It’s always an important game, but this time around it’s more important for Oklahoma.

     Bedlam kicks off tomorrow afternoon in Norman. This is a game that Oklahoma is supposed to win. There’s a lot at stake for OU. If the Sooners win they head to the Big 12 championship next week in San Antonio.

     Of course what’s really important is for Bob Stoops and his coaching staff. No, there isn’t anyone suggesting that Stoops should be fired. He’s still definitely one of the top five coaches in the nation.

     But a lot of these Oklahoma fans who are still really mad at what happened at Texas Tech. Instead of talking about OSU, they’re still shouting about that loss to the Red Raiders last weekend. They still can’t figure out what happened. What they don’t realize is that Oklahoma was going to have a tough time in Lubbock even if they had Sam Bradford, without him it was going to be Mission Impossible.

     Oklahoma has lost two games this year. And it has been big favorites in both encounters. And once again it’s a double digit favorite over the Pokes. This was a team that had a path to the national championship because of its schedule. Miami wasn’t as good as its been. This isn’t one of Mack Brown’s best teams at Texas. Games against OSU and Texas A&M, were at home.

     If OU loses to the Cowboys the fans will be screaming that team has been a bunch of classic underachievers. And they will be right on. But if the Sooners go on and wins out the fans might forget about those two losses.

     This is an Oklahoma team that isn’t as good defensively as we thought it was early in the year. There have been holes in the pass coverage. This unit has been given up way too many big plays. There have been mental busts in the defensive secondary.

     Oklahoma State is really a terrific offensive team. Zac Robinson is underrated nationally. He has put some sip into the attack after Mike Gundy benched Bobby Reid earlier in the year. The Cowboys are going to score points in this one.

     But the problem for Oklahoma State is if OU doesn’t turn the ball over, the Sooners should be able to almost score at will. If Sam Bradford isn’t in a daze from that concussion, he will be finding open receivers all over the field.

     OU has two big advantages in this game. No. 1 it’s in Norman and No. 2 it has the better defensive team. I’m going with Oklahoma 41-31.