Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State: 5 Reasons Why the Cowboys Win the Big 12

Although the shot for a BCS title is essentially out of the question, there's still a lot to play for in the Bedlam Series this week—a Big 12 championship.

That being said, in addition to the conference title, there's a BCS bowl bid and bragging rights on the line as the best team in Oklahoma. To that end, here are five reasons why the Cowboys get the W.

1. Sooners' Injuries

In an article by Jake Trotter of SoonerNation on ESPN, the Sooners had lost WR Ryan Broyles for the year back in early November:

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"Broyles, the FBS record holder with 349 career receptions, suffered a torn ACL Saturday during OU's 41-17 victory over Texas A&M."

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Now although this is old news, it's relevant because Oklahoma suffered another big injury later in November. According to Mike Baldwin of The Oklahoman, Sooners DE Ronnell Lewis suffered a sprained knee:

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"Junior defensive end Ronnell Lewis (sprained knee) will be sidelined two to three weeks and will not play against Iowa State or Oklahoma State."

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All that being said, these are two of Oklahoma's best players out for The Bedlam Series. And even though the less experienced players have had time to get acclimated, it's not going to be enough in a game of this magnitude.

2. Justin Blackmon

The nation's top WR going against a defense in Oklahoma that allows an average of 246 passing yards per game. So, no matter what the Sooners try to do, they won't stop him.

Last season Blackmon caught eight balls for 105 yards and a TD, therefore expect a similar result, if not better, this time around.

His QB Brandon Weeden may be somewhat INT prone at times, but Blackmon has proven to be his best target and arguably the nation's best receiver two years in a row. Unless Oklahoma can double team him and stop him, there's no shot.

On the year Blackmon has compiled 1,241 yards on 103 receptions and scored 15 TDs, so although it's not as impressive as 2010, to almost replicate last season is quite impressive. Therefore, anticipate Blackmon dominating unless the Sooners actually do shut him down.

Which is a stretch.

3. Turnover Margin

Defensively both teams aren't that impressive. Their offenses clearly take the cake and because of both schools losing games they should not have lost, the defense gets put on the schneid.

The difference however, is that Oklahoma State is a lot better at forcing turnovers.

Currently the Pokes have two defenders (James Thomas, Brodrick Brown) with four INTs each and they rank much higher in turnover margin.

For the 2011 season Oklahoma State's turnover margin is plus-1.5 per game (ranked No. 3) compared to Oklahoma's, which is just 0.1 (ranked No. 50).

Click the link for more college football defensive stat rankings.

And in a game where there's two explosive offenses, whenever the defense steps up it will be big. Therefore, the advantage goes to the Pokes in this one.

4. Landry Jones' Slump

It most definitely hurts not having your best WR to throw to and it's clearly affected the production of Landry Jones.

Since Broyles went down in early November, the Sooners have played two games (at Baylor, vs Iowa State) and he hasn't thrown a TD pass in either game.

Now, obviously Oklahoma has reverted a bit more to the ground game, but Jones still needs to be effective in the passing game. Against Baylor he may have thrown for 447 passing yards but he also threw two INTs.

Against Iowa State, Jones threw for just 256 yards (third lowest on the season) and had one pick. Also, not only was the Baylor game the first game where Jones didn't throw a TD pass since 2009, but something else happened thereafter.

When he failed to throw a TD pass against Iowa State, it marked the first time of his career where he didn't throw a TD pass in two consecutive games. Landry Jones is currently in a slump and unless he gets out, Bedlam goes to the Pokes.

Not to mention he can't turn the ball over.

5. Pokes Motivation

See that photo, that's from the Bedlam Series game in 2002. In other words, a year that Oklahoma State fans know very well.

That was the last time the Pokes bested the Sooners and it was in Stillwater, OK. So, put the BCS, the Big 12, and every single other win aside.

Oklahoma State needs to win this game for pride. When you haven't beaten your rival in almost a decade, well, nothing else really matters. Especially when it's a rivalry game that's as big as Pokes-Sooners.

That being said, now include what's at stake (BCS, Big 12, Bedlam bragging rights) and the motivation for the Cowboys should be unreal. Oklahoma State has never won the Big 12 outright or been to a BCS bowl game.

And there's a ton of pressure since no other Oklahoma State team before them has done that. If they lose, well, they're in the same company as all those who came before.

But if they win, well, then the 2011 Pokes become arguably the best team ever in school history. With that at stake, you can bet Oklahoma State will come out of the gates fast.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27