BCS Rankings: Why Oklahoma State Proved Themselves Clear No. 2

It is a mystery that will plague sports fans until 8:15 p.m. eastern time tonight: Will Alabama or Oklahoma State be ranked No. 2 in the BCS standings and play against LSU for the national championship on January 9?

The answer is obvious, though there will surely be a number of SEC fans that disagree, because Oklahoma State has a much better resume than Alabama. 

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy, who has an obvious bias, finally made his case for the national championship public after last night's dominating 44-10 victory against rival Oklahoma. (via New York Times):

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“I don’t think that there’s any question that Oklahoma State should play in the big game,” said Gundy, who does not vote in the coaches’ poll. “People told me at the coffee shop that they were giving me a hard time about mentioning the other school last week. I want to clarify myself that Oklahoma State hadn’t earned the right to talk about a game past this game because we hadn’t won a conference championship. After what they accomplished tonight and the way they did it against the No. 10 team in the country, they deserve an opportunity to play for it all.”

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But don't just look at things in a one-week vacuum. The Cowboys have proven themselves as a superior team to the Crimson Tide all season long. 

What are you looking for? Strength of schedule?

Oklahoma State's opponents have a combined record of 81-63 (.563 winning percentage) this season. They played four teams that were ranked in the top 25 at the time of the game, and two of those games—Kansas State, Oklahoma—were against teams in the top 15.

Alabama's opponents combined for an 85-61 record (.582 winning percentage). However, when you take out the game against Georgia Southern, an FCS school, the record dwindles down to 75-59 (.560). 

Do you want a signature win?

Oklahoma State just defeated its biggest rival by 34 points. It was a statement that should resonate with the voters, and Oklahoma is a superior team to anyone that Alabama beat. 

Speaking of which, Alabama beat Arkansas—whose defense would get picked apart in the Big 12—and Penn State, a team who couldn't score on me if I was on the field alone. 

The only reason to vote for Alabama is because of the SEC bias. The conference has won the last five national titles, so voters are going to give one of those teams the benefit of the doubt. 

But as far as resumes go, Oklahoma State's is superior and it has to show in the final BCS standings tonight. 

Alabama fans can whine and complain all they want, but at the end of the day, their team had its chance and didn't win.

They should not be given a mulligan just because of the name on the front of their jersey.