Sooners still searching for that one win CFP committee can’t ignore

The College Football Playoff committee has made it clear that they still want more from the Oklahoma Sooners.

The Sooners, at 7-2, jumped one spot in the second set of CFP rankings to No. 11 on Tuesday evening, but that still leaves them just outside the 12-team playoff field as the first team out.

Oklahoma first team out of College Football Playoff based on newest rankings

OU jumped BYU this week after the Cougars suffered their first loss of the season to No. 6 Texas Tech on Saturday. Although OU and BYU are inside the top 12, just like last week for the Sooners, both teams would still be replaced by a pair of conference champions since the five highest-ranked conference champs get into the playoff, even if they're outside the top 12, or even the top 25.

If the season ended today -- which it obviously doesn't, so there's no need for OU fans to panic -- projected ACC champion No. 15 Miami and No. 24 South Florida, from the American, would get into the 12-team field over OU and BYU.

Last week, OU was in this same situation with Texas, which bumped up to No. 10 to be the final team to get an at-large bid this time. The difference right now in the Sooners already being in the playoff field is that loss to Texas in the Red River Rivalry.

The Sooners have no argument over Texas until the Longhorns suffer a third loss, but there's still no reason for No. 9 Notre Dame to be ahead of OU and Texas. Regardless, the second CFP rankings aren't what matter and the committee has made it clear that it wants one more statement win from the Sooners before they solidify them as playoff contenders.

That win could come as soon as Saturday, when the Sooners travel to Tuscaloosa to play No. 4 Alabama. After that, the Sooners conclude the regular season with home games against Missouri and LSU. Neither Tiger team is a pass, but the Sooners should be in cruise control while in the driver's seat to the playoff if they beat the Crimson Tide.