OT: Bedlam and a Reminder About the Joy of College Football
The spittle-flecked mob has given me a deeper appreciation of America's electoral college. Perhaps later I'll be able to marvel at the deep-seated hatred that manufactured Signgate, but I've not yet arrived at the future where I can enjoy the past. It has been exhausting.
Perhaps you'll also enjoy this bittersweet final chapter in the Bedlam Series. For those who don't know, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have been playing each other on-and-off since 1904-- and without interruption since 1910. But Oklahoma's jump to another conference will likely break this tradition for at least a year. Oklahoma State (and former Michigan backup Alan Bowman) sent the money-grubbing Sooners to the SEC with a field goal and a Taylor Swift chaser.
The Cowboy faithful weren't done with their goal posts, however. Their first order of business? A Trinidad-funeral-inspired party game. But the kids got hungry. So, naturally, they dropped by their local Wendy's drive-through (WARNING: completely understandable, flabbergasted profanity). And then, as is tradition, the goal posts were laid to rest at a local body of water (heads-up: a more traditional--and equally joyful--use of profanity).
In these clips, I'm reminded of the stuff I love about college football. I hope it does some of the same for you.
November 6th, 2023 at 8:07 AM ^
Love college football and the fans. To me it feels like everyone is their for the sport where the NFL is more corporate like.
Glad Oklahoma got this send off so they can get used to 3 losses every year.
November 6th, 2023 at 8:09 AM ^
I live in Oklahoma and two of my kids are OSU grads (the oldest was a National Merit Scholar and was able to use that to get a full ride to MSU), so I know what kind of intense dislike can develop. The local media coverage is far more unbalanced than it is in Michigan. It's not slanted against OSU (of course neither is it slanted in Michigan). It's just that for every story about OSU there are probably 2 for OU, but the fans and those eager for the news about their favorite football team are probably divided about 2 to one as well. That's what drives the numbers, not some sort of favoritism.
Edit: I should also add for those of you with kids starting college: if they're planning on grad school it doesn't matter how crappy the undergrad school is if they're smart enough to get into a good grad school. The one OSU grad has a master's in EE from Purdue. The other has a master's in Hispanic linguistics from UNM. The Sparty has a PhD in chemical engineering from NCSU. Nobody cares about their undergrad degrees.
November 6th, 2023 at 9:05 AM ^
My oldest niece (her husband is an OSU---not that osu!---grad) messaged me yesterday a couple pics her oldest son sent to them as he and the entire Oklahoma State student body rushed the field post-game. And it truly does look like it was complete bedlam!
It certainly reminded me of joining in on several post-game celebrations at the Big House back in the 70s.
November 6th, 2023 at 9:14 AM ^
I worked for newspapers for nearly 10 years and all of them operate like this. And as an extension, so do other media outlets. The coverage gets slanted to what the masses want. This is true for pro sports (NFL is king) and college sports (NCAAF is king) down to local football.
Even outside of sports this holds true. People will talk about the news being negative. In turn, papers have a saying "if it bleeds it leads". That's because people don't read or click on feel-good stories.
November 6th, 2023 at 8:40 AM ^
For those interested, here's a post-game interview with Bowman (with a "Gundy" bonus just after the two-minute mark):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHvGRMitRQA
I'd have to guess that he made a positive contribution to the UM QB room in '21 and '22.
November 6th, 2023 at 9:24 AM ^
Bowman is easy to root for. He came to Michigan and sat for two years while learning how to play quarterback (not jus throw the ball - he said this, not me). He didn't pout, got his master's degree, and stuck around to be of assistance (for bowl prep and whatnot) even when it was clear he wasn't going to play. He wasn't the full-time starter to begin the season (whoops on Gundy for that one) but now is leading a potential conference champion in his final season while chalking up one of the biggest/timeliest wins in OSU program history. Very happy for him.
November 6th, 2023 at 9:22 AM ^
This was the first F-You out the door I was hoping for. Okie St ending Oklahoma's playoff chances.
Next, I would love to see Oregon St ruin Oregon's CFP chances in the Civil War.
Lastly, Wazzou takes out Washington in the Apple Cup; also hurting their CFP chances.
November 6th, 2023 at 9:50 AM ^
Yeah but that was a horrible non-PI call on OSU in the end zone at the end of regulation. Yeesh. OU fans have a right to be pissed.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:14 PM ^
You hate to see it.
November 6th, 2023 at 11:01 AM ^
I was very pleased that the Cowboys defeated the Sooners.
November 6th, 2023 at 11:24 AM ^
Michigan is 9-0, won b2b Bigs, beat Osu and msu twice in a row, has won 27 straight regular season games leading the nation, 20 home games in a row, has great coaches and top talent, and you are struggling to find joy/love for college football right now and need Oklahoma State’s help? The 2-4 season called. They want this post back.
November 6th, 2023 at 11:33 AM ^
Dude, the constant barrage of nonsense about Signgate is exhausting.
I'm no NCAA rules/organization expert, and the possibility remains that all this success will get wiped.
November 6th, 2023 at 11:37 AM ^
Making this send off even better...this is not a balanced rivalry. The all time record is 21-82-7 in favor of Oklahoma. Even though OSU won in 2021, their last win before that was 2014.
Nothing like kicking the bully in the mouth as he runs out the door.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:15 PM ^
THE OSU.
November 6th, 2023 at 1:22 PM ^
Socrates wholeheartedly agrees with you.