Around CFB: How the Big 12 stacks up heading into the CFP

The initial College Football Playoff standings are to be announced on Tuesday night, which seems like an appropriate time for a reminder about the Big 12 Conference’s slogan.

Last summer the Big 12 unveiled as its slogan: “The Hardest Path to the CFP.”

It’s not uncommon for conferences to have slogans. For example, the Southeastern Conference boasts: “It just means more.” But "The Hardest Path to the CFP" seems more than a little disingenuous, especially considering the Big 12 was 4-6 in non-conference games against “Power 5” competition.

In fact, Big 12 teams can claim no non-conference victories over “Power 5” opponents with a current winning record. Indeed, the Big 12’s best non-conference victory arguably is Texas Tech’s 63-49 triumph over Houston.

At least the new slogan is an upgrade from 2014 when the league boasted “One True Champion” and then recognized Baylor and TCU as co-champs.

Perhaps Bob Bowlsby shoulder consider this: “Big 12 — where parity meets parody.” That would seem only appropriate for the Big 12 is on the verge of attaining both.

Should Oklahoma beat Texas Tech on Saturday night in Lubbock that would complete a circle of parity … or mediocrity.

Let’s explain:

Texas Tech defeated Baylor. Baylor defeated Kansas. Kansas defeated TCU. TCU defeated Iowa State. Iowa State defeated West Virginia. West Virginia defeated Kansas State. Kansas State defeated Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State defeated Texas. Texas defeated Oklahoma.

Which potentially brings us back to Oklahoma defeating Texas Tech.

Though an Oklahoma victory might inspire giggles, it would actually benefit the Big 12 if the Sooners win.

The simple truth is that teams with two losses are virtually eliminated from playoff consideration.

Another OU loss likely would eliminate the Sooners and leave West Virginia as the only Big 12 team with a realistic chance of inclusion into the playoff field.

That is, if West Virginia beats Texas in Austin on Saturday. If West Virginia and Oklahoma both lose the Big 12 could be out of playoff consideration before mid-November.

Which kinda sounds like a new slogan.

Heisman watch

1, Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama, QB: For the first time this season Tagovailoa did not throw multiple touchdown passes last week. Of course, that’s because Alabama was idle. Tagovailoa has thrown for 2,066 yards and 25 touchdowns with no interceptions, while completing 70.4 percent of his attempts. He’s thrown 11 touchdown passes in the last three games.

2, Gardner Minshew, Washington State, QB: He leads the nation in passing with 3,183 yards. He’s thrown 26 touchdown passes and 6 interceptions. Minshew has passed for more than 400 yards in three of the last four games and five times overall. More importantly, he’s led the Cougars to consecutive victories over Oregon and Stanford. Washington State now leads the Pac-12 North and is the only conference team with a realistic chance to reach the playoff.

3, Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State, QB: The Buckeyes had an open week to recover from their upset loss to Purdue. Again, Haskins wasn’t responsible for that loss. He passed for 470 yards and two touchdowns. He’s exceeded 400 yards passing in each of the last three games. Haskins is second in the nation in passing with 2,801 yards and 30 touchdowns.

4, Kyler Murray, Oklahoma, QB: Ho-hum. Murray completed 19 of 24 passes for 352 yards and 3 touchdown passes in a blowout of Kansas State. That was his seventh consecutive game with at least 3 touchdown passes. He’s passed for 2,329 yards, rushed for 474 and has accounted for 34 touchdowns (28 passing, six rushing).

5, D’Eriq King, Houston, QB: In the last two games, King has passed for 832 yards and eight touchdowns. Overall, he’s thrown for 2,403 yards and 28 touchdowns and rushed for 413 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s responsible for a nation-leading 236 points.

Predicted playoff participants

1, Alabama: Almost lost in all the praise heaped upon quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is the fact the Tide ranks 10th in the nation in scoring defense.

2, Clemson: The Tigers are hitting their stride. They’ve outscored their last three opponents 163-20. Ten teams haven’t scored that many points all season.

3, Notre Dame: A tough road remains for the Irish. They next face Northwestern (5-3), which upset Wisconsin last week.  Florida State (4-4), Syracuse (6-2) and USC (4-4) will follow.

4, Michigan: If the Wolverines get by Penn State this week they’ll cruise (Rutgers and Indiana follow) until a showdown with Ohio State.

This week’s best games

No. 1 Alabama at No. 4 LSU: If LSU’s brilliant secondary cannot slow down Alabama’s passing game it cannot be done. Psst … it cannot be done.

No. 6 Georgia at No. 11 Kentucky: A de facto SEC East championship game. Do the Wildcats have any miracles left?

No. 12 West Virginia at No. 15 Texas: Loser is likely out of the Big 12 championship discussion.

No. 14 Penn State at No. 5 Michigan: Penn State averages 41 points per game. Michigan allows 14.4. Good defense usually trumps good offense.

No. 3 Notre Dame at Northwestern:  Irish had better beware. Northwestern has beaten Wisconsin and Michigan State and almost upset Michigan.

Idle thoughts

• So … a coach that criticized players’ lack of discipline almost gets into a fight with an opposing coach. Any irony there?
• Syracuse is two losses away from playoff consideration. Even closer, the Orange is 11 points away from being unbeaten. Even closer, the Orange is 49 seconds away from perfection. Clemson scored a touchdown with 41 seconds left to beat Syracuse 27-23. The next week Pittsburgh kicked a tying field goal with eight seconds remaining and then won in overtime, 44-37.
• Beware of Temple. Two weeks ago the Owls ended Cincinnati’s seven-game winning streak (dating back to last season). This week they aim to end UCF’s winning streak, which has reached 20.