Maybe. Maybe not.
Stoops said Tuesday a playoff might be necessary if BCS conference teams continue to pad their early-season schedules with weak non-conference opponents.
“If you look at the polls right now, it is all slotted by wins and losses,” said Stoops, previously a staunch supporter of the BCS. “In the end, you are not given any credit for playing a tough schedule, or winning in a tight game.
“My point being is the need for a playoff shows up in those areas. Why should we play Miami next year? Why shouldn’t we just play four easy, non-conference games and make sure you have your four wins? I see the need any more for (a playoff).”
Unlike Tuberville, Petrino and Leach, however, the OU coach isn’t officially calling for a change.
Not yet anyway.
“I’m not in favor of a playoff. I might be by the end of the year — I don’t know,” he said. “But I see more and more some of the valid reasons why maybe it would be good. I’m not saying I’m for it. I’m on the fence right now.”
Earlier this season, Stoops highlighted his preference for the BCS system by referring to the regular season as a “12-game playoff.” Back then, his point was that if a team took care of its business on the field — winning — the national championship picture would take care of itself.
But that was before Oregon. And Texas.
Now, the Sooners — once ranked as high as No. 5 in the country — sit 7-2 overall and second in the Big 12 South. And while Stoops said it’s obvious to pollsters some of the struggles his team has faced this season, he wouldn’t lobby for position in the BCS or national rankings.
“They’d tear me apart,” he said. “No one’s going to change their opinion... All we focus on is what we can do something about. And that’s this week.”
Oklahoma takes on Texas Tech at 6 p.m. Saturday in Norman.
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