Yet those circumstances created enough of an opening for BYU fans to hope that if the Big 12 were shut out of the playoff for multiple seasons, the conference might reconsider expansion. As of only two weeks ago, that possibility was in play for 2015, with the Big 12 standings potentially jumbled.
Oklahoma emerged, however. And the Big 12 actually is being rewarded for not making the Sooners (11-1) play another game. In contrast, the Atlantic Coast Conference could suffer if Clemson loses to North Carolina in the title game, possibly keeping any league member out of the top four.