Bedlam by any other name.

Is it just me, or are Bedlam games played in Stillwater more exciting?  40 combined points, 4 touchdowns and over 400 yards of total offense!!  That would be a stat line from a typical, slow grinding slugfest, except that all this happened in the 4th quarter!!  I guess this is what we've come to expect of Bedlam in Stillwater.  Don't leave your seats because you never know what you might miss.  And what would Bedlam be if some of these games didn't go down to the wire??  For the sake of filling my page with material, I'll list down some memorable moments.

1. 2000:  Derrick Strait deflects a pass in the end zone that was intended for Marcellus Rivers.  OU hangs on to win and blah blah blah yada yada.............
2. 2002:  Coming off a 2001 stunner in Norman, Oklahoma State, led by Rashaun Woods (13 catches, 200 + yards 3TDs) build an early lead, forcing OU to play from behind.  The final score was 38-28, but in reality, the game wasn't even that close.  What makes this exciting was how Woods and Josh Fields combined to torch a highly rated OU secondary.
3. 2004:  Jason Ricks' field goal attempt to send the game into overtime goes wide left and OU survives 38-35 after quite an interesting second half.
4. 2006:  Another close game comes down to the last play.  Zac Robinson's desperation throw into the end zone is tipped by OU cornerback Lendy Holmes and barely misses D'Juan Woods' outstretched hands.
5. 2008:  With spread offenses now the norm, both teams combine for 39 points in a wild 4th quarter.

The 2010 edition didn't disappoint at all.  Oklahoma State fans might see it differently, but we can all agree that we saw a very good game.  Broderick Brown jumping to bat the ball back inbounds where it was picked off by Shaun Lewis had to be the Play Of The Game, bar none.  How often do you ever see someone do that!!  In my opinion (not that it really matters), it has to be one of the the Plays Of The Year, maybe even ESPY worthy.

If you really want to see where this game was won or lost, you need to look at the stat sheet.  That explains how Oklahoma, playing on the road where they have struggled lately, was able to put a full game together and beat a red-hot Oklahoma State team that had a lot going for them.  Could there a better way for Oklahoma State to send off their senior class than beating their hated rival?  And getting to dance all over their body because the Big 12 South Crown came with the win?  Talk about a grand finale.

Back to the stat sheet, before I get derailed.  You'll notice that Oklahoma had the ball 11 minutes longer, converted more 3rd downs (16, while OSU attempted only 15 all game) and more importantly, held Kendall Hunter to only 55 yards rushing.  OSU was also held to about 200 + yards below their usual offensive output while running only 66 plays compared to OU's 107.  To sum it up, the nation's best offense was kept on the sideline; they can't beat you if they are not on the field, right?  It just goes to show that even in the big games, despite all the explosive and incredible plays, it usually comes down to executing the little things.

For what it's worth, Bedlam will be in Stillwater for the second year in a row and hopefully, it will be just as exciting as this one.