Oklahoma State is hunted down… and out of the playoff

If we win out and claim the Big 12 championship and we miss out on the playoff, you can write me about how I got your hopes up these last few weeks. Don’t. It was an unsettling glimpse at College Football Playoff cannibalism.

Baylor quarterback Jarrett Stidham took several hard hits in the first half and did not play after the break. That’s when Baylor ran their lead out to 38-14 and then managed to hold on for a 10-point win that was much more impressive than even that score seems. Oklahoma State looked dazed and confused as a once-rowdy Boone Pickens Stadium crowd was left stunned.

Criticizing play-calling is too easy, often misplaced and not something we try to do too often around here. We’re going to need you.

“I thought our guys fought”. “We’re playing a great team in Baylor”. He would end the game with just 5 catches for 77 yards. Oklahoma, Florida, MI State, and even North Carolina could win out and make convincing arguments for why they should be included in the playoffs as well.

If Baylor wins its next two, and Oklahoma loses at Oklahoma State, the Bears would be the Big 12 champion, and we know the kind of weight conference championships are supposed to carry come selection time, especially if Notre Dame is still sitting there with one loss.

Oklahoma State is 5-0 SU in its last five games.

In rushing, the final stat sheet reflected a profound mismatch. Baylor rushed for 304 yards.

James Washington and Jalen McClesky each hauled in a pair of touchdowns for OSU.

With Stidham, Baylor built a 24-10 lead over Oklahoma State.

“Well ‘none, ‘ I’m not sure, but I understand that’s a better story”, drawled Baylor coach Art Briles.

Sophomore Chris Johnson would quarterback the Bears after halftime, and he was extremely effective.

Adams’ 98-yard touchdown in the second quarter marked the longest play from scrimmage and the longest touchdown run in Notre Dame history, as well as the longest play from scrimmage by any player in the nation this season.

The Johnson-to-Cannon TD gave the Bears a 38-14 cushion. No. 8 Florida struggled to beat Florida Atlantic, and No. 3 Ohio State suffered a home loss, but did so to No. 9 MI State. While victory is indeed sweet, winning sometimes comes at a cost. This time, there would be no comeback.

When the Cowboys hosted then-undefeated TCU on November 7, OSU jolted the visitors with immediate aggression and precision. Which one gets back on track here?

After trailing 30-13 in the fourth quarter, TCU had a chance to tie the score after Kohlhausen’s 14-yard touchdown pass to Emanuel Porter with 51 seconds remaining. The star is Wendell Smallwood, who went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark against the Longhorns.

Oklahoma State has outperformed its metrics in starting 10-0.

Add Baylor to the list.

Oklahoma State is 4-1 ATS in its last five games. Who will win this game?

Kevin Peterson is enjoying a strong senior season and more than likely it’ll be his task to keep eyes on Corey Coleman who is having an explosive season of over 1200 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns. Twice in the first half, OSU inserted Walsh for Mason Rudolph on third-and-short.

Johnson’s first pass, the eighth of his career, went for a 39-yard touchdown to Jay Lee on the Bears’ first possession.

Until Saturday night, the highlight of Johnson’s season had come against Rice, when he made one grab for 20 yards in the Bears’ 70-17 win. Jarret Stidham completed 16 of 27 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions. At least until it has the ball inside the 10.

Ohio State’s quarterback position has been a revolving door for most of the season, but the Buckeyes offense moves best with J.T. Barrett behind center.