Sooners’ loss changes playoff calculus

Appalachian State’s stock keeps rising

Oklahoma looked like it had a clear path to the playoff. It had already hurdled Texas this month, and the Big 12 isn’t a league loaded with top-15 teams this season.

It also doesn’t have many pushovers, as the Sooners learned the hard way Saturday.

Kansas State scored on eight consecutive possessions, then held on for a 48-41 victory to deal Oklahoma its first loss of the season and leave the Big 12 without an undefeated team.

Unquestionably, it’s a stellar result for first-year coach Chris Klieman, who won his share of big games while leading North Dakota State to four FCS titles. K-State (5-2, 2-2 Big 12) had some commendably long drives, but also took advantage of short fields created by an interception, a fumble and a short punt.

As much praise as the Wildcats warrant — and it is more than a dollop — this is an even more meaningful outcome for Oklahoma. The Sooners (7-1, 4-1) trailed by 25 points early in the fourth quarter, and even Jalen Hurts’ latest statistical smorgasbord (395 yards and a TD passing, 96 yards and three TDs rushing) could only do so much to erase that hole.

The loss changes Oklahoma’s playoff calculus. Instead of being able to count on an undefeated season being enough to vault them into a national semifinal, the Sooners have used their mulligan before the start of November. There is enough time for Oklahoma to end up as a topfour team at year’s end, but its margin for error is gone and it probably needs some help too.

Winners

■ Appalachian State. Life as a ranked team in the FBS suits the Mountaineers just fine. A week after crushing LouisianaMonroe, 52-7, Appalachian State sailed past South Alabama, 30-3.

The Mountaineers are one of two undefeated Group of Five teams left, along with Southern Methodist. If they can turn back South Carolina in two weeks, they’ll have a chance to remain in the conversation for a Cotton Bowl bid as the Group of Five’s representative in the New Year’s Six structure.

Losers

■ Wisconsin. It’s hard for a team’s stock to tumble so dramatically in a two-week span this deep into the season as the Badgers’. First was the stunning loss at Illinois last week, though Saturday’s outcomes make that defeat a little less shocking.

While Illinois was busy smothering Purdue, 24-6, Wisconsin was further exposed in a 38-7 loss at Ohio State. The Badgers (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) managed just 191 yards, and their lone touchdown drive came after a blocked punt handed them possession at the Ohio State 30-yard line.

Two weeks ago, Paul Chryst’s team had recorded four shutouts and seemed like a threat to whoever emerged from the Big Ten East. Now, the Badgers look like they’ll be lucky to win the West.

Around the country

Memphis needed a missed chipped shot by Tulsa with time expiring to set up a huge game against No. 16 SMU next week that would be a good spot for ESPN’s “College GameDay.”

■ There will be two huge games Nov. 9, matching four of the nine remaining unbeaten teams in FBS. One is No. 2 LSU at No. 1 Alabama. The other is No. 6 Penn State at No. 17 Minnesota, which improved to 8-0 for the first time since 1941.

■ Teams back from the dead: Tennessee (3-5) has won two of three and has a real chance to get bowl eligible after beating South Carolina. Chip Kelly’s UCLA (3-5) has won two straight after running out to a huge lead on No. 24 Arizona State, and at 3-2 in the Pac-12 could win the South if it wins out. Really!

Numbers

28: Straight victories by FCS No. 1 North Dakota State after a 23-16 win over South Dakota State.

78: Years since No. 17 Minnesota last started 8-0.