2010 Bowl Projections: Oklahoma State Controls Fiesta Destiny

There’s a compelling drama brewing in the Big 12 South, where an Oklahoma State team picked by many to finish last in the division based on attrition finds itself alone in the BCS top ten, the top-ranked team in the conference ... and currently projected by more than one major media outlet to finish third in the Big 12 and land unceremoniously in the Alamo Bowl.
(Before we get to the whys and hows, let’s just pause for a second and appreciate the sheer excellence that would be on display in an Oklahoma State-Stanford matchup. The worst-case scenario for the ‘Pokes isn’t all that bad.)
Now, to the injustice! The Cowboys are two-point favorites over BCS No. 13 Oklahoma, who’s carrying two losses already, so why the projected third-place finish in the conference? 10-1 is the best record in the conference, and there’s no reason why the ‘Pokes can’t thrash the Sooners at home, knock off Nebraska or Mizzou and meet an at-large team in the Fiesta Bowl. Lose just this next game, however, and they’ll forfeit the right to even play for a shot at a January bowl.
For more on Oklahoma State, check out the excellently-named SB Nation community Cowboys Ride for Free, and follow the race to Glendale at SB Nation’s BCS Evolution.