At this point, Oklahoma State football fans (along with the rest of the nation) are waiting with bated breath as the developments happen regarding Texas and OU’s rumored move to the SEC. With the potential departure of the Longhorns and Sooners from the Big 12, one palatable option for OSU would to migrate westward with three fellow Big 12 schools to join the Pac-12, becoming (maybe) the Pac-16.
If that were to happen, OSU and three of its conference mates could form an “East Division” of the Pac-16 that would also compete with Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and former Big 8 rival Colorado.
If Oklahoma State football is lucky enough to move to a new, potential Pac-16 and an East Division, expect the Cowboys to vie for the league title.
Part of the question would, of course, depend on which other Big 12 schools would join. It could include Kansas and Kansas State, or it could instead consist of OSU with the Texas-based schools of Baylor, TCU, and Texas Tech.
How would the Cowboys do on the gridiron in such a potential scenario?
Since 2010, OSU is 7-1 against current Pac-12 members, with the only loss coming in 2012 to Arizona. In that time span, the Cowboys have defeated Oregon State, Colorado, Washington, Stanford, Arizona (twice), and Washington State. In those eight games, the Cowboys have scored more than 42 points per contest.
All-time, the Cowboys own a 11-8 win-loss record against Pac-12 teams. As OSU’s head coach, Mike Gundy owns an 8-2 record against the Pac-12.
Though the Cowboys don’t own a winning record against either Colorado (20-26-1) or Arizona State (1-2) historically, OSU has a better quality football program than any of the four schools not along the Pac-12’s West Coast.
The Pac-12 as a league has struggled, failing to put a team in the four-team CFP in the past four seasons. Washington was the last team to do it, advancing to the 2016 semifinals.
The Sun Devils haven’t won more than eight games since 2014. The Buffaloes have finished with just two winning seasons in the past 15 years. The Wildcats have two winning records in the past six seasons, and the Utes are a pedestrian 30-16 in the past four seasons, featuring only one bowl win.
Needless to say, OSU’s chances to compete in the new potential Pac-16 would be good, especially if the divisions pit East vs. West. The Cowboys could wrap an East Division title on move on to face a team like Oregon, Washington, or USC in the Pac-16 title game.