College Football Rankings 2020: Projected AP Top 25 final rankings
By Zach Bigalke
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. won 37-34 vs. No. 18 Miami (Cheez-It Bowl). player. 8-3. Oklahoma State Cowboys. 20. 856
Oklahoma State entered their bowl game ranked in the College Football Playoff committee’s final set of rankings — but just outside the AP Top 25 as the next team up among others receiving votes. Mike Gundy’s team will climb back up into the poll when the Associated Press releases its final rankings, thanks to a 37-34 survival against Miami at the Cheez-It Bowl. That pushed the Cowboys to 8-3 and will allow them to finish in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2017.
Spencer Sanders looked great against the Miami defense in Orlando, throwing four touchdown passes and finishing with 305 yards through the air as he completed 27 of his 40 attempts. Sanders also led the team in rushing, finishing with 45 net yards on 13 carries. LD Brown added 42 yards and a touchdown run, while the defense forced a pair of fumbles against a Hurricanes team that outgained Oklahoma State by nearly 100 yards of offense.
It wasn’t the prettiest end to the season, as the Cowboys barely held on for a three-point win after leading 21-0 after one quarter. It was still a win, pushing Oklahoma State into the top 20 in a year where they went from College Football Playoff contender to Big 12 favorite to an afterthought in their own conference.