The college football nation tuned in Thursday to the rare spectacle of two Big East teams with national title hopes. Whether they knew it or not, the Oklahoma Sooners had something at stake, as well.
A West Virginia win over Louisville had the potential to push Oklahoma toward the Gator Bowl. Instead, the Sooners might be on track for the Cotton Bowl.
Or not.
Thing is, with four weeks of football left, the bowl picture has begun to clear — but it remains pretty cloudy, just the same.
“It’s all over the map right now,” Holiday Bowl executive director Bruce Binkowski said.
Literally, in the case of OU and Oklahoma State. At this point, OU’s postseason options run from Shreveport to Glendale, Ariz. (though a BCS berth is extremely unlikely). Oklahoma State, meanwhile, could play anywhere from Houston to Dallas (a BCS berth is mathematically possible, but realistically impossible).
We’ll know a little more tonight. Maybe a lot more.
Because although OU would be very attractive to plenty of bowl executives, the Sooners’ fate is contingent on what happens the rest of the way — starting at Texas A&M.
And over in Austin, Texas, as well.
OSU’s