College Football Playoff Top 25: Final Championship Week Projections

Oklahoma State missed out on a Bedlam rematch against rival Oklahoma for the Big 12 title. Even had they taken down Kansas State, though, the Cowboys would have been at home on championship weekend due to their head-to-head loss against TCU back in September. But the 9-3 Pokes will no doubt remain in the high teens of the final College Football Playoff rankings.

Veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the best passer in the country. He was the driver of a Cowboys offense that put up more points per game than any other Power Five team in the country. It was a hit-or-miss defense that prevented Oklahoma State from winning more games. In all three losses, the Pokes put up at least 30 points but gave up at least 40.

Even with the losses, Oklahoma State still has a chance to finish with 10 wins for the third straight year.  The Cowboys got another boost when Mike Gundy turned down the Tennessee job to remain at his alma mater. As long as Gundy is in Stillwater, the Pokes will remain perennial hopefuls in the Big 12 race.