JimBob
02-21-2008, 10:52 AM
Bedlam wrestlers gear up
By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
2/21/2008
The statistic is so glaring that, at first glance, it would be hard to believe it's true.
But the numbers do not lie.
The Oklahoma State-Oklahoma matchup in wrestling is the most lopsided rivalry in all of college sports. The Cowboys own a 124-24-9 series advantage. No other athletic program in the country claims a 100-victory edge over a single opponent in any sport.
"I don't know if you call it a mental edge. I don't know what you call it. I know that our team gets up for it," OSU coach John Smith said. "In the past, we haven't taken it for granted that we're just going to roll in and win. We take it serious."
OU takes Bedlam serious as well. The results do not show it, though.
The series' recent history -- OSU winning the last 19 matches and undefeated in the past 27 -- mirrors the overall series. Following December's 21-9 loss, OU coach Jack Spates apologized for his team's showing, stating "it was not a very exciting Bedlam match, and we bear our share of responsibility for it."
Entering Thursday night's Bedlam match in Norman, Spates prefers to avoid talk of the past.
There is not anything that can be changed from the past, he said. The OU coach chooses to discuss about the great opportunity awaiting his team Thursday.
In December, OU had five of its 10 wrestlers making their Bedlam debut. Spates said there have been several instances during his 15-year OU tenure where some of his Bedlam first-timers allow the match's pressure and buildup to affect their performance.
"Our guys have grown up have considerably. . ." said Spates, whose 13-5 team is ranked 17th. "They anticipate the challenge of Bedlam. We don't overplay Bedlam, but if the kids don't know it's Bedlam then something is wrong. Ulti mately, we're all preparing for the NCAA Championship and this match is a big step in that journey."
OU will have one wrestler, junior 174-pounder Chris Devilbiss, making his Bedlam debut. Devilbiss replaces Jeff James, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last week.
Nine of OSU's projected 10-man lineup has experienced Bedlam at least once in their careers. If Newly McSpadden gets the start at 157 instead of Neil Erisman, it would mean all 10 Cowboys are Bedlam veterans.
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COLLEGE WRESTLING
Oklahoma State at Oklahoma
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: McCasland Field House, Norman
TV: Cox cable 3
Lineups (OSU listed first)
125: No. 14 Tyler Shinn (14-4) vs. Joey Fio (17-7)
133: No. 1 Coleman Scott (26-3) vs. No. 12 Brian Shelton (7-4)
141: No. 2 Nathan Morgan (27-2) vs. Zack Bailey (25-9)
149: Ryan Freeman (15-6) vs. No. 18 Will Rowe (20-6)
157: No. 17 Newly McSpadden (19-8) or Neil Erisman (16-8) vs. No. 20 Chad Terry (17-5)
165: No. 5 Jake Dieffenbach (17-3) vs. No. 16 Max Dean (18-6)
174: No. 9 Brandon Mason (24-4) vs. Chris Devilbiss (7-2)
184: No. 17 Jack Jensen (11-4) vs. No. 7 Josh Weitzel (22-2)
197: Clayton Foster (22-8) vs. No. 8 Joel Flaggert (20-3)
285: No. 8 Jared Rosholt (26-3) vs. Nathan Fernandez (14-10)
Individual rankings according to Amateur Wrestling News
By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
2/21/2008
The statistic is so glaring that, at first glance, it would be hard to believe it's true.
But the numbers do not lie.
The Oklahoma State-Oklahoma matchup in wrestling is the most lopsided rivalry in all of college sports. The Cowboys own a 124-24-9 series advantage. No other athletic program in the country claims a 100-victory edge over a single opponent in any sport.
"I don't know if you call it a mental edge. I don't know what you call it. I know that our team gets up for it," OSU coach John Smith said. "In the past, we haven't taken it for granted that we're just going to roll in and win. We take it serious."
OU takes Bedlam serious as well. The results do not show it, though.
The series' recent history -- OSU winning the last 19 matches and undefeated in the past 27 -- mirrors the overall series. Following December's 21-9 loss, OU coach Jack Spates apologized for his team's showing, stating "it was not a very exciting Bedlam match, and we bear our share of responsibility for it."
Entering Thursday night's Bedlam match in Norman, Spates prefers to avoid talk of the past.
There is not anything that can be changed from the past, he said. The OU coach chooses to discuss about the great opportunity awaiting his team Thursday.
In December, OU had five of its 10 wrestlers making their Bedlam debut. Spates said there have been several instances during his 15-year OU tenure where some of his Bedlam first-timers allow the match's pressure and buildup to affect their performance.
"Our guys have grown up have considerably. . ." said Spates, whose 13-5 team is ranked 17th. "They anticipate the challenge of Bedlam. We don't overplay Bedlam, but if the kids don't know it's Bedlam then something is wrong. Ulti mately, we're all preparing for the NCAA Championship and this match is a big step in that journey."
OU will have one wrestler, junior 174-pounder Chris Devilbiss, making his Bedlam debut. Devilbiss replaces Jeff James, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last week.
Nine of OSU's projected 10-man lineup has experienced Bedlam at least once in their careers. If Newly McSpadden gets the start at 157 instead of Neil Erisman, it would mean all 10 Cowboys are Bedlam veterans.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COLLEGE WRESTLING
Oklahoma State at Oklahoma
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: McCasland Field House, Norman
TV: Cox cable 3
Lineups (OSU listed first)
125: No. 14 Tyler Shinn (14-4) vs. Joey Fio (17-7)
133: No. 1 Coleman Scott (26-3) vs. No. 12 Brian Shelton (7-4)
141: No. 2 Nathan Morgan (27-2) vs. Zack Bailey (25-9)
149: Ryan Freeman (15-6) vs. No. 18 Will Rowe (20-6)
157: No. 17 Newly McSpadden (19-8) or Neil Erisman (16-8) vs. No. 20 Chad Terry (17-5)
165: No. 5 Jake Dieffenbach (17-3) vs. No. 16 Max Dean (18-6)
174: No. 9 Brandon Mason (24-4) vs. Chris Devilbiss (7-2)
184: No. 17 Jack Jensen (11-4) vs. No. 7 Josh Weitzel (22-2)
197: Clayton Foster (22-8) vs. No. 8 Joel Flaggert (20-3)
285: No. 8 Jared Rosholt (26-3) vs. Nathan Fernandez (14-10)
Individual rankings according to Amateur Wrestling News