The decision to end OU vs. OSU was made in Stillwater
The biggest pile of horse hockey to be dumped on Oklahoma this week was Mike Gundy’s poo that Bedlam is ending because the Sooners are leaving the Big 12 conference for more money.
Mike Gundy wrote down his thoughts about Bedlam (RIP) and shared them with media this afternoon:
“Bedlam is history … because OU chose to follow Texas and the money to the SEC. It’s OK. … We’re having childish discussions, in my opinion, over something that’s done.” pic.twitter.com/V2jOAh3Xg2
— Kelly Hines (@KellyHinesTW) September 20, 2022
“What’s going on now is almost a situation with a husband and a wife, or a girlfriend and a boyfriend when you know you’re dead wrong and you try to turn the table and make them think they’re wrong, when Oklahoma State has no part in this,” Gundy said.
Let’s be honest, Mike. Bedlam is ending because Gundy and his Copokes (yes, I spelled that right) in Stillwater don’t want to face a tough opponent in their non-conference football schedule.
And Oklahoma is too tough for them.
Sure, when OU announced they were jumping ship for the Southeastern conference, some Oklahoma State muckity mucks, along with other Big 12 members were upset. They said they were deceived because OU and UT didn’t announce they were secretly planning an escape.
Imagine Andy Dufresne telling the guards in advance he was about to crawl through the sewer on his way to the Zihuatanejo beach.
But after all that feeling of hurt was expurgated from their bowels, the powers that be in Stillwater were teetering with delight that the Cowboys’ role as little brother in football would be coming to an end.
Big brother is leaving the house.
Little brother plans on moving into their room.
Who has ever been unhappy about that?
This week’s headlines stirred up the Bedlam talk when a story quoting the OU and OSU athletic directors appeared to make it everything but official: Bedlam is dead.
So, Gundy, who likes to take a soap box ever since he turned 40 (again and again), was itching to make a statement. He even brought written notes.
Gundy told reporters (or read from his prepared statement) it was OK for OU to place money over Bedlam. He told them it was over because OU chose “to follow Texas.”
(Nice little jab there, Mikey).
Gundy suggested Bedlam can’t keep being played because Oklahoma and Oklahoma State would no longer be in the same conference.
He said people were having “childish discussions” about it.
This is like Donald Trump giving a speech critical of political divisiveness.
The only thing childish is Gundy again engaging in performative art to poorly argue that OSU is the victim in all this and the loss of Bedlam is Oklahoma’s fault.
Meanwhile, the Sooners have been very clear on this topic: they still wanted to play Bedlam. But the Pokes said no.
“Oklahoma State has shown no interest to schedule any future games in football, so we’re moving on (with filling OU’s future nonconference openings),” OU AD Joe Castiglione said.
Hear that? It was OSU’s choice.
Now, if anyone thinks it is impossible for OSU to schedule a non-conference game with Oklahoma each year because of “logistics”, why would those issues be more difficult for Oklahoma State than they would be for Oklahoma? Both teams schedule far in advance.
Sure, it might not be easy. Castiglione admitted such. But, are we really going to argue “logistics” and scheduling restrictions after the 2020 season, which found college teams playing each other with a mere three days notice?
Gundy is full of baloney.
Fact: Until 1958 the Sooners and the Cowboys (Aggies) were not in the same conference. But they played 52 times.
I wish he would just be honest about it, instead of his fake whining, or using this as an opportunity to try to besmirch the rival he has been unable to consistently conquer on the football field.
Fact: Until 1958 the Sooners and the Cowboys (Aggies) were not in the same conference.
But they played 52 times.
Why? Because they are in the same state.
And therein lies the benefit of Bedlam. It pits husbands versus wives. Brothers versus brothers. Neighbors versus neighbors.
It is good theater. It is fun theater. It is college football.
When it is over do not blame Oklahoma for leaving the conference.
Blame Oklahoma State for being happy about it.
But then, the Pokes will be getting one extra win from it. Over Central Michigan.
— Mike
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