Oklahoma up to 3, Clemson and Alabama still 1-2

An inexplicable midseason loss to archrival Texas was an emphatic game-changer to the OU football season. The Sooners (11-1, 8-1 Big 12) pounded Bedlam rival and 11th-ranked Oklahoma State 58-23 in the unofficial Big 12 championship game.

Baker Mayfield’s performance might not’ve been enough for a Heisman Trophy but the Oklahoma quarterback likely did enough to get the No. 3 Sooners into the College Football Playoff.

SLOWING PERINE: Oklahoma State won 38-35 in overtime a year ago, but Oklahoma was in control before bruising running back Samaje Perine was knocked out of the game in the third quarter with a severely sprained left ankle. The Cowboys want to avoid long-yardage situations because the Sooners lead the conference in sacks.

The Sooners are rolling, despite an embarrassing loss on the resume. That is an average score of 52-19. After a hectic Saturday night, they’ll deservedly have that chance.

Oklahoma running back Alex Ross (28) is tackled by Oklahoma State cornerback Miketavius Jones in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015.

“We’ll try to stay focused on the task at hand”, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said.

The Big 12 avoided the same drama it went through previous year by actually having One True Champion. That is the most of any team in the conference. And while he has a penchant for big plays and escapes when his team is in trouble, he also uses great decisions in the option game to make Oklahoma’s offense one of the most efficient in the nation, according to S&P+. The Horned Frogs were also leaped in the final rankings by Baylor, which had beaten TCU head-to-head and beat ranked Kansas State in its regular-season finale. The Sooners have had 13 seasons under Stoops in which the team has had at least 10 wins. OU had no business losing that game, and yet they did.

Oklahoma State rushed for eight yards in last week’s loss to Baylor…. It’s going to take major upsets of Alabama or Clemson for Stanford or Ohio State to even have a prayer at the playoff. The two backs combined for 267 yards against the Cowboys, with explosive runs of 68 and 66 yards, respectively. Mixon gained 136 yards on the ground, including two rushing touchdowns. Ross returned the kickoff 90 yards to the 4, setting up Oklahoma’s first touchdown a play later when Baker Mayfield hit Sterling Shepard for the score.

Passing Defense: Jordan Thomas changed this game with two interceptions, including a pick-six, in the second quarter. It was the Sooners third defensive touchdown of the season.

Mayfield has completed 69 percent of his passes, with 32 touchdowns and five interceptions.