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OSU's Schedule Debate
Published: 12/5/2012 3:34 PM
Last Modified: 12/5/2012 3:34 PM

There are reports that Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy wants more control over the schedule.
That’s fine. The head football coach probably knows best what he needs for his team.
However, that has to balance with the needs of the school. That is determined by the athletic director.
Gundy and OSU athletic director Mike Holder have something in common. They both want the Cowboys to excel in football.
If that means playing a weak non-conference schedule, like Kansas State’s Bill Snyder prefers, then do it.
If it involves, as most believe, at least one challenging non-conference game, then Holder should make sure the Cowboys do it.
In recent years, OSU has played at least one challenging non-conference game. This season that resulted in a loss at Arizona, a devastating start in the second game of the season.
Next year OSU will play Mississippi State from the Southeastern Conference.
There are reports that OSU is considering playing Florida State early in the 2014 season.
There is no easy answer. A marquee non-conference victory could be the difference in reaching the 2013 BCS championship game or the 2014 BCS playoffs.
However, it can also work against you. Losing one of those non-conference games can cost you a BCS slot. Ask Oklahoma. The Sooners would be 11-1 if not for a loss to Notre Dame in a high-profile non-conference game. If OU had played Louisiana-Lafayette instead of Notre Dame, we’re pretty sure the Sooners would be in a BCS bowl game right now.
There is no right answer.
However, there’s no doubt that coming up with a compromise between coach and athletic director is the best answer.



Reader Comments 3 Total
Atticus (2 months ago)
Since when did Arizona and Mississippi become high-profile, marquee non-conference opponants? It's not like Arizona is an Oregon, or Mississippi State is LSU. Both Arizona and MSU are very beatable.
observer 5 (2 months ago)
Mr. Klein may be correct that THIS YEAR a win over Louisiana-Lafayette rather than a loss to Notre Dame would have resulted in a BCS bowl game. However, if OU does not play at least one noteworthy non-conference game each year, it will lose its reputation as a “national player” and transform itself toward a K-State image – an even bigger detriment.
Matt (2 months ago)
"we’re pretty sure the Sooners would be in a BCS bowl game right now."

This cracks me up. Every year the OK media and the rest of the national sportswriters are sure in JUNE, that the Sooners will be BCS champions. And every year that they don't make it, no matter how many losses or who they are to, the story is that the Sooners got screwed. Sometimes you make it and sometimes you don't. Get over it!
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Klein's Korner

Tulsa World senior sports columnist John Klein is in his fourth decade of covering sports. He started his newspaper career at The Daily Ardmoreite in 1977 and moved to the Tulsa World in 1978. He served 10 years as sports editor for the Tulsa World before being named to his current position in 2005. He also spent five years as the Southwest Conference beat writer for the Houston Post. He has won many writing awards and is a former Oklahoma Sports Writer of the Year.

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