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College football: 25 biggest what-ifs of the 2010s

By Hans Themistode

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Defensive end Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tigers defeated the Buckeyes 29-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Defensive end Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tigers defeated the Buckeyes 29-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Ethan Bullock #6 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys warms up before a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 50-44. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Ethan Bullock #6 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys warms up before a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 50-44. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

College football: 2010s biggest what-ifs: 12. Oklahoma State gets a do-over

Oklahoma State had the fate of their 2011 football season in the palm of their hands.

Over the course of a season, teams seldom control their own destiny. Yet, the Cowboys were terrific that year and appeared to be the best team in all of college football.

Riding a ten-game win streak and holding an undefeated record, Oklahoma State simply needed to keep winning in order to be selected as one of two teams to play for the BCS title. Next up on their schedule was Iowa State. A win seemed like a formality as Iowa State finished the year with a 6-7 record. With that said, they played like world beaters on this day.

Oklahoma State surprisingly took their first and only loss that season, 37-31. Most would say that the program was distracted. Just one day prior, Kurt Budke, head coach of Oklahoma State’s women’s basketball team, along with assistant coach Miranda Serna, died in a plane crash (link).

Playing under those circumstances appeared to be too much too soon as Oklahoma State was forced to walk away with the loss. Although they won the final two games of the season, that wasn’t enough for the selection committee to view them as one of the two best teams in all of college football.

What would’ve happened if they were given the green light? Considering that they looked like the best team all year long, there’s a good chance that Oklahoma State could’ve been crowned BCS Champs by year’s end.

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