BCS Standings 2011: How No. 5 Oklahoma State Cowboys Fit In Going Forward

The first 2011 BCS standings are finally out, and the Oklahoma State Cowboys are in the Top 5.

The Cowboys are one of few teams with an actual shot this year to go undefeated and win that coveted crystal ball. However, it won't be easy, and they still have much more to accomplish to get there.

Here's where they are, where they've been and where they're going.

How They Got Here

The Cowboys opened up their season with a win over Louisiana and followed that up with wins over Tulsa, Arizona and Texas A&M.

The Texas A&M win really put the Cowboys on the map, since it was on national television and was over a Top 10 opponent.

A win over Kansas last week by 42 points showcased the Cowboys' offensive prowess, while a win this past week at Texas showed that the Cowboys are one of the best road teams in the nation.

Best Win

At Texas A&M, Sept. 24.

The Cowboys' win over Texas A&M has to be their best. Coming back from a 17-point halftime deficit is no easy feat, especially on the  road against a Top 10 opponent.

Brandon Weeden threw for 438 yards and two touchdowns, while Justin Blackmon caught 11 passes for 121 yards and one touchdown.

It was this win that put the Cowboys on the national map and put them in the minds of poll voters.

BCS Ranking

The Cowboys are ranked as an impressive No. 4 in the inaugural BCS rankings, due in large part to a tough schedule and big road wins over Texas A&M and Texas.

In fact, Oklahoma State is one of just two teams to win twice of Top 25 opponents on the road. The other is No. 1 ranked LSU.

The computers love the Cowboys, ranking them at No. 1 overall. It appears the Cowboys fortunes are in their own hands.

Remaining Schedule

The Cowboys still have a tough remaining schedule:

"

at Missouri

vs. Baylor

vs. Kansas State

at Texas Tech

at Iowa State

vs. Oklahoma

"

The potential pitfall here is obvious. The Cowboys' Dec. 3 matchup with Oklahoma is clear and away their most difficult test yet. If they can get through the rest of the schedule unscathed, then the bedlam matchup will be for the Big 12 title and a national championship berth.

Bowl Projection

Ultimately, the Cowboys will be unable to overcome conference rival Oklahoma and will fall to 11-1. They will, however, reach the program's first ever BCS game.

The Cowboys will face Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl as the No. 2 team out of the Big 12.

The Cowboys will then defeat Boise State by a slim margin to win their first BCS Bowl and finish at a school record of 12-1.