Another loss, another moment of panic by Sooner Nation.
Blames were cast and few were spared as the Sooners once again struggled on the road, this time losing to Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. The loss is further testament to how OU struggles on the road as they put up zero first-quarter points.
As a result of the loss, the Sooners drop to second in the Big 12 South behind the Oklahoma State Cowboys. But calm down, Sooner fans; the season is not over yet, and a loss does not change that much for this team.
Yes, the national championship hopes are gone, barring something otherworldly. With TCU, Boise State, Auburn, LSU and Oregon all trucking along, those hopes are better left as pipe dreams.
Be honest — did you really think the Sooners had a shot anyway? If they had made the title game, could they have beaten the SEC champ, Oregon, TCU or Boise State?
However, a shot at the Big 12’s automatic BCS bid is still available, and the odds might be better than you think.
This season, OU has three games left: in Norman against Texas Tech, on the road against Baylor and in Stillwater against OSU. To no surprise, all are must-wins.
Coincidentally, the two teams that are of the biggest threat to OU winning the South — Baylor and OSU — are still left on the schedule. Assuming OU wins out, a few things would happen.
OSU would have at least two losses — one to Nebraska and one to the Sooners.
Baylor would suffer at least four losses and would ultimately be out of the picture. Even with a win over the Aggies at home, the outcome would be the same for the Bears.
Texas A&M already has three losses, two in conference, with a home game against No. 8 Nebraska and a trip to Austin against the Longhorns left on its schedule. Even if the Aggies win both and despite the fact they won the head-to-head against OU, the three losses would keep them out of contention in the event of a three-way tie, according to the Big 12's tie-breaker rules.
Again, assuming OU doesn’t lose again, the head-to-head Bedlam battle two days after Thanksgiving would determine the South title.
Yes, this outline is full of “ifs,” but if OU wins out, OU gets a shot at a Big 12 title against either Nebraska or Missouri, and the winner would make a BCS appearance.
In the end, all that’s lost is a narrow chance at a national title that was made even more narrow with LSU’s victory over Alabama. And with so many unbeaten teams still out there, that was a doubtful chance at best had OU not lost Saturday.
A Big 12 Championship, however, is a tangible goal. Win your games, OU, and you’ll get that shot at a big BCS game.
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thereliablesource 1 year, 6 months ago
When Coach "Stoops defended the play-calling of his coordinators" for the Texas A&M loss things will change. Kevin Wilson has served the needs of OU and it is time to get into a new mode of play calling. The other offensive coaches agree...off the record.
jackc 1 year, 6 months ago
Oh please! Stop the blather. Stop pouring artificial hopes into the equation. Let's come face to face with the facts. The team can't get it done in the fourth! Wilson should be paid to leave the stadium after three quarters. Josh should run the offense. Our play-book is memorized by all. We are more predictable and intimidated in away games than school on Monday. The coaches should be ashamed for not being able to get one yard three times in three situations. The team is dead emotionally. Past heroes sadly watch a lack of 'killer instinct', bravado, dominance, and superiority!