The departure of Oklahoma and Texas from the Big 12 Conference has had a major impact on the college sports landscape. One of the biggest losses is the end of one of college football’s most storied rivalries, Bedlam. Bedlam is the annual game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys. It has been played since 1904 and is one of the oldest rivalries in college football.
The rivalry between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State was so intense that it was nicknamed “Bedlam” after the mental hospital in London. The game was always a huge draw for fans, with both teams’ stadiums often selling out. It was also a major source of revenue for both universities, as well as for the Big 12 Conference.
With Oklahoma and Texas leaving the Big 12, the Bedlam rivalry will no longer be played. This is a huge loss for both universities, as well as for college football fans. Not only will they miss out on the excitement of the game, but they will also miss out on the economic benefits that it brought to both universities.
The departure of Oklahoma and Texas from the Big 12 has also had an impact on other rivalries in the conference. The Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma was another highly anticipated game, and its end will be felt by both teams’ fan bases. Other rivalries such as Kansas-Kansas State, Iowa State-Missouri, and Baylor-Texas Tech will also be affected by the departure of Oklahoma and Texas.
The end of Bedlam and other rivalries due to Oklahoma and Texas’ departure from the Big 12 is a major loss for college football fans. It is a reminder of how important rivalries are to college sports, and how quickly they can be taken away. While it is unlikely that these rivalries will ever be rekindled, it is important to remember their impact on college football and to appreciate them while they lasted.
