Oklahoma Far From Out of Title Game Hunt
After putting Texas Tech in their place, the Oklahoma Sooners are still in line behind Alabama and Texas in the BCS standings. According to Big 12 law, in case of a divisional tie, the team with the highest BCS ranking gets to go to the Big 12 championship game, which will be where one Big 12 combatant (Texas or OU) gets it's ticket punched for Miami.
On the surface, it looks like the Sooners may be on the outside looking in, but in reality, nothing could be further from the truth. The way that the BCS rankings are factored, strength of schedule and quality of opponents figures heavily into the mix. Oklahoma has yet to play Oklahoma State, a two loss team which is also a quality opponent. On the other hand, Texas ends it's season against 4-7 (2-5) Texas A&M. Nothing short of a total ass kicking of Texas A&M will keep Texas in the second slot in the BCS rankings. If there was one time where Mack Borwn needs to lose his good guy image and run a team into the ground, this is it. Otherwise if Oklahoma clobbers Oklahoma State, the Sooners will be on their way to Kansas City.
The other slot in the BCS Championship game will be determined by the winner of the Alabama-Florida SEC Championship game, provided Florida doesn't get upset by Florida State or Alabama by Auburn. A loss by either one of those teams would open the door for a team like USC or possibly Texas Tech, although Tech would need a boatload of help. Penn State is also a faint possibility if upsets rule the day.
Again, for USC, Tech or Penn State to get to Miami, it will take several upsets. It's not impossible, but it sure won't be easy.
My personal prediction is that we'll be watching Oklahoma and Florida.
On the surface, it looks like the Sooners may be on the outside looking in, but in reality, nothing could be further from the truth. The way that the BCS rankings are factored, strength of schedule and quality of opponents figures heavily into the mix. Oklahoma has yet to play Oklahoma State, a two loss team which is also a quality opponent. On the other hand, Texas ends it's season against 4-7 (2-5) Texas A&M. Nothing short of a total ass kicking of Texas A&M will keep Texas in the second slot in the BCS rankings. If there was one time where Mack Borwn needs to lose his good guy image and run a team into the ground, this is it. Otherwise if Oklahoma clobbers Oklahoma State, the Sooners will be on their way to Kansas City.
The other slot in the BCS Championship game will be determined by the winner of the Alabama-Florida SEC Championship game, provided Florida doesn't get upset by Florida State or Alabama by Auburn. A loss by either one of those teams would open the door for a team like USC or possibly Texas Tech, although Tech would need a boatload of help. Penn State is also a faint possibility if upsets rule the day.
Again, for USC, Tech or Penn State to get to Miami, it will take several upsets. It's not impossible, but it sure won't be easy.
My personal prediction is that we'll be watching Oklahoma and Florida.



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