Bring Back Bedlam? Morris Says He’s Open To It In Oklahoma State Introduction

The Bedlam Series, the rivalry between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State University Cowboys, has been a cornerstone of college athletics in the Sooner State for over a century.

Named for the chaotic energy of the games, Bedlam encompasses various sports but is most synonymous with football, where the two programs have clashed 119 times since 1904, with OU holding a 91-19-7 lead.

The rivalry’s intensity stems from in state pride and the sheer unpredictability, Oklahoma State has pulled off memorable upsets, like their 2021 victory that derailed OU’s playoff hopes. However, the football edition of Bedlam has been on a hiatus since the 2023 season, leaving fans wondering if it will ever return.

In 2021, OU announced its departure from the Big 12 Conference to join the Southeastern Conference (SEC), effective in 2024. OSU remained in the Big 12, creating a logistical divide. With the schools no longer in the same league, the annual matchup lost its automatic slot on the schedule. The last game, played on November 4, 2023, saw OSU triumph 27-24 in Stillwater, a fittingly dramatic send-off. 

As of late 2025, there’s no immediate timeline for Bedlam’s return. The series has been dormant for two years, and both programs are navigating new realities. OU is adjusting to the SEC’s schedule, while Oklahoma State, under new head coach Eric Morris, is rebuilding after a disappointing 2025 season.

Let’s look at how Bedlam could be revived —

First and foremost, both universities’ athletic directors, presidents, and coaches must align on the value of resuming the series. Historically, tensions have played a role, the Cowboys felt slighted by OU’s Big 12 exit. With Mike Gundy’s departure and Eric Morris now at the helm for the Cowboys, there’s now optimism. Morris has openly welcomed Bedlam’s return “with open arms” and expressed eagerness to get someone on the phone to make it happen.

College football teams play 12 regular-season games, typically including 8-9 conference matchups and 3-4 non-conference games. The Big 12 mandates 9 conference games, while the SEC currently requires 8, but rumors suggest the SEC could expand to 9 as early as 2026, further squeezing non-conference slots.

This means canceling or renegotiating existing non-conference commitments. OU has games lined up against teams like Temple, Maine, and Michigan through 2030, while Oklahoma State faces Arkansas, Oregon, and Alabama. Carving out space would require flexibility, possibly buying out lesser opponents.

The SEC’s potential move to a 9-game conference slate is a major obstacle, as it would limit OU to just three non-conference games, often reserved for easier wins to pad playoff resumes. If the SEC sticks with 8, revival becomes more plausible. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark has expressed support for preserving rivalries, which could help Oklahoma State’s case.

Bedlam draws massive TV ratings, with networks like ESPN and Fox eager for high-stakes games. A renewed series could command premium broadcast slots and boost ticket sales, merchandise, and donations. However, OU’s SEC media deal (worth over $50 million annually per school) prioritizes conference games, so any Bedlam revival would need to demonstrate clear financial upside, perhaps through a multi-year contract with revenue guarantees.

While the timeline remains unclear, experts predict it could stay dormant for “quite some time”, recent developments offer glimmers of hope. Coach Morris’s enthusiasm today, combined with broader calls to protect historic rivalries in an era of super conferences, suggests Bedlam isn’t dead forever. If both schools prioritize tradition over convenience, we could see the Cowboys and Sooners clashing again by the late 2020s.

Time will tell, but I believe there is a long way to go before we see Bedlam in either Stillwater or Norman. It is much more likely we see Bedlam in the form of a bowl game, which would make it even more exciting.