OreGone State
After Pac-12 ditches nonconference games, OSU needs a new opponent
When the Big Ten broke ranks Thursday and declared it would attempt a conference-games-only schedule, the consensus across the country was, what's the hurry? Why make such a decision in early July when a league could wait until late July and survey the landscape? Good question.
But there's a good answer, too. And part of that answer is, letting schools know if they've been dropped from schedules is the humanitarian thing to do.
And now the Pac-12 has been considerate of Oklahoma State. The Pac-12 announced Friday that it also will play conference games only, leaving the Cowboys without a season-opening opponent.
OSU was scheduled to host Oregon State on Sept. 3, and a Big 12 source told the Oklahoman on Friday that the Big 12 is “definitely” holding steady for now, planning for nonconference games. The Southeastern and Atlantic Coast conferences, according to the source, also plan to forge ahead with full schedules, at least for now, hoping the pandemic lessens and makes a full season more likely.
So OSU joins the club of TCU (scheduled to play Southern Cal in Arlington on Sept. 5), Iowa State (at Iowa on Sept. 12), West Virginia (Maryland on Sept. 19) and Texas Tech (Arizona on Sept. 19) as Big 12 teams in search of a team.
For weeks, OSU officials had to wonder if the Cowboys would be able to play on Sept. 3. Now, that question has doubled. Not if, but who?
OSU no doubt is scrambling for a potential replacement, but where do the Cowboys turn?
Scheduling balance is out the window. In years past, OSU followed a consistent model — a fellow Power 5 foe, a mid-major and a Division I-AA opponent. The Cowboys have Tulsa and Western Illinois still lined up, and a Power 5 opponent might still be the best option for OSU.
Coaches and administers would like opponents to use the same testing protocols. That's much easier for fellow Power 5 schools, since they at least have the resources to attempt frequent testing.
So to where could
OSU turn? The only other Power 5 teams left without a game in Week 1, after the Big Ten and Pac-12 announcements, are TCU and Alabama. The Crimson Tide was scheduled to play Southern Cal in Arlington, and TCU was scheduled to play at Cal-Berkeley. Reports from the spring said TCU was being lined up to replace Southern Cal in Arlington.
Some intriguing options remain. Brigham Young was scheduled to play at Utah on Sept. 3.
BYU in Stillwater would be an excellent season opener, and the television networks would sign on quickly. Brigham Young would be replacing one road game with another, but instead of a 45-minute bus ride, the Cougars would be making an 1,100-mile plane ride with an overnight stay.
Would BYU be willing? Maybe. Losing the Utah game, Brigham Young's arch rival, is a blow to the Cougars' season. Any marquee opponent would be a balm.
But Utah State, which is scheduled to host Washington State in Week 1, also could be scrambling. Utah State is scheduled to play at BYU on Oct. 2. Would BYU and Utah State just agree
to play twice? It would solve some pandemic logistics.
Could OSU do the same? Could it jerry-rig the schedule and add a game against a team already on the schedule?
Texas Tech, Iowa State and West Virginia each need a game, though not in Week 1. But all three are scheduled to play in Stillwater, the Cyclones on Oct. 10, the Red Raiders on Oct. 31 and the Mountaineers on Nov. 14. Would any be willing to come to OSU twice? Would OSU be willing to go on the road to get in a game?
Would the NCAA be willing to grant a waiver allowing OSU's season opener to move to Aug. 29? OU has requested a waiver to move its season opener against Missouri State to Week 0.
If the Cowboys could move to Week 0, that brings other options: Texas A&M, which hosts Colorado, and Houston, which hosts Washington State.
Without a waiver, does Colorado State become the best option? The Rams are scheduled to host Colorado in a season opener. Would Colorado State come to Stillwater?
If the Atlantic Coast Conference also goes conference games only, many more teams would be on the market. Including perhaps Arkansas, which plays at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish apparently would play an all-ACC schedule. But the ACC for now seems intent on waiting; several ACC teams have archrival games against SEC squads (ClemsonSouth Carolina, Florida State-Florida, Georgia Tech-Georgia, Louisville-Kentucky). The ACC would be hardpressed to give up on those games.
Maybe OSU just surrenders and tries to entice any opponent, regardless of level. Kent State, Bowling Green, Northern Iowa. All were shorted a game by the Big Ten's decision.
The new scheduling emergency just adds to the big mess that already was college football 2020. Buckle up. This season, if there is a season, will be a bumpy ride. Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at 405-760-8080 or at btramel@oklahoman. com. He can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including FM-98.1. You can also view his personality page at oklahoman. com/berrytramel.