Gundy: Chaos competition with Oklahoma is ‘history’

• Heather Dinich, ESPN

  • Elder WriterJul 12, 2023, 04:10 PM ET Close College football press reporter
  • Joined ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of Indiana University

ARLINGTON, Texas– With Big 12 co-founders Oklahoma and Texas preparing to play their last seasons in the league before transferring to the SEC, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy on Wednesday said he believes this is the last season for the Bedlam competition– and he’s not happy about it.

“In football, Chaos is history in my opinion,” Gundy told ESPN at Big 12 media days at AT&T Stadium. “OU chose to go to the SEC. When they did, they took Bedlam with them. … [Oklahoma athletic director Joe] Castiglione is a buddy of mine, but when he and their president chose to go to the SEC, they took Chaos with them. Do I like it? No. I like custom.

“I like Huge 12, I liked the old Big 8,” he stated. “I like rivalries. I like the important things in college football that have actually been around permanently, however that’s not going to matter anymore. All those things are history.”

Editor’s Picks

1 Related Gundy stated Oklahoma State’s schedule is set through 2037, and recommended that if the SEC ever moves to a nine-game conference schedule, it would not be wise “from a business perspective” for the SEC to set up another Power 5 opponent.

“No one likes it,” he stated, “however Bedlam’s out the window.”

The Huge 12’s most-played rivalry– in regards to current Huge 12 teams– will remain undamaged in 2024, as Kansas and Kansas State have actually played 120 times, the most in an All-Big 12 competition, according to ESPN Stats & Details. Texas and OU would be next at 117 games, followed by Bedlam at 117.

According to the NCAA’s record book, when OU and Oklahoma State stop playing, it will end what is connected for the second-longest uninterrupted series in FBS history, just behind Minnesota-Wisconsin.

Still, Gundy yielded it’s possible the 2 rivals meet again in a bowl game, and he stated the Big 12 will stay “on strong ground” even without OU and Texas. He pointed to the recent additions of BYU, Houston, Cincinnati and UCF, which officially signed up with the Huge 12 this month, as suitable replacements.

“In 2015 obviously TCU made it to the [CFP] finals and Texas has actually been no place near there,” he stated. “… There’s groups that are in our league that have actually performed at an extremely high level over the last nevertheless several years and it hasn’t always been [OU and Texas] I don’t believe anyone is ever stating them leaving doesn’t impact the Huge 12, however I believe that with the method it’s moving and the four teams that are can be found in … we were extremely lucky we had the ability to choose these collaborate to make up for them leaving.”

This year, the Big 12 will have 14 total groups because of the four additions, plus the last season with OU and Texas. In 2024, the league will diminish to 12, but Gundy stated “it’s not unreasonable to believe we might be at 16 again genuine fast.”

Gundy stated he believes conference realignment will continue because of TV revenue as a driving factor. Huge 12 commissioner Brett Yormark didn’t specifically say what the league’s strategy is– aside from there is one.

“We do have a strategy and ideally we can execute that strategy faster than later,” Yormark said. “However as I’ve constantly stated, I love the structure of this conference today. The enjoyment the four new members have given this conference has been extraordinary, and if we remain at 12, we’re completely fine with that. If the opportunity presents where there’s something that develops worth and aligns well with our goals and objectives starting with the board, then we’re definitely going to pursue it.”

The realignment landscape has actually been primarily quiet as leaders throughout college athletics wait for the Pac-12’s announcement of a brand-new television offer. When asked what schools he believes would be a good suitable for the Big 12, Gundy discussed the 4 schools that have for months developed the most speculation– Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Arizona State– but stated it was just a guess.

“Colorado is right down the road,” he stated. “They utilized to be in our league. They make good sense, right? You know, if you’re thinking area, a little bit of television market, the two Arizona schools get the West Coast a bit. You know, Utah sitting right there. I’m thinking they have a rivalry with BYU, so you bring another competition in.”

The only thing Gundy seems sure of about realignment, is the Chaos competition is on its way out.