College Football: Buy or sell top 25 teams as National Title contenders

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 8: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers, left, and head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide pose for a photograph after speaking to members of the media during the College Football Playoff National Championship Head Coaches Press Conference on January 8, 2017 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 8: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers, left, and head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide pose for a photograph after speaking to members of the media during the College Football Playoff National Championship Head Coaches Press Conference on January 8, 2017 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
16 of 26
Next
(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

The Oklahoma schools have been much of the talk of the Big 12 over the past few months. The Oklahoma State Cowboys and Oklahoma Sooners are two of the best teams in the country with how good each offense can be.

Oklahoma State is led by senior quarterback Mason Rudolph and senior wide receiver James Washington, both of which look to build Heisman campaigns in 2017. Moreover, the Pokes have the overall best offense in the nation.

The biggest question is if the defense can hold opponents off the scoreboard. Head coach Mike Gundy has not built the most balanced teams during his time in Stillwater. Defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer needs to take the onus on himself to prepare for teams like Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas State, West Virginia and others for the Cowboys to make a big leap this year.

As long as Oklahoma State can finally defeat the Sooners in Bedlam, they’ll have a clear path to the College Football Playoff. It’s worth noting the addition of the Big 12 championship game could set up a rematch for the two Oklahoma schools, possibly with a playoff appearance on the line.

Verdict: Buy