FiveThirtyEight has Oklahoma Sooners in CFP; gives team 46 percent chance to

Programming note: In the latest episode of “As the Big 12 Turns”, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma occupy the roles formerly played by Baylor and TCU.

Here’s what’s on the line in this Week 12 battle: (a) The victor will move one step closer to entering into the College Football Playoff while the loser will be out of contention. Or, a win over Oklahoma and a Baylor loss.

Baylor head coach Art Briles and Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops shake hands at midfield before their game on November 14, 2015, in Waco. TCU has slid all the way to 9-1 and 25-1, while the odds on Baylor have plummeted to 12-1 and 55-1. Did I mention that these two still have to play each other?

Oklahoma State: WR James Washington. The Horned Frogs’ lone loss came two weeks ago when they last crossed the Red River to play Oklahoma State. – Oklahoma State wins with wins over Baylor and Oklahoma. At 12-0 the Cowboys are a lock for the playoff.

But he posted season lows for catches (three), yards (51) and touchdowns (zero) in last week’s 44-34 loss to Oklahoma, a performance Coleman termed “frustrating”.

No. 11 TCU (9-1, 6-1 Big 12, No. 18 CFP) at No. 7 Oklahoma (9-1, 6-1, No. 7 CFP). – Oklahoma loses to TCU, but beats Oklahoma State to finish 7-2. That certainly isn’t what those teams or the Big 12 conference wants, but it very well could be what they get.

With home field advantage, the better defense in this matchup and a healthy offense, Oklahoma State should be able to secure the victory to set the stage for a huge game against Oklahoma next week.

On the flip side, the Sooners would need TCU, OSU, and Baylor to all look strong in the playoff committee’s eyes.

Both teams can score big points, and both teams can win championships.

Work through this headache-inducing exercise, and it’s apparent how unlikely it is for things to go the Big 12’s way in the playoff chase. There are too many hazardous roadblocks.

The playoff is setting up like this: ACC champ Clemson, SEC champ (Alabama or Florida), Big Ten champ (Ohio State, MI State or Iowa) and either a one-loss Big 12 champ or Notre Dame.

At least the Big 12 doesn’t have to worry about the Pac-12, where every team has lost at least two games.

Fans at the United Center in Chicago watching the release of the College Football Playoff’s weekly poll probably mirrored a lot of Big 12 supporters Tuesday night.

And that team is doing pretty well in the SEC, right? The Razorbacks (6-4, 4-2) are now tied for second in the SEC West.