ESPN analysts break down Big 12 contenders chances of making College Football Playoffs

The Big 12 still has a chance at the College Football Playoff, thanks to the three top teams in the conference. And with Bedlam on the schedule for next week, plus the Big 12 championship game, we could see Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, or even Baylor represent their conference in this year’s playoffs.

Of the top three teams, the lowest-ranked are the Sooners at 10. And the hosts of the College Football Playoff show gave their point of view on the Sooners, Bears, and Cowboys rankings.

The Oklahoma Sooners

“They play Oklahoma State and honestly, they’ve had their number. So, I think, when you look at Caleb Williams this offense, it’s a huge test. Respect the team against Oklahoma State,” said David Pollack. “They are not done yet. They’re still alive. I don’t know there’s a lot of life, but they’re still kicking around,”

“Hey, look if you beat the Pokes twice, you certainly help make your case with quality wins,” said host Rece Davis.

The Sooners have a chance to rack up two top-25 wins against the Oklahoma State Cowboys — first this Saturday in their annual game known as Bedlam, and if then they win there they will face them again in the Big 12 championship game.

Baylor Bears still have a chance

The Baylor Bears move up to the number eight spot after a hard-fought road win against the Kansas State Wildcats. With them having two losses on the season, their only hope is to win and for the Sooners to lose next week’s game against the Cowboys, to make it to the Big 12 championship.

“Baylor has to have things fall right, but Dave Aranda’s team can still get into the Big 12 championship game with a win and an Oklahoma State win,” said Davis.

“Yeah, I mean that’s very realistic for them. And Dave Aranda’s team, first of all one of the greatest turn around stories in 2021. You could make a debate between what Jim Harbaugh is done up to this point and what Dave Aranda is doing at Baylor; a chance to get realistically to ten wins. And then they have to sit there and watch Bedlam. As you said man, they’re an Oklahoma State win away and a win away themselves for getting a shot to win a Big 12 championship. After where they were last year, man that’s an impressive effort by those players and by Dave Aranda and that staff,” said Kirk Herbstreit.

The Cowboys kings of the Big 12 and a CFP birth?

Last but not least, is the highest-ranked Big 12 team in the College Football Playoff rankings, the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

“I wondered if Oklahoma State by virtue of the fact that not only they won ten games, their defense, their defense has allowed one touchdown in the last four games. One of the other touchdowns they allowed, the offense gave up on a scoop and score,” Davis questioned. “So, with them having an elite-level defense, why are they in the No.7 spot and Notre Dame ahead of them this week?

Pollack gave his best explanation for the move.

“The thing is about Notre Dame being above them, Notre Dame is almost done. Listen top seven to me are very much in play big time, but they’ve got a chance with many more opportunities to jump Notre dame and be very much right in the mix at the end of this,” said Pollack.

To close, Herbstreit had this to say about the most interesting storyline of the teams ranked 7-10.

“I think where Oklahoma State sit, with two big games still ahead of them potentially. If they’re able to knock off Oklahoma and get a shot to win a big 12 championship, it really would be exciting to see what happens ahead of them,” said Herbstreit.

The Cowboys have already cemented their spot in the Big 12 championship game. But if they can upset their in-state rivals, the Oklahoma Sooners, they will face the eighth-ranked Baylor Bears. And that sets them up for potentially two top-ten victories to end the season.

The complete CFP top 25 rankings