Oklahoma Sooners Football: 10 Things You Need To Know About Oklahoma State

This year's version of the Bedlam Series has more than its share of intrigue. 

Although Oklahoma is out of the national championship picture, the Sooners can still win the Big 12 and secure a Fiesta Bowl berth with another victory over the Cowboys. 

For Oklahoma State, this is arguably the most important game in program history. A decisive win over the Sooners would earn them their first Big 12 championship and a possible trip to the BCS title game. 

Considering the offensive firepower on both sides, we should be in for another shootout in Stillwater. Here is the skinny on the Pokes. 

10. They Are Hungry for a Bedlam Triumph

Oklahoma State has not beaten Oklahoma since 2002, and the Sooners have spoiled several excellent OSU regular-season campaigns in recent years. 

Considering their Bedlam drought for most of the last decade and the increasing bitterness of this rivalry, this year's contest is a golden opportunity for the Cowboys to stop the OU tide and perhaps start a streak of victories of their own over their archenemy. 

9. Stakes of Game Incredibly High

More importantly than simply ending OU's streak of victories in the series, a win for Oklahoma State would give them their first Big 12 title. It would also give the Cowboys a legitimate chance to leapfrog Alabama in the BCS standings and earn a berth in the BCS Championship.

As if the stakes aren't already lofty enough, the game also could have Heisman implications. With an impressive performance against a quality opponent in a prime-time game, OSU quarterback Brandon Weeden could earn the Heisman Trophy.

Likewise, superstar receiver Justin Blackmon could secure a second consecutive Biletnikoff Award if he performs up to expectations against the Sooners. 

8. Offense Is a True Juggernaut

Surely everyone knows this by know, but for the record, Oklahoma State boasts arguably the best offense in the country. 

Fueled by the incredibly potent combo of Weeden and Blackmon, the Cowboys have scored no less than 30 points every game this season and have eclipsed 50 points six times. 

Not only do the Pokes throw for 400 yards per game, they also have a productive rushing attack. Sophomore Joseph Randle has rushed for 1,042 yards and 21 touchdowns, no small feat considering Weeden averages over 44 passing attempts per game. 

7. Weeden Has Multiple Weapons

Surely, the OU defense will make limiting Justin Blackmon's impact a priority. However, OSU can still win without a big game from Blackmon. 

Weeden has found plenty of other targets this season, completing passes to 15 different receivers. No. 2 receiver Josh Cooper is an underrated outlet; he has has snagged 60 passes for 654 yards and three touchdowns on the season. 

Behind Cooper, Tracy Moore has 619 yards and four touchdowns so far this year. 

Clearly, the Sooner D will have its hands full with the deep and versatile Cowboy offense. 

6. Limiting Rush Game Could Be Key to Victory

OSU has seen solid production in its rushing attack overall this season. However, the few occasions in which they didn't have much success in the ground game correspond to tight scores, a relative rarity for the Pokes. 

In their only loss this season to Iowa State, the Cowboys were limited to 60 rushing yards, 100 yards below their season average. In their closest game of the year, a 30-29 squeaker over Texas A&M, the Aggies held OSU to 46 rushing yards. Finally, in their seven-point win over Kansas State, Oklahoma State only recorded 73 yards on the ground. 

An Oklahoma victory will be much more likely if the Sooners can somehow limit the OSU rush game, which will force Weeden to take more chances and help make the Cowboy offense one-dimensional.

5. Defense Is Deceptive

Naturally for a team that scores at such a high rate, the Cowboys' defense has given up a boatload of yards and points. 

Although these two categories are a popular measuring stick of a defense's caliber, they don't paint the whole picture in this case. 

OSU has forced the most turnovers in the country, averaging over three per game. Of course, forcing turnovers is crucial to success, especially in big games, and the opportunism displayed by the Pokes could make the difference Saturday against a turnover-prone OU offense. 

4. Something Has To Give in Sacking the Quarterback

D-line play will be a crucial factor in this game. It is likely that whichever team has more success harassing the opposing quarterback will win the game. 

Although Oklahoma has recorded the most sacks with 37, Oklahoma State has only given up 11 the entire season.

On the flip side, OU has given up the fewest sacks in the country with six, while OSU has a mediocre 25 takedowns this season. 

These numbers are too close to make a confident judgment about which team will have more success pressuring the quarterback, but make no mistake, pressure will be key in this contest. 

3. Time of Possession Could Be Key

OSU's quick-strike nature is embodied by their low time of possession; on average, the Cowboys control the ball for less than 28 minutes per game, 114th shortest nationally. 

Oklahoma, on the other hand, averages over 30 minutes time of possession per game. Entering the game with the mindset of simply keeping the football out of OSU's possession could be advantageous for the Sooners. Developing the run game will most likely be crucial to gaining the upper hand in this category.

2. Cowboys Have Had Problems with Running Quarterbacks

Blake Bell could see more playing time for the Sooners this week considering the Cowboys' recurring difficulties in stopping dual-threat quarterbacks. 

Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill ran for 69 yards and a touchdown against OSU. KSU's Colin Klein followed that up with an explosive performance, running for 144 yards and three touchdowns, and ISU signal-caller Jared Barnett's 84 yards helped his team come away with a huge upset. 

It will be interesting to see if the Sooner coaching staff decides to use Bell more in light of this statistical trend. 

1. Kicking Game Is Sharp

Last, but not least, special teams will probably play a key role in this game. All things considered, OSU has a slight edge. 

Kicker Quinn Sharp is 17/20 on field goals for the season. He also leads the nation in touchbacks on kickoffs with 50, which is important because field position will be key in this game. 

OU kicker Michael Hunnicutt actually has a higher field goal percentage than Sharp, but the OU kickoff game is not as solid as OSU's.