Oklahoma State Vs. Oklahoma Preview And Live Stream: Cowboys Search For National Respect, Or At Least Some Attention
ByI'd like to introduce you to the most neglected college football team in the nation: Oklahoma State (11-1). They're currently ranked sixth in the country, and are tied for the second best or third best record (depending how you look at it) in the entire FCS after Northern Illinois' first loss of the season last night. (Side note: the Northern Illinois Huskies don't seem too concerned about finals; they've played on Wednesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday the last four weeks).
If you're not in the SEC and aren't undefeated, you're just not worthy these days. The Cowboys weren't even close to the biggest story in the Big 12 this year or probably even the second and maybe not even the third. Baylor's undefeated record, 60 plus points per game average, and Heisman-worthy quarterback were attracting most of the country's attention, until they were beaten soundly, 49-17, by Oklahoma State. Texas' up and down season and potential head coaching vacancy also probably put them ahead of the Cowboys before the Baylor game. Finally, there is Oklahoma (9-2), whom Oklahoma State will play today at 12:00 p.m EST, and their tradition of excellence that naturally keeps them in front of the Cowboys when it comes to the national media.
A loss today, which would likely set Oklahoma State outside the top ten, would be more impactful for the Cowboys than a win, which would only move them past the loser of Auburn-Missouri and Ohio State if they also lose (and maybe even Florida State if they lose, which they won't). That's just how it's going to be for non-SEC teams this year. A victory against the seventeenth ranked Sooner will only give the Cowboys a chance to prove their conference's mettle in a BCS Bowl game.
OK State also happens to be extremely hot; they've won seven in a row, and three of the last four against ranked teams by a combined 75 points.
Saturday's noon matchup won't be a conference championship game -- the Big 12 is one of the few conferences that don't hold one -- and a win by the Cowboys will only force a tie between the winner of the Texas-Baylor Game, but an OK State victory would clinch a Fiesta Bowl. Even if Baylor wins, they'll likely miss out on a BCS bowl if OK State does the same