Even the idea of Bedlam returning divided Oklahoma and Oklahoma State fans again

Tulsa World reported Wednesday that Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said he met with Oklahoma State a few months ago and tried to schedule a nonconference game to bring Bedlam back to the football field, but OSU had "minimal" interest. Common sense says that means the Cowboys prefer not to have Bedlam back on their schedule, while the Sooners at least attempted to revive the rivalry.

Although most sports continued the rivalry, Bedlam hasn't been played in football since 2023 after OU left the Big 12 for the SEC. College football, though, tends to schedule nonconference games years in advance, so even if both programs agreed, the earliest neither have a Power Four nonconference opponent on the docket is 2031.

The death of Bedlam in football for the foreseeable future seemed to have somewhat extinguished the state rivalry, with former OSU coach Mike Gundy even saying this summer that the rivalry had "faded," and he just saw OU and OSU fans drinking beer together now on the lake. However, even the idea of Bedlam returning reignited the discord, at least for the week, as fans were divided about the rivalry's return.

Sooners and Cowboys clash over Bedlam return

Most Oklahoma State fans, even though the Cowboys won two of the last three meetings, want no part of Bedlam's return. Some are in denial that this meeting ever even happened and that Castiglione is just trying to blame the Cowboys.

Although most refused, some OSU fans do want Bedlam back.

Former OSU All-American Sam Mayes is especially all in. He literally played in Bedlam while wearing orange.

Don't forget who is actually the second-best team in the state right now, though. The Golden Hurricane will be in Norman in 2030, and then return in 2033. It would also be a massive benefit for the Golden Hurricane if the Sooners went to Tulsa and Sooner Nation in the 918 would also enjoy that.

Regardless, Oklahoma State just had questions surrounding its athletic director and now have to find a new head coach to replace Gundy, who led the Cowboys for nearly 21 years. Getting Bedlam back on the schedule is likely low on OSU's priorities.