2011 Bowl Projections: T. Boone Pickens' Comments Don't Help Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State alumnus and billionaire T. Boone Pickens is attempting to finagle his Cowboys into the BCS National Championship Game against LSU. He's even started to make calls to reserve charter flights from Stillwater to New Orleans, the site of this season's title game.

Unfortunately for the Oklahoma State faithful, his ploys won't help their team's chances of landing a spot inside the top two when the final BCS standings are released on Sunday night.

The Cowboys entered Week 14 more than .08 behind Alabama for second place, which is a pretty substantial margin in BCS terms. Even a convincing victory over rival Oklahoma probably won't be enough to sway voters in their favor.

What seems to be the biggest sticking point is Oklahoma State's loss to Iowa State. While the defeat came under difficult circumstances following the death of women's basketball coach Kurt Budke, voters compare that with Alabama's only loss to LSU and lean toward to Tide.

Iowa State finished the regular season 6-6. The Cyclones ranked 86th in total offense, but still managed to rack up 37 points against the Cowboys. It's impossible to compare a loss to a team like that to LSU.

Another thing working against the Cowboys is the relative weakness of the Big 12 as compared to the SEC. Perennial powers like Texas, Missouri and Texas A&M all endured down seasons while the SEC was once against the nation's premier conference.

Is it fair? Maybe not, but that's how the BCS works.

You can't blame Pickens for pulling out all the stops in an attempt to boost Oklahoma State's case, but in reality it'll turn out to be nothing more than a publicity stunt.

He's become a fan favorite because of his steadfast support of the university. His efforts over the past couple days will only increase the size of his following. But once the dust settles, it will be clear that nothing he's done actually helped Oklahoma State's odds of moving past Alabama.

That certainly won't stop him from trying, though.