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Projected College Football Playoff Rankings after Oklahoma wins Big 12

By David Rouben

Dec 3, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners coaches and players take a team photo with the Big 12 championship trophy after the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners coaches and players take a team photo with the Big 12 championship trophy after the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oklahoma Sooners used their high-powered offense to beat Oklahoma State and finish the Big 12 with a 9-0 record. Was it enough to get into the playoff?

It was a great day in Norman. The Oklahoma Sooners re-asserted their dominance over their in-state rivals and clinched their second Big 12 Championship in a row. It was the first time in four years that the Bedlam Series went to the home team and the 12th win out of the last 14 in the rivalry series that the Sooners emerged victoriously.

For the first half, it looked like it would be a close game. The Cowboys did a good job of stopping the run and hung with the Sooners on offense. Once Dede Westbrook got hurt, it looked like the offense would falter, but they have too many weapons to do that. They were much more successful running the ball in the second half, getting 246 yards while both Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon gashed the Cowboys for big plays down the stretch.

As far as the College Football Playoff, the Sooners were on the outside looking in. They entered the week ranked ninth, with Colorado both teams in the Big Ten Championship ahead of them. Obviously, Colorado’s loss allows them to move up, but they still need a lot to go their way if they want to make the Playoff.

With that in mind, here’s an updated look at what the College Football Playoff’s Top 10 should look like after the Oklahoma win.

  1. Alabama
  2. Ohio State 
  3. Clemson
  4. Washington
  5. Michigan
  6. Wisconsin
  7. Penn State
  8. Oklahoma 
  9. USC
  10. Oklahoma State

Obviously, there’s still the SEC, ACC and Big Ten Championship Games left to play, so this can change. Wisconsin and Penn State will sort itself out later, but many feel neither can get in ahead of Washington after what they did last night. And if they can’t sneak in, neither can Oklahoma who is ranked below them. However, they should still move ahead of the Big Ten loser by the end of the day.

If Alabama and Clemson win, that Top 4 is locked in. If Clemson loses, either Michigan or the Big Ten winner will likely get in ahead of Oklahoma. They’ve treated the Big Ten favorably all year, and there’s no reason to think that won’t change in this instance. And no matter how good Oklahoma looked in the Big 12, their two non-conference losses to Houston and Ohio State can’t be overlooked.

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That said, Oklahoma is a team that nobody wants to face. They looked great against a Top 10 team without Dede Westbrook, and now he has a month to heal up before their next game. If they don’t make it to the Playoff, they’ll be in the Sugar Bowl, most likely against Auburn, which will make it a fun game. But right now, the Sooners shouldn’t think about the Playoffs — they should be enjoying this great win.

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