STILLWATER — In his distinctive, pale yellow sportscoat, Jay Fields waited patiently for his chance.
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"Congratulations," the Fiesta Bowl representative told Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops. "I hope we see you."
That was about it. These days, that's all bowl reps do. No more smoke-filled rooms, not really.
A few feet away in another room in Gallagher-Iba Arena, two guys in navy blazers got a few minutes with Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy. They didn't say much more than Fields, but just so you know, the Independence Bowl hopes to see Oklahoma State, too.
See, in terms of bowls, Bedlam wasn't so bad for either team.
I know, it's Shreveport. But hold on, and I'll explain why it's good for the Cowboys.
First, OU.
The Sooners went into the weekend hoping to beat OSU and grab a BCS at-large berth — an iffy proposition, since LSU or the Arkansas-Florida loser would have at least as strong a case. But then, Texas A&M upset Texas — and OU's BCS chances opened wide.
OU must beat Nebraska to get to the Fiesta Bowl (which, by the way, would complete Bob Stoops' run of BCS bowls).
A loss, and OU would almost certainly head to the Gator Bowl. Although the Sooners have their hearts set on Glendale, Ariz., a trip to Jacksonville wouldn't be a bad consolation prize.
There's an outside shot the Gator might not take a Big 12 team, or would take Texas rather than waiting for the results of the Big 12 championship. In that scenario, OU would play in Dallas on New Year's Day.
The Sooners don't exactly see the Cotton Bowl as an exotic destination; more like a home away from home. But a matchup with Arkansas or Auburn would make for some good story lines.
But here's the best thing about OU's bowl picture: The math is finally simple. No more waiting and hoping other teams do this or that, whatever it takes to get into the BCS picture.
Win, and they're in.
"We control our own destiny now," senior linebacker Rufus Alexander said.
Which brings us to the Cowboys, and the guys in the navy blue blazers ? kudos, by the way, to the Independence Bowl for picking a color you could wear to dinner, not just to the game.
OSU finished 6-6, and lost a slim shot at the Alamo Bowl. But even though the Big 12 has nine bowl-eligible teams and just eight slots, OSU isn't in danger of missing the postseason.
To the contrary, OSU is probably headed to a better bowl than one team it lost to, and which has a better record. The Independence Bowl wants the Cowboys, and will take them over 7-5 Kansas State.
After five straight Big 12 North teams, Shreveport wants a team from the Big 12's better half. And even in a loss, the Cowboys' performance Saturday didn't hurt.
And now, are you ready for the matchup?
Les Miles is long gone — but he's still helping the Cowboys.
LSU's win Friday over Arkansas probably put Alabama into the Independence Bowl.
At 6-6, the Crimson Tide will get a bowl berth only if the SEC gets two teams into the BCS. But it's apparent 10-2 LSU is the most attractive at-large candidate to BCS bowls.
In attractiveness of matchup, at least, OSU might have an edge over OU.
The Gator Bowl is likely to have Clemson, or maybe Boston College. And the Fiesta Bowl gets the booby prize in Boise State.
Not that the Sooners are complaining.
Going bowling 11/26/2006 Going bowling Here are the Big 12's bowl projections by George Schroeder. Records are assumed once the regular season and conference championship games are...
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