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Big 12 Football: The good, bad and ugly of bringing back title game

By Andrew Hammond

NORMAN, OK - DECEMBER 3: Quarterback Baker Mayfield
NORMAN, OK - DECEMBER 3: Quarterback Baker Mayfield /
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STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 28 : Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks to throw against the Oklahoma State Cowboys November 28, 2015 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 58-23.(Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 28 : Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks to throw against the Oklahoma State Cowboys November 28, 2015 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 58-23.(Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

The ugly, which could cost the Big 12 a CFB Playoff spot in 2017

I’ve crafted the following scenario ever since the Big 12 decided to bring back the conference championship game and it’s getting more clear of it’s likelihood as we move towards the 2017 season. Follow along and it all makes sense.

Your first team into the 2017 Big 12 Championship Game is Oklahoma State who is ranked No. 3 in the country and sports an undefeated 12-0 record. The Cowboys survived a crucial four-way dance with Oklahoma, Kansas State and TCU to clinch a spot.

In any other season, the Cowboys would be relaxing on the final weekend knowing that they’re headed to, most likely, the Sugar Bowl for a College Football Playoff semifinal. However, Oklahoma State faithful are paranoid, and rightfully so, especially when their opponent is someone they’ve beaten and will have to play, and defeat, for a second time.

So who could that team be? Each of Oklahoma State’s three toughest conference opponents will have to travel to Stillwater and all will have left with a loss on their hands. My pick here is Oklahoma — a two-loss Sooners team (spoiler, they’re losing in Columbus on Sept. 9). They will have won the second spot by beating Kansas State on the road in Manhattan, which will be the proverbial tiebreaker in deciding who plays Oklahoma State in the Big 12 title.

Next: Ranking 10 most anticipated Big 12 games of 2017

As for the game, the Sooners will avenge their 35-24 loss on Nov. 4 and defeat the Cowboys in a bonus Bedlam Game as Baker Mayfield out-duels Mason Rudolph, costing him a shot at the Heisman as Oklahoma wins 38-34.

I will be chuckling as the Big 12’s attempt to play their way into the College Football Playoff goes up in smoke. It’s beautiful.

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