Fiesta Bowl 2012: What Does Oklahoma State's Win over Stanford Mean?

If you wanted a high-scoring affair that was lacking in defense but chock full of so much action and drama that the good times oozed into overtime, then the 2012 BCS Fiesta Bowl was for you.

Yes, the team with only 17 rushing yards beat the team that rushed for 243 yards but missed a field goal in the finals seconds of regulation and then again during overtime.

We know now that Oklahoma State’s offensive prowess really is enough to make up for a defense that gave up 590 yards, 27 first downs and lost the time of possession battle 41:47 to 18:13 but other than all those interesting stats and the final score what does it all mean?

Does it mean that since the Cowboys managed 41 points over the No. 23 ranked scoring defense in the land (which subsequently is the best defense they faced all season) that they could have hung 368 yards and 40-plus points on LSU’s No. 2 ranked defense?

And what does the 41-38 OSU win mean if LSU drops the second coming of the game of the century vs. Alabama and then all three teams each have one loss?

It seems virtually impossible that a “split championship” will be awarded (outside of the AP awarding Oklahoma State a non-BCS title) because regardless of the outcome of the BCS national championship the USA Today vote combined with final BCS computer rankings have already clearly stated who No. 1 and No. 2 are.

And this fact means that we know that there are only two realistic options for a final No. 1 BCS ranking…LSU or Alabama.

But on a larger front what does this mean for Oklahoma State and teams like the Cowboys?

Indeed, what about other non-traditional powerhouse BCS teams (think Michigan State, Kansas State, Cincinnati, Missouri, etc.) who have done everything to put themselves in position to play for the big cheesy enchilada but who are left out of the equation due to computer rankings and voters who opt for the big names?

And, then they win their bowl games to heap another log on the fire.

Can teams like Oklahoma State ever shake the “second-tier” label and be treated like Oklahoma, Alabama, Texas, Ohio State and USC?

It’s easy to argue that if the exact same scenario that occurred in 2011 happened with Texas’ name replacing Oklahoma State’s then the Longhorns would be facing LSU in a title thriller instead of the Crimson Tide.

Yes, if Texas went 11-1 and won the Big 12 crown then they would play next Monday night in New Orleans and Alabama would be playing in the Sugar Bowl this Tuesday evening.

It’s hard to take anything away from Oklahoma State’s first ever ascendancy to the BCS, their first ever BCS win via a thriller against a great Stanford squad and the Cowboys first ever 12-win season but still the argument persists…who is the No. 2 team?

In the current system we live under Alabama is that team, no ifs ands and buts, but you have to wonder where teams like Oklahoma State fit into the equation moving forward.