STILLWATER — Less than two months after trying the a part of a College Football Playoff contender, Oklahoma State finds itself on the tail finish of a 7-5 common season that leaves its bowl future in a multitude of uncertainty.
The Cowboys are nonetheless an thrilling workforce with some nationwide recognition, and good tv scores, even within the latter a part of the season.
But dropping 5 of the ultimate seven video games took some shine off what this system gives bowl executives proper now.
With six Big 12 groups jammed in the midst of the standings between 8-4 and 6-6, the choice course of is troublesome to foretell heading into Sunday, when matchups shall be introduced.
In phrases of Big 12 bowl tie-ins, the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio will get the primary decide after the New Year’s Six bowls are set.
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It appears just about inconceivable that the Cowboys could be the primary workforce off the heap, but they may slide in nearly wherever else after that.
The good news for OSU followers is that they don’t want to fret about scoreboard-watching. This weekend’s motion shouldn’t affect the Pokes’ vacation spot, solely the doable opponent.
The Big 12 has eight bowl-eligible groups, and TCU is just about assured both a playoff spot or a New Year’s Six bowl. And Kansas State is mainly locked into the Sugar Bowl, whatever the Big 12 title recreation consequence. The solely factor that might derail that plan is that if TCU wins the Big 12 championship but by some means doesn’t get a playoff berth.
Here’s a have a look at the almost definitely bowl locations for OSU and who they may face:
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Cheez-It Bowl
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. Dec. 29, Orlando, Fla.
Cowboys’ possibilities: It’s trying much less seemingly that Orlando is the vacation spot spot for OSU. The Pokes have been there in two of the earlier 5 years, and the bowl organizers may need to seize a more energizing face. Of the opposite Big 12 choices, solely OU and Baylor have been to the Orlando recreation, and neither since 2015. Texas may nonetheless be accessible right here, and as you’ll see beneath, North Carolina — coached by former Longhorn chief Mack Brown — is a potential opponent. Given the possibility, it will be arduous for anybody to cross up that matchup.
Who they might face: The Big 12 will draw an ACC opponent right here. Unless North Carolina pulls the upset over Clemson within the convention title recreation, the Tar Heels are a severe contender. Florida State is an possibility as properly. OSU has by no means confronted North Carolina. Florida State has a 4-1 file in opposition to the Pokes, the final assembly a 37-31 FSU win in 2014.
Major projections: 247 Sports vs. North Carolina, Sporting News vs. North Carolina
More: Checking Oklahoma State’s redshirt tracker, high gamers of the season
Texas Bowl
Kickoff: 8 p.m. Dec. 28, Houston
Cowboys’ possibilities: Lots of nationwide writers undertaking this, and it is sensible. The Cowboys have a great fanbase within the Houston space and would carry a good crowd. But it may come all the way down to what the opposite bowls do earlier than this decide. OU has by no means been to the Texas Bowl, so officers may soar on the probability to herald the Sooners. Baylor is nearer to Houston and may supply extra promising ticket gross sales. OSU was there in 2019, when it misplaced to Texas A&M, so the bowl reps know what they’re getting with the Cowboys.
Who they might face: While many of us undertaking the Cowboys right here, the potential opponents are in all places, because it’s a decide from the center of the SEC lineup. Mississippi State, and always-entertaining head coach Mike Leach, may head the checklist, but Kentucky, Florida, Missouri, which OSU performed within the 2018 Liberty Bowl, or Arkansas, which is on OSU’s future schedules beginning in 2024, might be choices.
Major projections: ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura vs. Mississippi State, ESPN’s Mark Schlabaugh vs. Missouri, CBS Sports vs. Kentucky, CollegeFootballNews.com vs. Mississippi State, SI.com vs. Arkansas
More:How did Oklahoma State football lose to West Virginia? ‘Three performs is the distinction’
Liberty Bowl
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. Dec. 28, Memphis
Cowboys’ possibilities: Like above, all of it is determined by who is offered right here. Would the Liberty Bowl go for the thought of reigniting the Kansas-Missouri rivalry, thus dipping all the way down to the underside of the Big 12 pool? Would it’s drawn to pitting OU offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby in opposition to his former boss, Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss? Maybe. But one thing like Mike Gundy in opposition to Kentucky’s Mark Stoops may carry some juice, too.
Who they might face: This is one other Big 12-SEC matchup, so the checklist of groups that have been doable for the Texas Bowl may additionally find yourself right here. Someone like Ole Miss, which the Cowboys have performed in three bowl video games over the previous 20 years, may pop up as properly.
Major projections: Action Network vs. Kentucky, USA Today vs. Arkansas
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Guaranteed Rate Bowl
Kickoff: 9:15 p.m., Dec. 27, Phoenix
Cowboys’ possibilities: Most seemingly, that is so far as they’d fall, which might be an odd bookend to the 2022 calendar yr. It started with a Jan. 1 win over Notre Dame within the Fiesta Bowl and will finish again within the Phoenix space in a lesser recreation in opposition to a bottom-level Big Ten workforce. But the climate ought to be good.
Who they might face: The Big Ten supplies the opponent right here, with Maryland and Wisconsin seeming the almost definitely. Those are two groups the Pokes have by no means confronted, so it will supply some intrigue from that perspective.
Major projections: Athlon Sports vs. Maryland
More:Tramel: Oklahoma State football loss to West Virginia a becoming tribute to 2022 season
Other prospects
Frisco Bowl: Dec. 17 in Frisco, Texas, vs. Group of Five opponent
Armed Forces Bowl: Dec. 22 in Fort Worth, Texas vs. AAC or C-USA opponent
First Responder Bowl: Dec. 27 in Dallas, vs. ACC or AAC opponent
Cowboys’ possibilities: It looks as if a stretch that OSU would fall to the underside of the checklist of bowl-eligible Big 12 groups, but you by no means know.
Major projection: None
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