West Virginia Football: How can the Mountaineers still win the Big 12?

West Virginia football can shock the pundits and make it the Big 12 Championship Game, and here’s how.

When West Virginia (7-3, 5-2 Big 12) lost at home to Oklahoma State (8-2, 5-2) at the end of October, most thought the Mountaineers would have no chance of getting to the Big 12 Championship game. After two wins, there is still a chance although the scenarios are messy.

The good news for any team still alive in the Big 12 is there are no divisions. The top two teams advance to the title game and in one game, any team can win. West Virginia must first win their final two games at home against Texas (5-5, 4-3) and on the road against Oklahoma (9-1, 6-1).

Now the Mountaineers need help in both potential scenarios. In the first, Oklahoma State and TCU (8-2, 5-2) both must lose one game. The Cowboys play Kansas State (5-5, 3-4) and Kansas (1-9, 0-7). The Horned Frogs face Texas Tech (5-5, 2-5) and Baylor (1-9, 1-6). Those look like wins across the board for both Oklahoma and TCU, but this is the Big 12. The conference seems to be cannibalizing itself this season.

In the second scenario, West Virginia does not win out, but they can still advance to the Big 12 championship game. If the Mountaineers are upset by Texas, they must then beat Oklahoma. In this scenario, they need both Oklahoma State and TCU to lose out. This situation is more unlikely to occur than the first.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: First round after Week 11 edition

As the standings are now, Oklahoma is a near lock to make the Big 12 Championship Game. Three teams with two losses each are behind the Sooners. It should be an interesting remaining two weeks to determine Oklahoma’s opponent in the title game.