The Big 12 has a tough path to the College Football Playoff
With Oklahoma facing Texas in the Red River Showdown on Saturday afternoon, the Big 12 could add to their already-uphill battle to get to the College Football Playoff. For now, Oklahoma State might be their best bet to enter the top-4, with Texas a distant second assuming they take care of business against the Sooners. Nothing can be taken for granted in this wild Big 12 season, though, and the most likely option would be every contender knocking each other off, one by one.
Urban Meyer agrees with this synopsis, which is why he continued to bury the Big 12’s playoff chances on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show.
Meyer left little doubt how he feels about the Big 12 this season
“It’s almost a street fight for that fourth position,” Meyer said. “The last few years the Big 12 had Oklahoma. In my opinion the Big 12 is done. So who does that open the doors for? A one loss Notre Dame because they have to play Clemson, and a one loss Penn state (team) because they have to play Ohio State. Those are two excellent football teams. If I was the coach of those teams I’d say we have a shot now. That spot is going to be open now or a two loss SEC school.”
Tom Herman and Lincoln Riley rely on Playoff spots to justify their large paychecks, with the former facing some heat from Longhorn fans for not yet taking his proud program to the promised land. Yet, Meyer doesn’t consider either team a legitimate contender for the fourth playoff spot.
“All due respect to Oklahoma,” Meyer continued. “You’re talking about Alabama, Florida, Georgia. You’re talking about Penn State and Notre Dame. Those are teams with high level talent.”
The Big 12’s fate is uncertain as ever, and the standings would suggest nothing less. With Iowa State, Kansas State and Oklahoma State all tied atop the conference at 2-0, your guess is as good as any pundit’s as to which team will reign supreme when all is said and done in this crazy college football season.
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