Oklahoma State’s head coach, Mike Gundy, is stirring the pot with a fresh proposition: why not bring the storied rivalry between the Cowboys and the Oklahoma Sooners to life each spring? In a chat with the press just ahead of spring practice, Gundy floated this intriguing idea.
His pitch? Host two consecutive weekend games — one in Stillwater and the other in Norman. Tickets could be priced at $25, with proceeds bolstering each school’s NIL funds. If playing two games feels like overkill, Gundy suggests a compromise: a single annual game, alternating venues, with the revenue split evenly.
“We’re sick of just playing against ourselves,” Gundy explained. “Now, I don’t know Brent Venables’ take on it, but I wouldn’t make it a full-contact game because of injury risks. Nobody does live scrimmages now; it’s more like a ‘thud’ practice, similar to the NFL. We’re leaning towards that style, so why not embrace it?”
The Bedlam rivalry has a rich history, with 118 head-to-heads between 1904 and 2023. However, since Oklahoma transitioned to the SEC, leaving the Big 12 behind, there’s been a pause with no current plans for future regular-season clashes. Chad Weiberg, Oklahoma State’s athletic director, cites logistical challenges after Oklahoma’s departure as a major hurdle.
Still, Bedlam isn’t entirely gone. Just last December, the two schools clashed on the basketball court, with Oklahoma clinching an 80-65 win.
Oklahoma’s athletic director, Joe Castiglione, is optimistic. “Chad and I have had great talks about keeping Bedlam alive in various sports. We haven’t nailed down dates yet, but we’re having those conversations. Eventually, I believe we’ll find mutually agreeable football dates. It’s a work in progress.”
Gundy’s plan might accelerate these discussions.
It’s not just Oklahoma that sees the appeal. Over in Colorado, Coach Deion Sanders is championing a similar cause, suggesting the Buffaloes could host a spring game. His comments have sparked interest, with Syracuse Coach Fran Brown expressing his support. Together, they’re pushing for an NCAA exemption to allow intercollegiate spring games, a topic up for consideration by the NCAA Division I FBS Oversight Committee on April 10.
While marquee programs like Texas, USC, and Nebraska have opted out of spring games this year, Sanders is pushing for a grander tradition. Yet, some coaches worry these games might become showcases for rival teams to scout potential transfers when the portal reopens on April 16. Sanders isn’t buying that argument and isn’t alone in his skepticism.
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney remarked, “Tampering will happen regardless of spring games. Canceling isn’t the solution; we need to tackle the real issue.”
In lieu of a spring game, Oklahoma’s hosting a “Crimson Combine” on April 12 — a player showcase with combine-style drills.
Craig Bohl, president of the American Football Coaches Association, believes inter-team spring scrimmages could be on the horizon. “If a few programs start this trend, it might catch on,” he said, noting significant interest in this concept.
As spring approaches, who knows? We might just see this new tradition unfold.
