OU and OSU get together for ESPN's Big Monday in what's known 'round here as Bedlam.

Blake Griffin. James Anderson. It will be quite the youngins' show at the Lloyd Noble Center, starting at 8 p.m.

But will this round of Sooners vs. Cowboys be a good game?

When I attempt to predict OU basketball games, I look at several factors:

1. What kind of Lloyd Noble Center are we going to see tonight?

For Bedlam, it's usually raucous. Given that it's Big Monday (which IS a big deal) and Bedlam, I think my typical LNC concerns aren't too warranted.

2. Will Blake Griffin play? Will he be 100 percent?

Did you watch Saturday? Given that this will be Blake's first Bedlam matchup, I think he'll be super fired up.

3. What about the Pokes? Did the A&M loss do them in?

I hate to ever write an OSU team off because they're typically so disciplined. Plus, the LNC is a cakewalk compared to Gallagher-Iba.

However, yes, I think this Pokes team is pretty much baked for '08.

The line on this one is 8.5 points in favor of the boys in Crimson, and I'm usually very hesitant to give OU that much of a cushion, particularly in a Bedlam series that can honestly go either way 80 percent of the time.

But everything points to a big Sooners win. Everything.

I'll take Oklahoma -8.5.

Ryan completely discourages betting, particularly after his 2-3 weekend. His overall '08 record is 6-3-1.