Earlier, Stanford’s BCS at-large hopes took one huge step closer to coming to fruition with an LSU loss at the hands of rival Arkansas. Now, that dream, coupled with the Cardinal’s 38-0 win over Oregon State, has become all but a reality with one-loss Oklahoma State dropping the ball (for the eighth year in a row) against Oklahoma.
Congratulations, Stanford. Oklahoma State’s ineptitude to defeat their in-state rival is your early Christmas present.
Look, it has been a great regular season for Oklahoma State, who surpassed many expectations. After losing Dez Bryant, Russell Okung and Zac Robinson, you have to hand it to Mike Gundy and the job he’s been able to do there.
But the Cowboys still haven’t gotten over that Bedlam hurdle. If there was ever a blemish on Gundy’s resume (besides, you know, declaring his manhood to local media), it’s been his inability to beat Oklahoma. And if there were ever a year where Oklahoma State could finally win the Big 12 South, with Texas down, Oklahoma inconsistent on the road and an early season victory over Texas A&M, it was this one.
Gundy will get that win someday. It just has to be painful knowing he had the opportunity tonight.
Sunday’s BCS standings will ultimately reveal whether Texas A&M or Oklahoma will meet Nebraska at the Big 12 title game, but one thing is pretty clear: the BCS will not take a pair of two or three-loss Big 12 teams.
That means Stanford, “traveling fans” and all, will likely find their way in either the Orange Bowl or the Fiesta Bowl.
Some injury news and notes:
Oklahoma running back Demarco Murray’s health will be in question during the week leading up to the showdown in Dallas. Murray, who has been often plagued by injuries throughout his career, took a helmet to his knee during the fourth quarter of the win. He did not return to the game.
Murray’s counterpart, Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon, also was visibly bothered by his ankle injury that has kept him day-to-day through much of the week. Still, Blackmon had 8 catches for 105 yards, his 11th consecutive 100-yard receiving game this season.