The expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) from four to twelve teams is a major structural change in the landscape of college football—and it’s one that should significantly benefit programs like Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have long been a competitive force in the Big 12, consistently finishing with strong records, high rankings, and notable bowl appearances. Yet under the previous four-team system, programs like Oklahoma State found it difficult to break into the elite postseason conversation, often edged out by blue-blood programs with stronger national brands or tougher strength-of-schedule metrics. Here’s a closer look at why CFP expansion should help Oklahoma State:
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1. Increased Access for Competitive Teams Outside the Traditional Powerhouses
Under the four-team playoff model, the selection committee heavily favored unbeaten or one-loss teams from Power Five conferences, with a strong bias toward historic programs like Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, and Georgia. This left little room for teams like Oklahoma State—even in seasons when they had double-digit wins.
With the move to twelve teams, however, there’s a greater chance for programs that are consistently competitive but not always perfect. Oklahoma State often finishes in the 9–11 win range and has placed in the top 15 of the final CFP rankings several times. Under the new system, those kinds of finishes could easily translate into playoff berths.
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2. Big 12’s Changing Landscape Favors OSU
The Big 12 is undergoing a transformation, with traditional power Oklahoma departing for the SEC, and Texas following suit. This shift changes the power dynamics of the conference and opens up greater opportunities for Oklahoma State to establish itself as a dominant force.
In a more balanced Big 12 that includes new members like UCF, Cincinnati, BYU, and Houston, Oklahoma State becomes one of the most stable and successful legacy programs. This puts them in a prime position to win conference championships—key for securing automatic playoff bids under the new format, which gives automatic spots to the top six ranked conference champions.
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3. Rewarding Strong Late-Season Runs
Historically, Oklahoma State has shown an ability to rally late in the season, including upset wins and strong bowl game performances. The 12-team playoff opens the door for teams that may stumble early but catch fire down the stretch—especially if they perform well in conference title games. Under the previous system, a single loss could all but eliminate a team from contention. Now, late-season momentum can carry them into the playoff field, which favors programs like OSU that often peak in November.
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4. Increased National Exposure and Recruiting Advantages
Making regular playoff appearances gives programs increased visibility, which is a major boost for recruiting. Oklahoma State has done well to develop talent under head coach Mike Gundy, but they’ve sometimes lost high-profile recruits to flashier programs with playoff résumés. A 12-team playoff allows OSU to pitch recruits on the chance to play for a national title, something that was harder to do in the past.
Moreover, appearances in nationally televised playoff games elevate the program’s brand, help in NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities, and build stronger fan and donor engagement.
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5. Validation of Program Consistency
One of Oklahoma State’s greatest assets is its consistency. The Cowboys have had only one losing season since 2005 and regularly compete at a high level. Yet in the previous system, consistency without perfection wasn’t enough. The expanded playoff rewards that type of sustained excellence.
Programs that win 9 to 11 games regularly—and do so in a Power Five league—will now see their seasons validated with a real chance to compete for a national championship. That sends the right message to players, fans, and recruits: Oklahoma State is a national contender, not just a regional one.
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Final Thoughts
The 12-team College Football Playoff isn’t just about creating more games—it’s about recognizing the depth of talent across college football. For a program like Oklahoma State, this is a pivotal opportunity. The Cowboys are no longer forced to compete for one of four spots in an exclusionary system. Instead, they can aim for regular playoff appearances, increased national relevance, and a legitimate path to a national title.
If they continue their upward trajectory and seize the moment in a post-Oklahoma Big 12, Oklahoma State could become a perennial playoff team—and possibly more.
