Oklahoma State Football: 3 takeaways from Big 12 title loss

In a brutal loss, Oklahoma State football lost Saturday against Baylor in the Big 12 championship game, and here’s what it means. 

Twice in the Mike Gundy era, Oklahoma State football seemed to have a golden opportunity to play for a national championship or at least make the College Football Playoff.

All those years ago, when the Cowboys were No. 2, they lost to Iowa State and it cost them a shot to play for all the marbles.

And on Saturday in Dallas, it was another nightmare scenario as the Oklahoma State football team fell just inches short of a Big 12 championship and a playoff berth.

Of course, the Cowboys would have needed some help to reach the playoff. But if Georgia beat Alabama, or if Cincinnati or Michigan lost, Oklahoma State would have been a shoo-in.

Instead, the Cowboys suffered maybe the most heartbreaking loss of the Mike Gundy era, and here are three takeaways from the Big 12 championship game.

Spencer Sanders saves his worst for last

It’s kind of heartbreaking to see Spencer Sanders play as poorly as he did Saturday. Sanders has never been a superstar but he had a great moment against Oklahoma last Saturday and that will live on in the memory of OSU fans for a long time. It also got this team a major bowl bid.

But his four interceptions were an absolute killer on Saturday. Baylor converted two interceptions into two touchdowns and it led the 14 points as the Bears built a 21-3 lead.

Sanders was 31-of-46 for 257 yards and four interceptions. And while one more yard would have absolved him, the Cowboys couldn’t get it done.