Does Oklahoma State Control Its Own Big 12 Title Destiny?

The common thread running through Stillwater on Saturday was, “we back, baby.” OSU is back in the thick of the Big 12 title race after erasing WVU’s perfect 6-0 record in magnificent fashion. Despite losing to Baylor at the end of September, the Cowboys, now 4-1 in Big 12 play, could still make a late-season run through the conference for their first Big 12 crown since 2011.

OSU got more good news later in the day as Texas beat Baylor 35-34 in Austin. This actually got the biggest cheer of the night at our live podcast! So that left OU as the lone undefeated team in conference play.

Here is a look at the current standings with four Big 12 games remaining for the Cowboys.

So what is OSU’s path to the Big 12 title? Does it control its own destiny?

Unfortunately the answer to that second question is no. If Baylor wins out it would be 8-1 with wins over OU, WVU and OSU. No matter what any other Big 12 team accomplished, it could not surpass Baylor. However, Baylor still has road games against West Virginia and OU and home games against TCU and Kansas State so it would be pretty stunning if they won out.

So what is OSU’s path to at least playing Bedlam for the Big 12 title for the fourth time in six years? It’s pretty simple. Root for OU or WVU (or anyone) to beat Baylor and win out yourself.

The reality here is that for OSU to win the Big 12, it is probably going to have to beat OU in Norman for the crown. OU only has four conference games left (at ISU, at WVU, home for Baylor and home for OSU). For OSU to win the Big 12 without beating OU, OU would have to lose its other three conference games (which isn’t happening).

Even if OU comes into Bedlam at 8-0 in conference play, as long as OSU is 7-1 it can take the Big 12 title because it would have the head-to-head win over Bob Stoops and Co.

Essentially you don’t care if OU wins or loses its next three games but you have to get a loss in there somewhere from Baylor. And you have to win all three of your own games (which you apparently won’t be favored in — OSU is a three-point dog to KSU this weekend).

If you lose one of those three, you’re probably cooked. There’s still a path if you lose, say this weekend in Manhattan, but it’s a messy one. It involves a lot of tiebreakers and stuff that we don’t need to get into until that actually happens.

Plus every Big 12 champ since 2011 when the league went to 10 teams has gone 8-1 in conference play. OU is looking like it is set on continuing that trend (or improving upon it), but now there’s a real chance OSU could be a factor in the Sooners’ fate come December 3.