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Oklahoma football: Sorry Buckeyes, Sooners should be in if they win

By Christopher Dukes

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 25: Head Coach Lincoln Riley of Oklahoma Sooners during warm ups before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated West Virginia 59-31. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 25: Head Coach Lincoln Riley of Oklahoma Sooners during warm ups before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated West Virginia 59-31. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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Last Saturday Ohio State opened the door to a deluge of College Football Playoff conversation with its upset win over Michigan, but Oklahoma Football should be in with a win over rival Texas and an Alabama win over Georgia.

The ESPN talking heads immediately started touting the “Oklahoma has no defense” argument and trying to will Ohio State ahead of Oklahoma football in the next College Football Playoff rankings. While it’s true the Sooners are struggling on that side of the ball, giving up 40-plus points in four-straight games, the Buckeyes aren’t exactly the 1985 Chicago Bears.

Related Story. Oklahoma football: Defense was the difference-maker at West Virginia. light

Ohio State surrendered 51 to Maryland in a one-point win that came down to the last play of the game. Yes, that’s the same offensive juggernaut Terps team that was held to less than a touchdown three times in conference play, including a 23-0 shutout loss to Iowa.

The Buckeyes also gave up 31 in a five-point win over Nebraska (yes, 4-8 Nebraska that lost to Troy this year).

According to ESPN, the Sooners have a better FPI (No. 5 vs. No. 7), strength of record (No. 5 vs. No. 8), strength of schedule (No. 31 vs. No. 57) and more AP Top 25 wins (three vs. two).

Oklahoma also has a Heisman-candidate quarterback in Kyler Murray who is having one of the most efficient seasons in college football history along with what might be the best offensive line in the country.

Of course, there’s also an elephant (or should I say Boilermaker) in the room that hasn’t been addressed yet. The Buckeyes got run off the field 49-20 by a 6-6 Purdue team.

The same Purdue that was blown out by Minnesota 41-10.

The same Purdue that lost to Eastern Michigan.

The Buckeyes are one of only three double-digit wins for the Boilermakers this year. The others being Boston College (30-13) and Nebraska (42-28). The 29-point margin of victory was by far Purdue’s biggest of the season. It was also the most points the Boilermakers scored all year.

The Sooners, meanwhile, lost to rival Texas on a neutral field in a narrow 48-45 game that came down to a last-second field goal. The same Texas team they meet again this Saturday in the Big 12 Championship Game.

Should the Sooners take care of business and avenge that loss, it all but closes the door on the Buckeyes getting in.

Next. Oklahoma football: Let the Playoff debate begin…OU or Ohio State?. dark

To put it plainly, Ohio State fans must become Texas fans this weekend if they want a shot at the playoff.

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