OU athletic director Roger Denny said the CFP’s lack of clear strength‑of‑schedule criteria hampers seeding, but a larger playoff could open the door to tougher non‑conference matchups and a possible revival of the Bedlam rivalry with Oklahoma State. He stressed the move would benefit the state’s fans as much as the university.

SEC schools and administrators have pressed the CFP board for transparent metrics, a concern amplified after the conference added a ninth conference game. Many assumed a 16‑team expansion would follow, but the Big Ten now champions a 24-team format, arguing it would reward programs that schedule higher‑caliber non‑conference opponents and its media partners.

First meeting in 1904, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State—then Oklahoma A&M—have clashed 118 times, most recently in 2023. The series paused when OU left the Big 12 for the SEC, leaving a void in the state’s football calendar. Restoring Bedlam would rekindle a century‑old tradition and boost regional interest.

Denny reiterated that any push for tougher opponents must be matched by a selection process that reliably credits stronger schedules; otherwise schools risk sacrificing playoff chances for marquee games. He said the AD office will continue lobbying for clarity while monitoring the CFP’s next steps.