When I was in college, I had no qualms fanning the flames of Bedlam. Talking to anyone wearing red, I would unequivocally tell them how badly I imagined the Cowboys were going to mop the floor with OU. That probably had a lot to do with immaturity. It also might have been influenced by John Blake being the Sooner football coach.
Soon after I graduated, I was still pretty obnoxious. With Les Miles helming the team, he gave the players--as well as the fans--a swagger that made us feel it was the Sooners who were the underdog in the fight. He did things like not talk trash by not forfeiting the game before the mighty Sooners fielded the kickoff (the infamous "so we're told" press conference). He said things like "Let 'er rip" to sideline reporters. Most importantly, he beat OU.
Now that I'm in my 30's, and Mike Gundy only intimidates female sports reporters, my trash talk has dwindled significantly. I say things like, "we'll see if the team can take care of business," or "If the defense can get some pressure on Landry, we have a chance." Suck on that Sooners!
Anyway, my smack talking is done vicariously. But since the dawn of TheLostOgle, I have noticed my fellow Cowboys and their Sooner brethren are usually pretty lame. Every year it amounts to little more than OSU fans slurring the team name ("Gooners") and Sooner fans calling the location of Oklahoma State University "Stoolwater." Clever, right? In essence, the whole of the fan interaction leading up to Bedlam sounds like the minions at a Glenn Beck rally.
This year has been different, somehow. Fans are bringing their A-game when it comes to making fun of the opposition. Perhaps it is the increased importance of the game with the winner taking the Big 12 South title. Perhaps it is frustration from the OSU Athletic Department instituted a policy two years ago that makes it virtually impossible for Sooner fans to get a ticket without selling a kidney. Perhaps it is...you know what, nevermind, it is definitely the stakes.
Anyway, here are the highlights of what I have seen on the internet this week.