Why OSU's win vs. Savannah State counts for bowl eligibility
Published: 11/12/2012 12:02 PM
Last Modified: 11/12/2012 12:02 PM
Oklahoma State picked up its sixth win of the season Saturday, a feat that typically signals a team is bowl-eligible.
But when one of the wins is against an FCS team, like the Cowboys' 84-0 throttling of Savannah State, bowl eligibility is not automatic.
FBS teams are allowed one victory against FCS teams to count for bowl eligibility each season, but only if the FCS team meets scholarship requirements -- specifically, the team must average 56.7 full scholarships over a two-year period.
FCS teams are allowed 63 scholarships, but Savannah State has only 50 scholarship players this season.
Fortunately for OSU, the athletic department had the foresight to petition the NCAA before the season for the win to count, citing conference realignment as the reasoning for scheduling the game. The NCAA granted the petition, so the Cowboys officially are bowl-eligible.
With three games remaining, OSU is projected by CBSSports.com to meet Northwestern in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl on Dec. 29 in Phoenix.
Written by
Kelly Hines
Sports Writer
