Bowl Game Mystery Down to Three, Liberty, Texas, or First Responders

STILLWATER – The bowl destination for the Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-5/4-5) is coming down to the wire and there are two big reasons. One, is that Oklahoma State did limp down the stretch with so many injured and unavailable players and the disadvantage of not knowing exactly who would be available on game day. The Cowboys do know they will have some players back for the bowl game and Pokes Report has learned that quarterback Spencer Sanders will be available for the bowl game.

Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

Sanders expected to play in bowl game.

Second, the Bog 12 gives its’ bowl partners way too much freedom in choosing who they have. For instance, in the SEC after the selections of the College Football Playoff and New Year’s Six games selected by the CFP committee, the SEC and commissioner Greg Sankey tell their bowl partners who they are getting. The SEC dictates the match-ups for their bowl eligible teams. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark needs to take back the freedom that former commissioner Bob Bowlsby gave Big 12 bowl partners of practically choosing who they want out of the league’s bowl eligible teams.

We are very certain that TCU will remain in the CFP as the No. 3 seed. We know that Kansas State is heading to the Sugar Bowl to play Alabama. From there is gets crazy. The Valero Alamo Bowl will almost assuredly take Texas. They are an hour away and they are ranked and a solid draw. From there is gets nuts. The Cheez-It chooses next and could take any team, but it is rumored they really want Oklahoma, although the Sooners are hardly deserving of that selection.

Houston Texans

NRG Stadium

Tne Texas Bowl is next and Oklahoma State has been tied to that bowl all week.. The game in NRG Stadium last hosted OSU in 2019 when they played and lost to Texas A&M in an exciting game. Oklahoma State has a big alumni base in Houston that will help sell tickets for the Dec. 28 game that would likely match up the Cowboys with Kentucky, Florida, or Mississippi State.

The next pick is the Liberty Bowl and that

Memphis

Liberty Bowl in Memphis

also matches you up with an SEC team. Most likely that is Florida, Arkansas, Missouri, or Kentucky.

The Cowboys defeated Missouri in the 2018 Liberty Bowl. This is a better than sometimes promoted destination. Memphis is a good town and the tour of St. Jude’s Hospital is amazing. The work they do is inspirational. That game is Dec. 29.

The next option is the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Arizona vs. a Big Ten team and with the Cowboys having been in Arizona fot the Fiesta Bowl last season. They are not likely going back.

SMU Athletics

Gerald Ford Stadium

Finally, the First Responders Bowl in Dallas that is now played at SMU’s Gerald Ford Stadium would pit Oklahoma State on Dec. 27 against a Group of Five team such as Fresno State, Boise State, or perhaps, Memphis. Oklahoma State last played in that game in 2013 when it was known as the Heart of Dallas Bowl. The Cowboys beat Purdue in that game with Clint Chelf as the MVP. 

That is what is looks like, Give the Cowboys LIberty, Texas, or First Responders.