BCS Bowl Projections: 5 Reasons Oklahoma State Should Pass Bama for a Title Shot

To borrow a golf analogy, Alabama was the "leader" in the clubhouse, all but clinching a spot in the national title game, while LSU had to play a conference title game against Georgia. Oklahoma State sat third and seemingly, had no chance to pass idle Alabama to earn a spot in the championship game opposite LSU.

Well, to further the golf analogy, Oklahoma State went out and shot the football equivalent of a 59.

To be more accurate, the Cowboys put up 44 points while dismantling a good Oklahoma team, by 34 points.  The fans used the opportunity to storm the field and dismantle the goal posts.

Voters had to take notice of this impressive display, as No. 3 Oklahoma State made its case to rise to the No. 2 ranking, and get its shot at LSU in the national title game.

Here are five reasons Oklahoma State deserves a title shot...

5. Ok. State Actually Won Its Conference Title

I know it's somewhat of an unfair critique of Alabama in that it plays in the tougher conference, and the team it was chasing all year was clearly the No. 1 team in America, but Oklahoma State did win its conference title this year.

Oklahoma State won its conference in impressive fashion, blowing past its chief rival Oklahoma in the Bedlam game last night.

Alabama did not even earn a spot in its own conference title game, a distinction Georgia earned by winning its side of the SEC.

4. Oklahoma State's Only Loss Very Exuseable

The Oklahoma State Cowboys were scheduled for a Friday night game at Iowa State on November 18th.

That day, tragedy struck the university when for the second time in its history, a plane crash claimed the lives of people associated with Oklahoma State athletics.

This time, the plane carrying Women's basketball head coach Kurt Budke and assistant coach Miranda Serna crashed, killing Budke and Serna.

The women's basketball team and wrestling team cancelled their events that weekend, and no one would have batted an eye had Oklahoma State postponed this football game.

The team chose to play, and lost a heart-breaker against Iowa State on the road, 37-31 in overtime.

The timing of this game cannot be overlooked.

3. Alabama Had Its Shot

Alabama already played LSU this season, and the circumstances of that game dictate that the Tide should not play LSU again in the BCS title game.

When you beat a team in its own building, you own that team for that year.

LSU went into Tuscaloosa, and defeated the Tide on their own field.

LSU sholdn't have to beat them again

When you look at the other contenders, Oklahoma State clearly separated itself with its performance last night.

LSU has already won its conference regular season title, beaten Georgia in the title game, beaten Alabama and Arkansas. 

Should LSU get its National title without having to play the nation's other top team this season, Oklahoma State?

2. The Blind Resume

From the pages of ESPN and the bracket selections of the NCAA tournament, I give you the blind resumes of these two title contenders:

Team A.

Record, 11-1

Wins over: No. 8, No. 22, No. 25 (un-ranked at the time, but currently No. 25), No. 19, No. 16 and No. 10

Team B.

Record, 11-1

Wins over: No. 23, No. 14, No. 12 (but currently un-ranked)

Who is more impressive?

Team A is Oklahoma State.  Team B? Alabama

1. Classic Offense vs. Defense Showdown

"People have to decide when they want to see a 9-6 game, or 39-36 game" - Mike Gundy, coach of Oklahoma State said after beating Oklahoma last night.

Although the Cowboys defense was particularly impressive last night, forcing five Sooner turnovers last night, it has been the offense that has 

Big XII football is solid, but no defense in that conference is at the level of the physical defenses in the SEC.

Even if you do believe its even, clearly, Oklahoma State hasn't played a defense like LSU's.

It would be great theatre to see Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon try to solve Tyrann Mathieu and the LSU defense.