Who To Root For If…
Posted on: November 5, 2014
…you’re like me and still holding out even the slightest hope that OU can win out and backdoor their way into the playoff.
This week, OU moved up to No. 15 in the college football committee rankings. With a win against Baylor this weekend, the Sooners will be in position to make pretty nice move next week just based on the match-ups.
But beating Baylor, while there are simultaneously a few upsets, would be really big and probably cause a more sudden jump in the rankings for OU.
NOTE: These are not predictions. Last time I did this post I noticed someone in the comments section say that my “picks” were emotional, haha. These are NOT picks.
Texas A&M vs. Auburn: Rooting for…TAMU
It’s tough for me to root for the Aggies under any condition. I have Aggie friends and a close friend who played for TAMU, so it’s not some kind of personal issue. They just represent all the things I’m not a fan of. Known for offense…blekh. No defense…double-blekh. All about winning the recruiting ranking award…blekh. SEC…blekh (though before all the SEC hype I was actually a huge fan of the league). I could keep going. But this weekend I’m going to be rooting for them to pull the upset.
Oregon vs. Utah: Rooting for…Utah
It’s easy for me to root for Utah. Hard-nosed, blue collar program that is having a pretty good season. And Kendal Thompson may get the start in this game for the Utes. Oregon appears to be the favorite to win the rest of their games and be a one-loss team, so Utah giving them a second loss would be awesome.
Kansas State vs. TCU: Rooting for…Synder and co.
This is a big one. If TCU doesn’t lose this one, there is almost no chance they lose another game and will very likely end up winning the Big 12. Some might be saying, “well KSU won’t have a Big 12 loss if they beat TCU.” That’s true but in my estimation, there is a better chance of KSU losing to Baylor and WVU (who they still have to play, both on the road) than TCU dropping a game to the remaining schools on their schedule.
Ohio State vs. Michigan State: Rooting for…Ohio State
This one is tough because neither Ohio State or Michigan really have grand tests left on their schedule. I’d normally root for Michigan State just because I love their defense, but I feel like Ohio State has shown more vulnerability. They’ve got a young QB and if they run into a team with a stout defensive line and a good pass rush, they could get bit. So I’m leaning towards rooting for Ohio State to get the Spartans out of the way now.
Notre Dame vs. Arizona State: Rooting for…Arizona State
I never root for the devil! So this is more me rooting against Notre Dame. I don’t think Arizona State wins out the rest of the way regardless. I could see them dropping one to Arizona and possibly losing in the Pac 12 championship game. Notre Dame still has a couple challenges, but I’d rather get them out of the way now.
Alabama vs. LSU: Rooting for…Bama
This is tough as well because while OU is ahead of LSU in the current poll, I wouldn’t put it past the committee to jump the Tigers over us if they beat their beloved Crimson Tide. After all they’ve got Ole Miss as the highest 2-loss team and ahead of several of 1-loss teams despite the fact Ole Miss has almost zero tradition or brand strength. The SEC is going to get a minimum of one team in to the playoff, so I’d probably rather Alabama go through the rest of their schedule handing everyone losses. LSU winning could simultaneously cause them to jump us and keep the Tide in front of us. I won’t be too broken up either way. I do love coach Chavis as a DC, but I’m fine with the Tigers one dropping here.
74 Comments
OU vs Baylor: Sooners, We need to beat everyone else on our schedule. Make people understand that our two losses were by a total of 5 points. OU needs to win and win in a big fashion, not necessarily a big score, but big fashion, ie: leave people talking about how they won this game.
Why you so emotional? 🙂
There is a real possibility of a five way tie for the Big XII title.
This might be OU’s best shot at getting in assuming the 1-loss pool is cut down to a couple of teams. Here’s how it would happen:
OU wins out and finishes 7-2
Baylor wins out after the loss to OU. This would include beating KSU. They finish 7-2
WV wins out which would include a win at home aginst KSU. They finish 7-2
TCU loses to KSU and then wins out which puts them at 7-2
KSU beats TCU and loses at WV and to Baylor. They end 7-2
None of these outcomes are unreasonable. All five of the teams would be 2-2 against the other four. The conference would look strong and the committee would might want to pick one of the five to be one of the final four (again, assuming there are only 1 or 2 teams with only 1 loss nationally). Crazier things have happened.
OU needs to beat Baylor soundly and needs KSU to beat TCU. If the Frogs win they will probably end the season 8-1 in conference play and OU has no shot. If KSU wins they have 2 very loseable games left in WV and BU.
So much for the BigXII comercial: “9 games, 1 champion”
9 games, 5 champions?
Solid. Emotional, but solid. 🙂 (just kidding, nice job)
F them gumps.
heard former “committee” member Archie Manning on the radio this am. Reminded me that the fact that they actually meet together and discuss the picks is one thing that’s very different about this process. Not sure what it means, but it is different. (than say, the AP)
I’m of the impression that OU has no chance. I’m rooting against the SEC to get two teams in the playoff. So I’m rooting for LSU, Oregon, ASU, OSU, TCU, and A&M this weekend. Playoff is hopefully: Miss St., FSU, Oregon, KSU/TCU
Perfect scenario: Miss St. loses to UGA in the SEC championship putting TCU and OU in the playoff. That’s one advantage of no championship game. It’s like adding another round to the playoff.
