This past Saturday made the path to Arlington, Texas, a little bit clearer. Not a whole lot, but some. The victories by Iowa State and Oklahoma guaranteed a wild finish to the 2020 Big 12 football season.
Big 12 Championship Game Scenarios
So how does each of the top teams get into the Big 12 Championship game?
Iowa State Cyclones (6-1)
This one is relatively simple. The Cyclones own the No. 1 spot in the Big 12 standings. Their lone loss is to Oklahoma State. If they beat the Longhorns on Friday they are in. A loss doesn’t knock them out, but Texas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State each have two losses in conference. If the Longhorns beat them, the Cyclones’ chances drop.
The Sooners, Cowboys and Longhorns could each win out setting up a four-way tie. In that scenario, the Cyclones would be out having a 1-2 record against the other three teams. The Oklahoma State Cowboys would as well having lost to both Oklahoma and Texas. The only way to ensure the Cyclones are in is by beating the Longhorns on Friday.
Oklahoma Sooners (5-2)
The Oklahoma Sooners made a statement in their rivalry game against Oklahoma State. The final score was 41-13, and they held the Cowboys scoreless in the second half. All Oklahoma needs to do is win out. If it comes to the four-way tie scenario, it is in.
The Sooners own the tiebreakers over Oklahoma State and Texas if it comes to a three-way-tie. The only way Oklahoma doesn’t make the playoff would be to lose to either West Virginia on the road or against Baylor at home to close the 2020 season. It is looking good for Lincoln Riley and company to return to Arlington, Texas, for the title game.
Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-2)
Three or so weeks ago, the Cowboys controlled their destiny. Once they lost in overtime to the Texas Longhorns, did their chances start to decline. The loss to Oklahoma is really what hurt their chances of playing in the Big 12 Championship game. Not only do they not have tiebreakers against Texas or Oklahoma, but they also now need help to make it.
Without a loss by Oklahoma and/or Texas in the next three weeks, the Cowboys could find themselves on the short end of the stick. Their lone victory over the top three came against Iowa State. The Cowboys now face Texas Tech, Texas Christian and Baylor. The team needs to focus on beating all three and getting some help.
Texas Longhorns (4-2)
The Texas Longhorns control their destiny in this crazy 2020 college football season. As long as they beat Iowa State on Friday, they are still in the tournament so to speak. A loss against the Cyclones effectively ends their season in terms of getting into the title game. That would essentially set up the Oklahoma-Iowa State rematch.
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The Longhorns have the Cyclones, then two trips to Kansas to face the Wildcats and Jayhawks. The two latter teams have been reeling. The big test is stopping Breece Hall and that offense. If Texas wins that game, you should see them getting to the title game.
Texas vs. Iowa State now feels like an elimination game.
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