Why the Bedlam game could be a first-team-to-50 affair

“I'm a little offended by that,” the Oklahoma State safety said wryly. “I think I should be offended.”

Then, he smiled and laughed.

“I'm kiddin'.”

He knows the score, knows that both teams have high-powered offenses, knows that points are going to be scored in Saturday's game.

Martin and Co. will try to slow the Sooners.

Travis Lewis, Jeremy Beal and the rest of the crew in Norman will try to corral the Cowboys.

But let's be honest — these offenses are going to score on these defenses. The offenses are too good, the defenses too average. Aliens are more likely to land on the 50-yard line at Boone Pickens Stadium than for one of these teams to score a shutout Saturday.

Now make no mistake, this edition of Bedlam promises to be one of the best ever. A divisional crown is on the line. A trip to the Big 12 title game is at stake.

A showdown?

Sure.

But it's going to be a shootout, too.

The Cowboy offense has garnered lots of attention under first-year offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. Rightfully so. OSU leads the nation in total offense, rolling up 552.0 yards per game.

Not even Oregon is averaging that many yards, and the Mighty Ducks been dubbed “Scoregon.”

The reason for the Cowboys' success is no secret.

“The biggest thing is they execute well and they have a lot of good playmakers,” Sooner coach Bob Stoops said. “Put the two of them together, and you have a high-powered offense.”

But while the Cowboys have been lauded for their offense, the Sooner offense hasn't been too shabby either. OU averages 470.0 yards and 36.6 points a game, both marks that rank in the top 20 nationally.