three reasons: a ball-control ground game, an improved defense and recent road success.

With Keith Toston having run for 1,130 yards, the Cowboys lead the Big 12 in rushing for the fourth consecutive season. Until they self-destructed with turnovers, the Cowboys ran effectively even against Texas.

During its six-game victory streak over the Cowboys, OU has averaged 262 rushing yards. The OSU defense, now coordinated by Bill Young, has gone from dysfunctional to dynamic. The Cowboys are fourth nationally against the run and 31st in total defense. OSU hasn't allowed any opposing running back to gain more than 87 rushing yards.

"Stats are not important," Young says. "Winning games is more important. This will be a real hostile environment. We'll have to be ready to play."

OSU has learned to win on the road. The Cowboys are 7-3 in their last 10 true road games. For the first time since 1979, they have recorded four consecutive conference road wins. This season, they are 3-0 on the road. With a win at OU, OSU would savor its first perfect road season since 1945.

"I enjoy playing on the road," OSU senior center Andrew Lewis said. "When you score a touchdown, I enjoy it when the crowd goes silent."

OSU's 2009 senior class has recorded 32 victories. The school record is 34, shared by the seniors of 1987 and the seniors of 1988. With two more wins, the '09 Cowboy seniors would earn membership in that exclusive club.

"We don't want to leave here (without a Bedlam victory)," Sexton said. "It's going to be a dogfight, and I think this time, it's going to be our chance to find a way to win."

NO. 11 OKLAHOMA STATE AT OKLAHOMA

Memorial Stadium, Norman

TV: FSOK-27

Radio: OU broadcast: KMOD fm97.5, KTBZ am1430; OSU broadcast: KFAQ am1170, KRVT am1270

Weather: It is expected to be partly cloudy and breezy, but temperatures should remain in the 60s throughout the game.

Records: OSU 9-2, 6-1 Big 12; OU 6-5, 4-3 Big 12

Last meeting: 2008, OU, 61-41.

Series: Oklahoma leads 80-16-7.