The game that’s hard for me to jump on board with is the TAMU/AUB game mainly for recruiting purposes. Seeing them get drubbed again might really tilt things with recruits who are on the fence already.
Rooting for Aggie is precisely why it’s just best to win all of our games. Man, that’s hard to stomach. I’m with you though, kicking and screaming about having to root for teams I hate.
tamu has really jumped to the top of my dislike list as of late. In football they represent so many of the things I’m NOT a fan of
Agreed. I never used to think much of them, didn’t really dislike. Changing quickly and that’s NOT because they’re winning more (especially this year, Ha!). It’s because of….well….Aggie says it best.
Including losing.
I don’t know about you guys, but I’ll be rooting for Tennessee-Martin to beat Miss St. I think that could really hurt Miss St’s playoff chances.
Mr Jones : your’s is the best post of the day . I haven’t stopped laughing yet !!!!
Their OOC is hilarious… Southern Miss, UAB, South Alabama, and Tenn Martin.
Super K : have to pick against you in the Mich St /Ohio St game.. don’t like Ohio St and do think Mich St is the better team. While I agree about wanting KST to win, I expect TCU to win by 10-15 pts…….also expect baylor to claw by OU by 3 td’s, Alabama to roll over LSU by 20 pts, NE to whip ASU by 10-15 pts, and both Oregon & Auburn to win their games handily. there may not be a close game in any of the matchups you’ve listed.
Wow! Baylor over OU by 21 points. I put the points there so you could see what you’re saying. I guess it’s “go big or go home.”
I’m rooting for Stephen Dale to go away.
Post haste.
Eeyore? “Most likely lose it again, anyway” “Thanks for noticin’ me” he says to Pooh.
HA!
Good reference.
I had a Taj Mahal flashback viewing these comments.
OU will cake walk into town after beating BU.
http://youtu.be/VyS4vj5gDzg
Are you accepting bets on that OU/Baylor prediction?
Again, those weren’t my “picks”. Just teams I’ll be rooting for based on what MIGHT be in OUs best interest. But as far picks go, I disagree on OU vs Baylor. My guess is the Sooners win soundly.
Reading the whole article is for losers, some of us only read what we want to read.
*Whiners and complainers manual page #1*
Bet he still has a vcr and it is blinking 12:00.
And he’s whining about it being Japanese even though he only needs to push the set button twice…
If he actually read the instructions he would know that.
If I remember correctly, Baylor has not won a Top Tier game on the road since Briles has been there.
“NOTE: These are not predictions. Last time I did this post I noticed someone in the comments section say that my “picks” were emotional, haha. These are NOT picks.” -SuperK.
Some people have an agenda that is more important than comprehending the text and intent of a post.
Precisely.
21 points!! REALLY? Way to give up before getting started. I will take OU by 21, thanks.
Baylor goes down to OU this weekend. Period.
A&M has not shot… Utah has a slim shot… K State has a real shot… Ohio St. gets its doors blown off… Arizona St. Wins… & I’ll never ever root for Bama…
Not only is OU playing for a backdoor bid into the Playoff, or a share or outright win of the Big 12, a lot of these conference games can still boost OU up the bowl schedule. Maybe TCU or KSU wins out, and OU ends up 2nd in the Big 12 with out two losses. Or tied for 2nd. That MIGHT be enough to slide us into one of the other Playoff (what are we calling the non-Playoff big bowls?) games as an at-large. Much like last year. That would be huge, and would give OU another shot to impress recruits, or gauge our program.
So while I’m still holding out hope for the Playoff or Conference Championship, I also just want OU to end up in the best bowl possible.
This is a good point and one I think many fans overlook. The Fiesta Bowl is a much better reward than the Liberty Bowl. 😉
Big 6 Bowls
I find it hard to root for any of these teams. OU’s playoff dreams are slim to none. I will just root for the Sooners to win out and develope all the younger players for a shot next year.
Fair enough
I think you root for Ohio St. I think Ohio St and Mich St win out regular season after this, so which one would have the best chance of losing to Wisconsin in the championship? We need a 2-loss team to win the championship so B10 doesn’t get a playoff slot.
Agree with all of these. I was surprised by your Bama pick but I get your logic with the end goal of OU getting in. I would like to see Oregon, Michigan St and TCU or KState win out and get in. Obviously an SEC team will get in even if they all have 3 losses. I’d really like to see FSU get beat. Muschamp could really mess with Florida fans if he could pull that one off.
Alright K, I’ll jump on the wagon and root for these teams with you!
In order for there to be only one SEC team in the playoffs, I will be pulling for Miss St to win out and win the CCG, that would eliminate the other contenders in the sec West. By doing that I don’t have to feel all slimy actually pulling for Bama or Aub or TAMU or OM to win any games.
