Once again, line play will be crucial in Bedlam
Last year, Oklahoma State's offensive line was unable to handle Gerald McCoy in the Bedlam game. But with McCoy gone and OSU's offensive line excelling, this year could be different.
STILLWATER — Much like a year ago, Bedlam will be decided in the trenches.
When Oklahoma State hosts Oklahoma on Saturday, the Cowboys' offensive line, which has been the key to a 10-1 season, will be in the spotlight.
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A quick look at OSU's most likely bowl destinations
The Fiesta Bowl as Big 12 Champions
An OSU win in Bedlam followed by a victory in the Big 12 title game would send Oklahoma State to the Fiesta Bowl with its first-ever BCS berth.
Potential opponents: Big East champion (Pittsburgh, UConn, West Virginia)
Cotton Bowl
If the Cowboys lose Bedlam, Dallas seems their likely destination. However, there's a chance if Texas A&M defeats Texas the Cotton Bowl decides to take the Aggies instead.
Potential opponents: SEC No. 3, 4 or 5 (South Carolina, Alabama, LSU, Arkansas)
Alamo Bowl
If the Cowboys win Bedlam then lose Big 12 title game, the Alamo Bowl appears to be their likely destination. A Bedlam win would result in a Big 12 title game appearance, meaning the Pokes would play their final regular-season game in Cowboys Stadium. If they lose, it doesn't make sense for the Cotton Bowl to take the Cowboys and expect OSU fans to make a return trip to the place where they saw OSU's BCS hopes dashed just weeks earlier in the Big 12 title game.
Potential opponents: Pac 10 No. 2 (Stanford, Arizona)
In 2009, Sooner defensive tackle Gerald McCoy showed why he eventually became the No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
“Gerald McCoy was a big-time issue for us (last year),†OSU coach Mike Gundy said. “We had concerns about that going in, and they turned out to be true.â€
Some Cowboy fans are convinced a switch from Zac Robinson to Brandon Weeden could have changed the outcome. But the way McCoy dominated that afternoon would have limited the Cowboys' offense from having any success regardless of who was taking the snaps.
OSU, featuring an offense built around a highly successful running game, averaged 2.14 yards and gained just 62 yards rushing in last year's Bedlam game. Failing to have any success on the ground, the Pokes finished with 109 total yards, averaging 2.1 yards per play.
“I don't think there's any question that everybody would admit Gerald McCoy was pretty special,†Gundy said.
And he's no longer in a Sooner uniform, which means the tide might change this season.
The Cowboys feature arguably the best offensive line in the Big 12. And OU is without McCoy, who now plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and senior defensive tackle Adrian Taylor, who was lost for the season due to an injury on Nov. 13 against Texas Tech.
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