Oklahoma State Football 2011: Bowl Projections for the Cowboys

The Oklahoma State Cowboys are off to their best start since the 1940s. They are 9-0 for just the second time ever and appear to be on the fast track to a BCS National Championship Game appearance.

However, they do still have games to play, so their bowl destination is anything but set in stone. There are actually a few different bowls that the Cowboys could go to.

Here are some of the top contenders and my prediction as to which bowl will eventually nab them.

Cotton Bowl

First off, let me assure you that this one is a long shot. And that’s a good thing.

Going to the Cotton Bowl would be a major disappointment for the Cowboys after the season they have had so far. It would require them to lose at least two of their next three games.

While that is possible, considering that they have to play Texas Tech on the road and Oklahoma at home, it is still very unlikely.

Possible opponents: Georgia, South Carolina, Arkansas

Fiesta Bowl

The Big 12 champion is tied to this bowl if they do not qualify for the BCS National Championship. This bowl would be a disappointment as well, but nowhere near the disappointment of the Cotton Bowl.

The Cowboys have never made a BCS bowl and just making one would make the season worthwhile.

In order to get in the Fiesta Bowl, the Cowboys would likely need to remain undefeated—but would have to be jumped by another team in the polls. Or they could lose a game but still win the Big 12 championship.

Another possibility would be if the Cowboys lost to Oklahoma and then Oklahoma jumped high enough to reach the national championship game.

All of the above are unlikely.

Possible opponents: Stanford, Boise State, Oregon

Sugar Bowl

Considering that the Orange Bowl and Rose Bowl are tied up in their conference affiliations, the Sugar Bowl would be another possible destination for the Cowboys.

In order to get here, the Cowboys would probably need to either stay undefeated and be jumped in the polls (not gonna happen) or lose to Oklahoma on Dec. 3rd and finish second in the Big 12. The second scenario would require OU to win out and not rise high enough in the polls to reach the championship game.

OU would head to the Fiesta Bowl as the Big 12 champion and OSU would head to New Orleans as an at-large bid. This scenario is the most likely so far.

Possible opponents: Alabama, Arkansas, Stanford

BCS National Championship Game

This is the big one that all the Cowboy fans want to reach. If the Cowboys win out, they will be there.

It is definitely not a given, but the Cowboys are in the driver’s seat to get themselves there. It would be a tough game, considering that they would likely play LSU in New Orleans. However, just getting there would make this season a magical one for Oklahoma State.

Possible opponents: LSU, Alabama, Stanford

Prediction

BCS National Championship vs. LSU

I had this entire slide written out, predicting a Sugar Bowl matchup with Alabama thanks to a close loss to Oklahoma at the end of the year.

But I couldn't do it.

I’ve seen Oklahoma defeat Oklahoma State for almost a decade straight now. I told myself I couldn’t pick the Cowboys again until they prove they can get over the hump and defeat the Sooners.

Yet, here I am. Mike Gundy will face the man he served under at OSU in Les Miles. The best defense in the country will face the best offense in an epic title game.

Oklahoma State will come up short of a title in the end, but they will win some national respect for themselves and the Big 12.

Score: LSU 41, OSU 34