Oklahoma State and the BCS: Will the Pokes Break Down in Bedlam Game Again?

Not since 2002 have the Oklahoma State Cowboys defeated the Oklahoma Sooners, and after last season's 47-41 shootout loss, it had been the second straight game of the series since 1997 where the Pokes were ranked higher than the Sooners heading in.

That is until 2011, where with great anticipation we can expect the Cowboys to be as high as No. 2 when they host the residents of Norman in Stillwater, OK., on Dec. 3.

Soon it's going to be three straight years.

The million-dollar question, however, regardless of what's at stake, is will the Pokes fall again to Oklahoma, which has prevented Oklahoma State from previous Big 12 titles and national title shots?

Perhaps 2003 was the catalyst of the 21st century, where Oklahoma State went into Norman with a 7-1 record and ranked No. 14. Long story short, the Sooners dominated and won 52-9, and the Cowboys finished just 9-4 after such a great start.

Other seasons have proven to be more of the same, such as 2004, 2008, 2009, and 2010. In '04 the Pokes were 6-1 and ranked No. 20 to Oklahoma's No. 2. The Sooners won again, with a whirlwind of losses following thereafter for OK. State.

Fast-forward to 2008 and 2009. Oklahoma State was 9-2 heading into the Oklahoma game and ranked No. 11 ('08) and No. 12 ('09), respectively.

Needless to say, the Sooners not only won both, but were actually unranked and the underdogs in 2009 for their 27-0 shutout of Oklahoma. Last season, had Oklahoma State won, they would have competed in their first Big 12 title game and earned a trip to the BCS.

For Pokes fans, 2011 has obviously been one entertaining season. The offense is arguably better than any other offense in recent memory, the defense is playing good enough to slow opposing offenses, and they're currently undefeated.

And we can argue that numbers and records don't mean anything when heading into a rivalry game, or even the "eye test," which some value more than others, but this Oklahoma team has a much different attitude than the previous ones who were bested by the Sooners.

They've played with more tenacity and attitude, and perhaps the Texas A&M game can sum of the 2011 Pokes in a nutshell.

At halftime, Oklahoma State was down 20-3 in College Station, but rallied to score 27 unanswered points and ultimately won 30-29. What's arguably just as impressive, if not more, however, is that they didn't have a hangover loss against Kansas, at Texas, or at Missouri.

The Sooners, though, only beat a mediocre/overrated Florida State team 23-13 in Tallahassee, and they choked at home against Texas Tech. Therefore, Oklahoma not only has been exploited, they've proven more vulnerable, whereas the Cowboys continue to roll over opponents.

Also, what happens between now and kickoff against the Sooners for the Cowboys should be irrelevant. Because even if they slip up once before, the Big 12 title is still on the line, as is getting a win over Oklahoma for the first time since 2002.

When thinking of big brother-little brother college football rivalries, Oklahoma-Oklahoma State definitely fits that bill more than Michigan-Michigan State or Florida-Florida State, because of the Sooners' dominance.

However, all that changes this season. Not only will Oklahoma State not slip up against the Sooners, they'll run the table en route to a shot at the national title.

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

You can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.