Win and In: Oklahoma State Controls Its Big 12 Destiny
Oklahoma State extended its win streak to four and now controls its Big 12 destiny.
After the Cowboys’ 2-2 start, controlling their destiny for the conference title through eight games was unfathomable. But with Oklahoma’s loss at Kansas, that is precisely where the Cowboys find themselves.
In an unpredictable Big 12, OSU sits in a five-way tie for first place at 4-1 in conference play. By virtue of the remaining schedule, a maximum of two teams could finish with one loss.
While Bedlam next week will knock one of those teams to two losses, a round-robin among the other three teams will secure a second loss for at least two more teams. Kansas State, Texas and Iowa State all face each other in the final four weeks, with each hosting one game and going on the road for the other.
In this unique situation, the Cowboys are not the only team to control their destiny. All five teams with one conference loss would make the championship game if they win out.
In OSU’s 45-13 win against Cincinnati, it was another impressive showing from Ollie Gordon and the offense. Gordon ran for 271 yards against the Bearcats to secure bowl eligibility and allowed OSU to carry momentum into its matchup with OU next week.
Even with the results from Saturday, ESPN gives the Cowboys only a 19.2% chance of pulling the upset against the Sooners. But if the Cowboys can continue their revenge tour and take the win in the final Bedlam, their chances of running the table and going to Arlington become much better.
OSU will have a couple of road games in Orlando and Houston. UCF and Houston are currently a combined 1-9 in Big 12 games, with the only win coming from Houston’s miraculous last-second touchdown against West Virginia.
Then, the Cowboys will come back home for senior day against BYU. While BYU will be in the running for a bowl game, OSU has lost only one conference home game in the past three seasons.
A Big 12 Championship appearance is far from guaranteed, but the Cowboys’ fate is in their hands now. The road ahead will not be easy, but the fact that there is a road is a win after the way this season began.
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Ivan is a sports media student at Oklahoma State University. He has covered OSU athletics since 2022 and also covers the OKC Thunder for Inside The Thunder and Thunderous Intentions.