The stage is (almost) set.
Last week, we told you it was time for the Big 12 to press the panic button. This week, stand down. Exhale. Relax. The choppy waters have calmed a bit thanks to the third edition of the College Football Playoff selection committee’s rankings.
Oklahoma State is up to No. 6. Oklahoma moved from 12th to seventh. If both take care of business Saturday night, Bedlam could become a virtual playoff play-in game.
Notre Dame remains a strong No. 4, playoff committee chair Jeff Long said, and Iowa held onto its No. 5 spot. But the Big 12 is closing in.
“I’d certainly tell you that with the Big 12 teams as we anticipated -- we didn’t know which ones, with their schedule back-loaded -- we now see some of those teams emerging,” Long said Tuesday night. “Certainly Oklahoma State and Oklahoma are the two that have pushed their way up closer to that No. 5.”
Long admitted that, once again, the committee’s debate over how to rank teams No. 5 through 7 was a lengthy one. Those decision-makers continue to believe Iowa belongs ahead of the Big 12’s best. Long clarified that it's not so much because they’re more deserving but because they’re simply the better team.
Trevone Boykin and Josh Doctson injuries and the close call against Kansas.
The Horned Frogs are going to need as much help winning the Big 12 -- they must win out and Oklahoma State can’t win another game -- as they do cracking the final four. Still, the Frogs have a chance to play spoiler in Norman.
The committee was waiting to see which Big 12 teams emerged. Now that two are out in front, we’ll see if the league can put its best feet forward Saturday night.
Long reminded reporters Tuesday that conference title games will be a factor when this process is all said and done.
But if this weekend shakes out just right, the Big 12 might’ve lucked into its own virtual title game on Nov. 28.
http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/...with-bedlam-emerging-as-possible-play-in-game
Last week, we told you it was time for the Big 12 to press the panic button. This week, stand down. Exhale. Relax. The choppy waters have calmed a bit thanks to the third edition of the College Football Playoff selection committee’s rankings.
Oklahoma State is up to No. 6. Oklahoma moved from 12th to seventh. If both take care of business Saturday night, Bedlam could become a virtual playoff play-in game.
Notre Dame remains a strong No. 4, playoff committee chair Jeff Long said, and Iowa held onto its No. 5 spot. But the Big 12 is closing in.
“I’d certainly tell you that with the Big 12 teams as we anticipated -- we didn’t know which ones, with their schedule back-loaded -- we now see some of those teams emerging,” Long said Tuesday night. “Certainly Oklahoma State and Oklahoma are the two that have pushed their way up closer to that No. 5.”
Long admitted that, once again, the committee’s debate over how to rank teams No. 5 through 7 was a lengthy one. Those decision-makers continue to believe Iowa belongs ahead of the Big 12’s best. Long clarified that it's not so much because they’re more deserving but because they’re simply the better team.
Trevone Boykin and Josh Doctson injuries and the close call against Kansas.
The Horned Frogs are going to need as much help winning the Big 12 -- they must win out and Oklahoma State can’t win another game -- as they do cracking the final four. Still, the Frogs have a chance to play spoiler in Norman.
The committee was waiting to see which Big 12 teams emerged. Now that two are out in front, we’ll see if the league can put its best feet forward Saturday night.
Long reminded reporters Tuesday that conference title games will be a factor when this process is all said and done.
But if this weekend shakes out just right, the Big 12 might’ve lucked into its own virtual title game on Nov. 28.
http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/...with-bedlam-emerging-as-possible-play-in-game
