Fans recognize series' uniqueness, but OU supporters focus hate on 'Horns
BEDLAM: What's the significance for the fans?

By Jenni Carlson

Published: November 24, 2006

Oklahoma and Oklahoma State fans disagree about how big the Bedlam rivalry is.

Like that's a surprise.

As with most things in Bedlam, there's a divide between the Sooner Nation and the OSU Family when it comes to the rivalry's significance.

"We feel that Texas is by far our biggest rival because Texas is typically a much better team than OSU," OU fan Heath Taylor said, expressing an opinion shared by most OU fans who responded to an Internet survey by The Oklahoman. "While there is dislike between OU and OSU, I don't think the hatred for OSU is as intense as it is for Texas."

The orange-tinted view? "As my shirt proclaims: Sooner by birth. Cowboy by the grace of God,'" OSU fan Beth Worstine said. "Enough said."

Regardless of the rivalry's standing in the pecking orders, fans on both sides realize its uniqueness.

"For years it was generally accepted that OU was the dominant school," said Pat Lovell, an OU grad but OSU backer. "That never has meant, however, that the outcome of the game was a given. There have been games that were thrilling, epic, even historic."

Sooner fan Mike Newkham said, "What makes this great is that it is an in-house fight."

As a transplanted Oklahoman who moved from Pennsylvania in the 1970s and brought his Penn State allegiance, Jerry Wagner recognizes how special Bedlam is.

"This is the type of game Penn State does not have," Wagner said.

"They try to make Michigan State a rival, but it is not. There is a passion and excitement for this game that I wish Penn State football would have."

Regardless of where the rivalry ranks, both teams have much to gain this year, and their fans know it.

"It will help decide where the teams go bowling," said Dean Updegraff, a professor in OU's chemistry department. "If the Sooners win, they could come up enough in the polls to maybe go to a BCS bowl."