Oklahoma’s Playoff Hopes Diminish as West Virginia Looks for Upset
West Virginia (6-3, 4-2 Big 12) is set to face No. 17 Oklahoma (7-2, 4-2) in a highly anticipated showdown. The Mountaineers have only managed to defeat the Sooners once since joining the Big 12 in 2012, but their recent form suggests they may have a chance at an upset. Last November, West Virginia emerged victorious with a 23-20 win on a last-minute field goal in Morgantown.
Unfortunately for Oklahoma, their hopes of clinching a spot in the prestigious four-team College Football Playoff have been all but extinguished. The Sooners suffered back-to-back road losses that effectively diminished their chances. Despite being the only team to defeat the seventh-ranked Texas, Oklahoma no longer controls its destiny in the race for the league championship game following defeats to No. 19 Kansas and 15th-ranked Oklahoma State.
On the other hand, West Virginia has exceeded expectations this season. Initially predicted to finish last in the 14-team league, the Mountaineers have already secured bowl eligibility, and their recent two-game winning streak has kept their hopes of making the Big 12 title game alive. However, they will need to continue their winning streak and receive significant help from other teams in order to achieve this feat. West Virginia will not face Texas, the other co-leader of the league, or any of the three teams currently involved in a five-way tie for third place with West Virginia and Oklahoma – Iowa State, Kansas, or Kansas State.
Meanwhile, No. 7 Texas (8-1, 5-1) will be facing TCU (4-5, 2-4). The Horned Frogs, last year’s national runner-up, are aiming to become bowl eligible but hold a strong record of 8-3 against Texas since joining the Big 12. This meeting marks the last scheduled encounter between the in-state rivals, whose campuses are less than 200 miles apart. As the Big 12’s last hope for a College Football Playoff berth this year, Texas is determined to win their first conference title since 2009. Notably, the Longhorns have scored 30 points or more in each of their first nine games this season, a historic achievement for the program.
In other news, Kansas junior cornerback Mello Dotson has grabbed interceptions for touchdowns in the last two games, becoming the fourth Jayhawks player to achieve two Pick-6s in a single season and the first to do so in consecutive games. Kansas will be hosting Texas Tech, a team that has thrown the second-most interceptions in the league behind TCU.
In terms of bowl eligibility, six Big 12 teams have already secured the required six wins, and this number will increase following the match between Iowa State and BYU, both currently at 5-4. The Big 12 has eight guaranteed bowl slots. The Cyclones had competed in five straight bowls before missing out last year, while BYU has participated in bowls in 17 of the last 18 seasons but has witnessed a decline in form in recent games, suffering an average margin of defeat of nearly 31 points.
On an individual level, Oklahoma State’s sophomore running back Ollie Gordon II has achieved six consecutive 100-yard rushing games, making him the national leader with an average of 136.1 yards per game. Additionally, he leads the nation in runs of at least 20 yards (17) and 30 yards (13). Meanwhile, Cincinnati managed to have two 100-yard rushers in a single game for the third time in their history, breaking a school record. The duos have varied with each occurrence, highlighting the team’s depth and versatility.
In summary, Oklahoma’s hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff have significantly diminished, while West Virginia aims to continue their impressive season and secure a spot in the Big 12 title game. Texas faces TCU in a crucial game for both teams, as the Horned Frogs look to become bowl eligible, and the Longhorns strive for a conference title. Moreover, individual players such as Mello Dotson and Ollie Gordon II have been standout performers, making significant contributions to their respective teams. As the season progresses, the race for bowl eligibility intensifies, with Iowa State, BYU, and other Big 12 teams vying for a coveted postseason berth.
