Sparked by a piece of legislation by the Norman and Stillwater mayors that seemed to not really matter, Bedlam football might actually start its return in Oklahoma.
Norman mayor Stephen Tyler Holman announced Tuesday during a city council meeting that he and Stillwater mayor Will Joyce co-authored a piece of legislation that would make it a state law for Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to play in football every year by using economic development as the reason for the home-and-home series. Prompted by that news, OU Daily, OU's student newspaper, reached out to the university and received a statement from OU that revealed serious interest from the Sooners in reviving the storied rivalry that ended in 2023 with the Sooners' move from the Big 12 to the SEC.
OU signals serious interest in reviving Bedlam football rivalry with Oklahoma State
"The idea of bringing back Bedlam football is always welcome and we're ready to explore the possibility with Oklahoma State officials again," OU said in its statement to OU Daily. "Our broader partnership with OSU would only be enriched by the reintroduction of our storied football rivalry."
OU said it is "ready to explore" the return of Bedlam after a bill was proposed by Norman and Stillwater mayors that would bring back the football rivalry.#Sooners #Cowboys #Oklahoma pic.twitter.com/8aw1GtzbGF
— OU Daily (@OUDaily) February 11, 2026
This wouldn't be the first time OU reportedly reached out to OSU to get Bedlam back on the football schedule, though. Outgoing OU athletic directorJoe Castiglione told Tulsa World in October that a few months before he had reached out to OSU about restarting Bedlam, but “OSU’s interest was minimal.”
Folks in Stillwater might have changed their tone just in the last few months, though, after firing head coach Mike Gundy and replacing him with Eric Morris, who in his introductory press conference proclaimed he'd, "Welcome it with open arms.”
“I’d love to get on the phone with anybody that we know that could help us bring that game back,” Morris said then. “If they’re asking if Coach Morris welcomes that game, I’d welcome it with open arms.”
OU has also underwent some recent change with Castiglione retiring and Roger Denny being hired as his replacement. The SEC has also switched its conference schedule from eight games to nine with the requirement of at least one Power Four nonconference opponent, so as many programs are canceling future big-time nonconference matchups, OSU could be the perfect annual fit for the Sooners if it's no longer worth playing the likes of Michigan and Ohio State.
It seems OU has more reason than ever to put Bedlam back on the schedule, and if Morris was serious about what he said Day 1 as the Pokes' new leader, then he'd answer and make it happen. That legislation will likely have no effect on the future of Bedlam directly, but it might have at least started the conversation between those who actually have the power.