I refuse to ever root for the devil, either, that’s why I always pull for any team playing the Humpback Leprechauns. At least ASU are Sun devils and not the real Devil.
Pulling for K St for the same reasons you mentioned.
Hope Utah guns down the waterfowl.
Can’t pull for any Big 10 team other than Nebraska for any reason.
Why does it seem we always end up “having” to root for the teams we hate? I just hope we win out and get into the best bowl possible and if it’s a back door playoff spot, that’s awesome.
I see your point and agree with it. I despise the fact that OU has to have help and probably lots of it to get to where they should be. But I will take what we get, pop another top, keep on rooting for the Sooners and be thankful every morning I wake up. But I still reserve the right to gripe a little when we lose.
Even in the old days that was often the smart way to go. OU usually looks best when the teams they beat, beat everyone else.
I agree 100% when we’re in control, I just hate being in the position of hoping and praying other people win or lose to get us where we should be without their help.
Yup.
I would like to see Bama play us in another consolation game. You know what I’m saying!
Yeah, but after we blister their a$$ we would have to listen to another year of why they weren’t into the game. 🙂
I’m personally rooting for TCU as they seem the only Big 12 team with a shot at the playoff. OU can win out and garner a Big 6 Bowl.
Nothing about TCU making the playoffs is good for OU. If TCU beats KSU they are almost a lock for the conference championship and a possible playoff berth. Both of those accomplishments will give the frogs legitimacy and with TCU and OU using the metroplex as their primary recruiting area TCU’s success will make OU’s recruiting the metroplex more difficult for the Sooners. And that is not good.
I’d love to make the playoffs. I’m just not seeing it any more. Ole miss lost their 2nd and are what? 5 spots ahead of us? They should drop another 5 spots for even scheduling Presbyterian(I remember ’38 when they had a squad:)) Mich St I don’t see them dropping below us if they lose. Same for bama and lsu would jump us. Same for aub. Same for ksu/tcu. It sucks that some of these teams have to lose a 3rd time for us to sniff moving up. Obviously am rooting hard to make it and we have a shot til we don’t. Would love to make a big bowl and not get stuck with freakin Marshall
Any OOC that SEC plays is an automatic ‘awesome’ team. Didn’t you know that? Any OOC team just absorbs the SEC’s awesomeness. Now I need to go puke.
So you’re saying we should try to get a game with Presbyterian so that by inference or osmosis we will then be more awesomer?
Nah, we played an SEC team last year (Alabama) and this year (Tennessee) and beat them both, so we already have that awesomeness. 😀
I would only change that I’m rooting for lsu. I think lsu would drop another game later anyways. Plus I want to see whether the committee would allow ou to jump in front of a 2 loss Alabama team who I think would end up around 9th putting ou 8th.
I say this because ou’s résumé is or would be better than Alabama.
Change mine to this if the committee is willing to show the stones to actually do this
I agree Zack, while K makes a good point, Im still taking the mad Hatter on this one
He did make a good point. I just don’t know if this bama team is that good to run through the rest of their schedule. I just would be interested to see if the committee would knock bama down because right now their name is what has them so high and I wonder if the committee will continue to allow their name to elevate them 4 or 5 spots higher than they should be if they do continue to elevate them for name recognition then I would like the odds they would do the same for ou.
Gotta say Carrie Underwood pulled of the wardrobe changes, being pregnant and all, flawlessly tonight on the CMA’s. The Doobie Bro’s highjacked the show, that was weird and good at the same time.
We now return you to the regularly scheduled programming…..OU Football.
She’s married to a hockey player now. He knocks out teeth for a living and then those guys grin and keep playing, Wickedly tough. Big government nannies will be claiming concussions on them soon too, even in the absence of real proof in an attempt to feminize their sport as they have football! It’s amazing to think she would simply be living in Tahlequah and singing in church if she hadn’t been dragged to American Idol one day! What a life changer.
She’s got a set of lungs but I just can’t think much of a woman that doesn’t eat beef, it’s what’s for dinner you know.
Man didn’t fight and claw his way to the top of the food chain for tabooli salad. Somebody get that girl a Porterhouse.
She was skinny when he met her.
………..no ‘real proof’ of concussions in hockey??
Tonight’s episode of the new season of South Park was very good.
I flipped it over in time to see Ariana grande not sure why she was performing but I was more than ok with it.
I would go with lsu. But wouldnt care either way since bama can start knocking people out. But most important to ou is k state beating tcu. I dont see it happening though.
Good thoughts K, now my allegiances are clear this weekend. I agree with your logic. I’ve processed quite a bit of heartache from the season like the rest of us, and I’ve come to terms with this: Even if we miss the playoffs, if we beat Baylor and then trample a SEC team that got close to the playoffs in a bowl, well I could go for that.
I’m good with all of them cept aTm. Dang it, gonna have to give that some thought.Hope ND loses by 50:-)