The CFP Would've Been Out of Reach, Even With an OSU Win

Saturday just didn’t go the way Oklahoma State wanted it to, really from the start of the opening kick through the end of the game. Sure, there were some bright spots, like the Cowboys holding Baylor to just 36 total yards in the second half. Or maybe the sacks, forced fumbles and the muffed punt. However, the offense just wasn’t able to capitalize on the Baylor mistakes and the stout defense by Jim Knowles’ squad, resulting in the 21-16 loss.

It would’ve marked the program’s second Big 12 title in program history, which put the Pokes in a great spot to make the College Football Playoff for the first time since its inception.

While it’s difficult to take a moral victory, or whatever you’d like to call it in this situation, the way the slate of games played out across Championship Saturday, the Cowboys would’ve been on the outside looking in when the selection show started up on Sunday morning.

Sure, the sting would’ve been somewhat eased in the long run by a Big 12 title, but memories of 2011 would’ve come flooding back and certainly would’ve diminished things greatly.

The one game Oklahoma State really would’ve need to get into the CFP, had they beaten Baylor, would’ve been a Georgia win over Alabama. However, as it is, the fighting Nick Sabans rolled the Bulldogs fairly easily, 41-24.

Cincinnati also dismantled Houston in dominating fashion, 35-20, though the score doesn’t reflect it, making it difficult for the committee to leave the Bearcats out.

Despite the disappointing finish today, the Cowboys were projected to finish the season a mere 7-5 and playing in some middle-of-the-road no one cares bowl game against some mid-major up and coming program. The Cowboys, instead, finished the regular season 11-1 with top-25 wins over Kansas State, Baylor and Texas, and a top-10 Bedlam win over No. 10 Oklahoma, 33-27.

The Cowboys are now looking at possible New Year’s Six game, marking the program’s fifth since 2010. The Pokes Report staff got together Saturday evening to discuss it and the general consensus is a Fiesta Bowl matchup with Notre Dame. Nothing like a NY6 bowl game against one of college football’s elite blue blood programs.