5 reasons Houston Cougars are national title contenders

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Baker Mayfield and the Oklahoma Sooners had a rough day at the office against No. 15 Houston.

Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is sacked by Houston Cougars defensive tackle Ed Oliver (10) for a loss on third down in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Beating Oklahoma hamstrings Big 12

With the Pac-12 and Notre Dame falling out of the College Football Playoff picture in Week 1, Houston needed one other Power 5 conference to slip to seize control of a projected Playoff spot. By dominating Oklahoma, Houston knocked the entire Big 12 down a peg.

This upset victory over the Sooners was a perfect storm for the Cougars. Oklahoma was viewed as the presumed favorite to win the Big 12 over contenders like the Baylor Bears, the Oklahoma State Cowboys, and the TCU Horned Frogs. The Sooners are considered to have the best defensive personnel in the Big 12.

Oklahoma will have to win out to have a shot at the College Football Playoff. Every team that the Sooners beat this fall is going to look worse because Group of 5 Houston beat Oklahoma. Oklahoma State and maybe even a dark horse like Texas can run the table in the Big 12 to keep Houston out, but that feels unlikely.

The best part of this win for Houston is that it essentially guarantees the Cougars will get the other Big 12 invitation along with The American’s Cincinnati Bearcats. The Big 12 wants the Southern Ohio media market and a nearby school for West Virginia to develop a new rivalry with. Houston’s victory over Oklahoma puts the Big 12 on notice and the Cougars on the College Football Playoff map in Week 2.

Next: 3. A chance at perfection with hardest game out of the way

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