BCS Standings 2011: Will Big Ten Title Game Push Wisconsin Past Oklahoma?

This year, Oklahoma find themselves in an interesting position. After Nebraska and Colorado left for new conferences, the Big 12 was left without the ability to have a conference title game. 

What this has done is taken away a final showcase for Oklahoma to make its mark and prove its worth in the eyes of the voters.

Conversely, the Big Ten is no longer on the outside looking in during the last week of the season, because adding Nebraska has given them the opportunity to have a conference title fight of their own.

When looking at Oklahoma's schedule, things have gone extremely wrong for them in terms of strength of schedule.

After the Sooners beat Florida State on the road, the Seminoles have gone downhill and lost three straight. This past week, they dismantled the Longhorns, which is likely to happen again this week.

What the Sooners have to be hoping is that Kansas State, Baylor, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State take care of business and remain ranked until they play them.  

On the other side of the nation, Wisconsin has strength of schedule issues themselves. While their win over Nebraska is impressive, there is a chance that the Badgers will not play another ranked team the rest of the way. Their only hope is that Illinois continues to win and impress until they meet up.

While the Big Ten title game is something that is important and will certainly help them late in the year, the Sooners have too much going for them to be passed by the Badgers.

What Oklahoma will have to do is treat their end-of-the-year game against Oklahoma State as their conference title. This shouldn't be hard to do considering the Cowboys have as good of a chance of being undefeated as the Sooners do. 

Where Wisconsin is in trouble is with Ohio State. The Buckeyes are really hurting this year and have looked extremely unimpressive all year. This was once viewed as a huge matchup, but now has lost some of its luster.

Regardless of the schedule and rankings, Wisconsin and Oklahoma are at the midway point and still must take care of the games on the field. If the Badgers are hoping to jump the Sooners in the rankings, they need to be hoping for a loss rather than counting on their conference title game.