Oklahoma State's new coach wastes no time calling out Sooners and stirring Bedlam return

Unprompted, new Oklahoma State football coach Eric Morris concluded his introductory press conference on Monday with a jab at the "university south of here” and made it clear that he’s not scared of the Oklahoma Sooners.

"I want to stress so much how proud I am to represent this university, how proud I am to represent this state, because any university south of here, we don't, no, we're not even talking about, right," Morris said before putting two thumbs down, then proceeding to talk about OU.

Eric Morris says he wants Bedlam back

OSU announced the week of Thanksgiving that Morris would leave North Texas to succeed Mike Gundy as the Cowboys’ next head coach. There was a time Bedlam would be that same weekend, but for the second straight year, there were no divided tables in the state during the holiday.

Gundy even claimed during an interview at Big 12 Media Days that OU and OSU fans were now enjoying beers together on the lake. It was probably more of a relief for Gundy, though. He was 4-15 in the rivalry while winning two of the last three. The Sooners lead the all-time series 91-20-7.

Bedlam died in football after the 2023 season when the Sooners left the Cowboys in the Big 12 for the SEC. Other sports have found ways to continue the in-state rivalry, but not in football as the sport schedules nonconference matchups nearly a decade in advance.

However, in October, OU athletic director Joe Castiglione told Tulsa World that he tried to revive Bedlam, but “OSU’s interest was minimal.” Just two months later, a lot has clearly changed in Stillwater.

“I’d love to get on the phone with anybody that we know that could help us bring that game back,” Morris said. “If they’re asking if Coach Morris welcomes that game, I’d welcome it with open arms.”