I don’t want to be a negative Nancy, but the loss to Texas this weekend proved one thing to me: OU can almost throw in the national championship towel.
It seems as if just a few measly days ago, everyone on campus was getting their flights and hotels planned out, preparing for a trip to Miami in January.
Now, everyone has a “there’s always next year” attitude.
I haven’t seen this big of a disappointment since the 2008 version of DeMarco Murray.
It’s very simple. In order to go to the national championship, the Sooners have to go to the Big 12 Championship, which means they have to win the South division, which currently has four teams ranked in the nation’s top eight.
Most importantly, OU will have to win the rest of its games and hope that UT loses twice.
Oh, and let’s not forget about the other teams that have an edge on OU right now.
The big surprise of the year is obviously Oklahoma State, which is currently tied for first in the Big 12 South standings, alongside Texas and Texas Tech.
In order for the Sooners to pass OSU, they’ll have to win the last game of the season when they travel to Stillwater. I think OSU has the best chance of slowing down out of the group, but only because they play at UT and Texas Tech.
Then everything needs to fall in place with Texas Tech, whose toughest games come at OU and a home game against Texas.
The most unlikely part of the formula is Texas losing twice. This is doubtful, especially since UT has already played their toughest game. The Longhorns still have a good chance of losing at Texas Tech, but the tiebreaker is the biggest difference maker.
You see, five of OU’s final six games are either against top-16 competition, on the road, or both. They have the toughest road to the Big 12 Championship and they need help along the way.
Now I understand that LSU went to the national championship losing two games last year. This is a totally different situation. LSU didn’t have three other teams battling for the first place spot like OU does.
Finally, don’t even think about the argument that UT beat OU in 2006 and then somehow lost two late season games to hand OU the South title.
This year’s Texas team is much better.
The chances of things falling into place are unlikely, about as likely as Santa Claus actually eating the cookies you bake for him this year.
— MJ Casiano is a broadcast and electronic media sophomore.
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dbh 3 years, 7 months ago
OU is very much in National Title Picture.. Their next test and I do mean test of the teams character is this Saturday vs KANSAS JAYHAWKS. Can Sam Bradford lead the Sooners?? Or will they be flat with their game face and playbook left in Dallas!! KANSAS has won 17 of their last 19 games, 9 of the last ten in the Big 12 League.Bob Stoops and the Sooner nation BEWARE this is not the 2004 jayhawks you play in Norman Sat. 10/18... Good Luck you will need it for rushing and passing.
saxman 3 years, 7 months ago
OU's biggest threat outside the big XII is Penn State. They have the easiest schedule and are highly likely to win out.
Texas loses at least once. If OU wins out, I like our chances for Miami.
But the Texas game exposed too many weaknesses on defense...it'll take a lot to convince me that we can beat the 5 teams ranked we have left.
TheJR 3 years, 7 months ago
A depressing, though entirely likely assessment. There's always next year.
EN 3 years, 7 months ago
"In order to go to the national championship, the Sooners have to go to the Big 12 Championship"
No they don't. They have to finish in the top 2 of the BCS Poll on selection Sunday following the Big 12 Championship. Seeing as to how they're only 2 spots away from that RIGHT NOW, a Big 12 championship appearance is nowhere close to being obligatory.
"LSU didn’t have three other teams battling for the first place spot like OU does."
You're right - because Ohio State had the number one spot in the BCS locked down last season before the selection went under place, not LSU. Not to mention - Va. Tech, a one-loss Georgia team and OU came within .10 of LSU for number two. LSU had plenty of hurdles on their way to the Sugar Bowl last year with two losses. Georgia came pretty close without even playing in the SEC championship game (and had LSU lost the SEC championship game to Tenn., Georgia might've jumped Va Tech).
And the fact that OU is behind three teams in the polls, with half the regular season still left, means nothing. Three teams? OU can jump all of them within two weeks given how many upsets have happened this year.
The bottom line: the Big 12 championship is irrelevant in OU's national title picture. Actually, it may better that OU avoids that game altogether. If Texas loses late in the season again, they'll drop below OU, on the basis of the two team's proximity in the polls. Texas still wins the south, heads to the Big 12 championship game while OU stays on top with no game to play before the bowl selection.
Highly realistic picture.