Porter Moser pushes back on Bedlam rivalry going back to home courts

Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 85-76, halting the Cowboys’ undefeated start to the season as the Sooners took Bedlam. It was the second-straight season the game was played on a neutral court.

While the public has been largely in favor of the rivalry game returning to campus, Oklahoma head coach Porter Moser pushed back against this. He was a big fan of the environment both fanbases were able to create inside the Paycom Center on Saturday.

“Awesome. I think it’s awesome,” Moser said. “Both fan bases were great. Both fan bases were energetic and cheering for their team. I joked with the guy in the front. One was Oklahoma, one was Oklahoma State. I go, lucky you’re not spouses. If you see Bears/Packers next to each other, that’s a thing and sitting right next to each other.

“Trust me, it means a lot. Both teams had great turnouts, both teams played their tails off. It was a great atmosphere. I think it’s really cool they played here at Paycom.”

With both the Sooners and Cowboys previously being in the Big 12 Conference, the rivalry series had been going back and forth to Norman and Stillwater. However, Oklahoma’s move to the SEC saw last year’s matchup moved to a neutral site in Oklahoma City, which was the case again on Saturday.

The Bedlam rivalry has been pushed to the side in sports like football. However, women’s basketball played in OKC on Saturday as well. Baseball will also play on a neutral site (Tulsa) this spring. While the rivalry is still being played in several sports, adjustments are having to be made with both teams in separate conference.

The victory improved Oklahoma to 145-106 all-time vs. the Cowboys. The Sooners have won three in a row over Oklahoma State. Additionally, the Sooners have posted a 27-18 record over the Cowboys since 2005-06, and finished with a 33-29 record over Oklahoma State while they were Big 12 opponents between 1996 and 2024.

Ironically, both of these teams will play Kansas City for their next matchups. The Sooners will take on the Roos on Tuesday in Norman before they hit the road for Stillwater to battle the Cowboys on Thursday. Neither teams will face any major competition before they start their respect conference schedules in January.

In the Bedlam series so far this season, Oklahoma State holds a 10-3 record over Oklahoma. Between Aug. 29 and Dec. 13, OSU beat OU in 10-straight matchups across various sports. Both Sooners basketball teams beat Oklahoma State on Saturday.