Oklahoma making a playoff case later rather than Sooner

As the college football season winds down, the Big 12 continues to showcase all the action, and the contenders have been whittled down to three.

Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Baylor all still control their own destiny thanks to a backloaded conference schedule that has these three teams play each other -- and Big 12 heavyweight TCU -- in the final two weeks of the season.

The Cowboys stand atop the conference currently, being the sole undefeated member of the conference, and, thanks to that goose egg in the L column, they are probably the conference's best hope of having a representative in the College Football Playoff, which is still a sore subject after high-powered co-champs Baylor and TCU were left out last year.

But, the Sooners and Bears could care less about their conferences' representation in the CFP if it would mean forfeiting the Big 12 crown or losing a game to an arch-rival.

Speaking of the Sooners, they look like they're playing the best football in the Big 12 right now, which makes that inexplicable Week 5 loss to Texas that much more infuriating.

Had Oklahoma not dropped that game, the Sooners wouldn't be just looking to win out to claim the Big 12 title but also to claim a sure playoff spot.

Stanford and Utah's losses this weekend gave the Big 12 a helping hand, but Notre Dame's continued success could mean another year without a Big 12 team in CFP's final four.

The Fighting Irish are almost a lock if they win out. A 12-0 Oklahoma State has a solid chance of jumping them, and a strong 11-1 Oklahoma has somewhat of a chance. But, what the Sooners really need is a Notre Dame loss in conjunction with blazing through the remainder of their schedule in order to have a comfortable chance of grabbing that No. 4 spot.

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Then again, OU coming up with wins in their last two contests of the season isn't a lock either. TCU, even vulnerable and downtrodden, is dangerous and should not be considered a gimme. And, Bedlam, this year especially, is set to be insane.

If the Sooners remain standing after final, intense weeks and yet remain outside the Top Four, you can bet they'll be some hearty chuckling in Austin.