Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: OSU Athletics
Nationally Known, Bedlam Still Resonates Locally
November 18, 2020 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER- More often than not in recent years, the Bedlam matchup between Oklahoma State and Oklahoma has had a significant impact on the Big 12 title race. It has grown in stature nationally to the point that ESPN's popular College Game Day show has originated from Bedlam six times since 2003 and will do so again on Saturday.
With both the Cowboys and the Sooners in the mix for the Big 12 Championship Game and OSU also carrying College Football Playoff aspirations, Saturday's game carries significant implications on the national landscape.
For several players in the game, however, the game also hits close to home.
OSU center Ry Schneider grew up 35 miles west of Norman in Minco, Oklahoma, a town with a population of about 1,600. Despite the proximity to the OU campus, he was loyal to the Cowboys.
"There were more OU fans than OSU," he said. "So for me to go for OSU with (OU's) record against us, it was hard. The wins we did have were great though."
Now a player in the game he grew up watching, Schneider said he tries not to get caught up in the rivalry and encourages his teammates to do the same.
"Personally I think if you get caught up in it, then you don't perform to your best," he said. "You have to attack it like it's a normal game against a great opponent and try to bring your best game."
Receiver Dillon Stoner was raised in football hotbed Jenks, Oklahoma, which is a little more than an hour east of Stillwater.
"This means a lot to me being born and raised in Oklahoma," Stoner said. "My mom went here so I grew up an OSU fan. In Jenks it's really 50/50. There's always a lot of anticipation and excitement for this game. It's really hard to put into words."
The question was presented to Stoner about how the Sooners have won each of the last five in the series.
"I am not going to lie, I have thought about those games," Stoner said. "I don't like to live in the past. That's just something that adds more to me and the guys who have been around for a while."
So what does that mean for Saturday?
"We're prepared and ready," Stoner said. "We know we just have to take care of the little things and hopefully we come out on top."
With both the Cowboys and the Sooners in the mix for the Big 12 Championship Game and OSU also carrying College Football Playoff aspirations, Saturday's game carries significant implications on the national landscape.
For several players in the game, however, the game also hits close to home.
OSU center Ry Schneider grew up 35 miles west of Norman in Minco, Oklahoma, a town with a population of about 1,600. Despite the proximity to the OU campus, he was loyal to the Cowboys.
"There were more OU fans than OSU," he said. "So for me to go for OSU with (OU's) record against us, it was hard. The wins we did have were great though."
Now a player in the game he grew up watching, Schneider said he tries not to get caught up in the rivalry and encourages his teammates to do the same.
"Personally I think if you get caught up in it, then you don't perform to your best," he said. "You have to attack it like it's a normal game against a great opponent and try to bring your best game."
Receiver Dillon Stoner was raised in football hotbed Jenks, Oklahoma, which is a little more than an hour east of Stillwater.
"This means a lot to me being born and raised in Oklahoma," Stoner said. "My mom went here so I grew up an OSU fan. In Jenks it's really 50/50. There's always a lot of anticipation and excitement for this game. It's really hard to put into words."
The question was presented to Stoner about how the Sooners have won each of the last five in the series.
"I am not going to lie, I have thought about those games," Stoner said. "I don't like to live in the past. That's just something that adds more to me and the guys who have been around for a while."
So what does that mean for Saturday?
"We're prepared and ready," Stoner said. "We know we just have to take care of the little things and hopefully we come out on top."
Players Mentioned
OL
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