Oklahoma State football: Three takeaways from Cowboys' 2021 schedule

STILLWATER — Bedlam football returns to Thanksgiving weekend in 2021.

The Big 12 Conference released its football schedule for the fall on Thursday. Here are three takeaways from Oklahoma State’s schedule:

Bedlam finale

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Oklahoma State is set to host OU on Nov. 27 in the regular-season finale. 

Fans have become accustomed to the rivalry game on Thanksgiving weekend, though it has been moved off the holiday on occasion in recent years.

The Big 12 title game is scheduled for the following weekend in Arlington, Texas.

Critical mid-October

If OSU is going to compete for a Big 12 title, the most crucial stretch of the schedule comes in mid-October with back-to-back road dates at Texas and Iowa State.

OSU visits the Longhorns on Oct. 16, then goes to Iowa State on Oct. 23. The good news is the games are sandwiched between an open week on Oct. 9 and a home game against Kansas on Oct. 30.

In general, OSU’s road trips are well-balanced, with one in September (Boise State), two in October (Texas and Iowa State) and two in November (West Virginia and Texas Tech).

Kansas for homecoming

After having to cancel homecoming in 2020, the Cowboys hope to bring it back on Oct. 30 with a game against Kansas. 

The homecoming events, combined with Halloween weekend should make for an even bigger party than usual across campus. 

After homecoming, the schedule is a mixed bag, with a road game at West Virginia the following weekend, then a home game against TCU and a trip to Texas Tech — always a tough place to play — before Bedlam.

OSU football schedule for 2021

Sept. 4: vs. Missouri State

Sept. 11: vs. Tulsa

Sept. 18: at Boise State

Sept. 25: vs. Kansas State

Oct. 2: vs. Baylor

Oct. 9: Open

Oct. 16: at Texas

Oct. 23: at Iowa State

Oct. 30: vs. Kansas (homecoming)

Nov. 6: at West Virginia

Nov. 13: vs. TCU

Nov. 20: at Texas Tech

Nov. 27: vs. Oklahoma

Dec. 4: Big 12 championship