OU AD ties CFP expansion to Bedlam rivalry revival
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- Roger Denny said he is still awaiting clarification from the College Football Playoff on how strength‑of‑schedule metrics will be used for postseason seeding, and that a playoff expansion could let OU schedule tougher non‑conference opponents.
- SEC coaches and ADs have peppered College Football Playoff administrators with questions about the metrics used to fill the field, especially as the conference moves to a nine‑game schedule without a confirmed playoff expansion.
- SEC added an extra conference game, assuming a 16‑team playoff expansion that has not materialized, prompting concerns about comparing strength of schedule across conferences.
- Big Ten is leading a push for a 24‑team playoff field, touting it as an incentive for schools to schedule higher‑quality non‑conference games.
- Oklahoma has played Oklahoma State 118 times since 1904, most recently in 2023, and Denny hopes the rivalry could resume if the CFP expands, though he has not yet spoken directly with OSU about it.
Why it matters: Oklahoma fans and the state’s economy stand to gain from a revived Bedlam game, while the Sooners gain flexibility to schedule stronger opponents without jeopardizing playoff chances when the CFP expands.
