Breaking down how both the Oklahoma-Oklahoma State and Oklahoma-Nebraska series could return
This week on The Jones Report, hosts Tyler Jones, publisher of Sooners Roundtable, and Thomas Bridges, editor of OkState Roundtable, dive deep into the hottest topics shaking up the Big 12 and SEC landscapes. From in-state rivalries to conference realignment echoes and scheduling challenges, the episode delivers sharp analysis on what matters most to fans of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State football.
In a surprising development making waves across Oklahoma, the mayors of Norman and Stillwater—Stephen Tyler Holman and Will Joyce—have teamed up to advocate for the return of the Bedlam Series as an annual football showdown. The two leaders co-authored a symbolic proposal, framed around economic development benefits for their communities, that would mandate the University of Oklahoma (OU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU) to play a non-conference game every year on a home-and-home basis.
The Bedlam rivalry, one of the fiercest in-state battles in college football, went dormant after the 2023 matchup following OU's move to the SEC in 2024. The mayors' initiative highlights the significant economic boost these games provide through fan travel, hotel stays, local business surges, and community excitement. While the proposal isn't binding legislation yet—it emerged from discussions at the Oklahoma Municipal League Congress of Mayors and gained unanimous support in mock form—it has sparked serious conversation.
OU has expressed openness to exploring the rivalry's return, though scheduling conflicts remain a major hurdle, with potential openings not until later in the decade.
Amid the Bedlam buzz, Tyler Jones offers a thoughtful proposal to address not just the OU-OSU matchup but also the storied Oklahoma-Nebraska series. With the SEC shifting to a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2026—featuring three annual opponents and six rotating ones—non-conference slots become even scarcer and more precious. The Sooners now face one of the nation's toughest slates annually, making it impractical to lock in perennial games against both Oklahoma State and Nebraska.
Jones suggests reserving the Thanksgiving weekend rivalry slot for a rotation between the Cowboys and the Cornhuskers. This alternating format would ensure four-year players experience each opponent twice—once at home and once away—keeping both historic rivalries vibrant without overloading OU's schedule.
The Oklahoma-Nebraska rivalry holds special nostalgia for longtime Sooners fans, dating back decades of memorable clashes. The teams last met in a non-conference game in 2022, and reviving it periodically would honor that legacy while allowing flexibility.
In off-years from these matchups, both OSU and Nebraska could pursue games against other regional rivals. For Oklahoma State, that might mean renewing ties with former Big 12/SEC foes like Texas A&M or Arkansas. Nebraska could target matchups with old conference mates such as Colorado or Missouri, preserving competitive balance and fan interest.
Adding to the intrigue, new Oklahoma athletics director Roger Denny officially begins his tenure this week. Succeeding the long-serving Joe Castiglione, Denny inherits a program navigating the complexities of SEC life, NIL developments, and fan expectations.
One of his immediate priorities will likely involve exploring ways to restore classic rivalries like Bedlam and Nebraska—balancing tradition with the demands of modern scheduling and conference commitments.
These discussions underscore the tension between preserving beloved rivalries and adapting to evolving conference realities. Whether through mayoral advocacy, creative rotation ideas, or strategic leadership from Denny, the future of these matchups could shape the identity of Oklahoma football for years to come.
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