It wasn’t that long ago that an Oklahoma-Oklahoma State matchup was likely to feature two of the Big 12’s -- if not the nation’s -- top signal-callers.

Sam Bradford. Brandon Weeden. Landry Jones. Zac Robinson. Future NFL quarterbacks going head-to-head was commonplace in Bedlam.

It’s a different scenario in 2014.

Freshman Mason Rudolph showed he could move the OSU offense in his college debut against Baylor. Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports

OU and OSU enter the final game of the regular season with more uncertainty at the quarterback position than they began with. OU’s Trevor Knight (neck) and OSU’s J.W. Walsh (foot), the starters in the season openers, are both sidelined with injuries and the future at the position in Norman and Stillwater remains up in the air. The Sooners will start redshirt freshman Cody Thomas while OSU’s starting quarterback remains a “game-time” decision according to coach Mike Gundy with true freshman Mason Rudolph or Daxx Garman set to lead the Pokes' offense.

OU’s Knight will miss his third straight game with the neck injury. The Sooners are hopeful he can return for their bowl game but his long-term future in the air. Yet, even before his injury Knight wasn’t playing like the Sugar Bowl MVP signal-caller that many thought would secure the position for the next few seasons for Bob Stoops' team. He flashes his exceptional potential at times, then makes game-altering mistakes as consistency continues to escape him.

Thus, the door is ajar with Cody Thomas or Baker Mayfield poised to walk through it and become the future behind center in Norman, Oklahoma. Assuming Knight eventually returns to 100 percent health, OU will have four quarterbacks battling to start in the spring, with three of them having Big 12 experience along with redshirting freshman Justice Hansen. Mayfield has impressed while sitting out after transferring from Texas Tech while Hansen has made a steady improvement during his first season on campus.

In Stillwater, Rudolph provided a glimmer of hope with his debut performance against Baylor yet the Cowboys' quarterback position remains the more intriguing of the two. Walsh’s expected return brings a different style of offense to the table. The quarterback run game puts the veteran in the best position to have success. Rudolph couldn’t be more different as a drop-back passer in the mold of Weeden. Add Garman to the mix with the expected growth that comes with game experience and things get even more interesting behind center this offseason as the quarterback who rises to the top will define the style of offense.

While it won’t be a battle of the stars at the quarterback position, Bedlam offers an opportunity for Thomas and Rudolph to plant their stake in the ground and get a head start on their respective quarterback derbies heading into 2015.

Thomas led the Sooners to back-to-back wins over Texas Tech and Kansas in his first two starts but 172 combined passing yards in those two games have left Sooners fans wondering if he has the skill set to lead the crimson and cream to the promised land during his career. OU players and coaches insist they’ve seen growth and increased confidence from Thomas heading into his third start.

“He knows that he’s that guy for us right now,” tackle Tyrus Thompson said. “He plays with a confidence. Bad things happen but he just keeps pushing through and doesn’t let it defeat him.”

Thomas’ game management is improving with experience and the rainy conditions during his second start against the Jayhawks -- along with a record-breaking performance from running back Samaje Perine -- limited his chances to show what he can do.

“[Thomas] is out there confident and feeling like he can make every play,” OU co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said. “He’s ready to compete. He’s a competitor and that’s the biggest thing we’ve seen in him.”

Rudolph’s performance against BU makes him the odds-on favorite to lead OSU against the Sooners -- particularly with the Cowboys removing his redshirt during the final weeks of the season to take on BU after a head injury forced Garman to the sideline. Rudolph sparked the offense, going 13-of-25 for 281 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in his first collegiate action.

“He did a good job of maintaining poise,” OSU offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich said. “Being on the road like that for the first time in the Big 12, he didn't really know what to expect. We knew that he was a confident young man, but to see it in the lights was a really good thing.”

Rudolph’s numbers weren’t eye-popping; in fact, they were very average compared to the numbers from other OSU quarterbacks in recent seasons. But there’s no getting around the fact that he led the Cowboys' offense to more offensive touchdowns (4) against Baylor than it scored in its previous four games (3) with Garman under center.

“He came in, commanded and acted like he had been there all season,” tight end Jeremy Sexton said. “He really treated himself like he was a veteran and had a strong sense of authority. He definitely stepped up for the game, and I was really impressed with him.”

Saturday's meeting between the in-state rivals won’t answer all the questions but it could create the foundation for the future at quarterback for the Sooners or Cowboys.