Dave Aranda comments on Baylor's College Football Playoff chances
Fans wanted chaos in the College Football Playoff rankings. They might have gotten it — and Baylor is right in the middle of it.
The No. 9-ranked Bears upset No. 5 Oklahoma State 21-16 in the Big 12 Championship on Saturday, throwing a big monkey wrench into Sunday’s final rankings. Plenty of things need to happen for Baylor to make the playoff, but it’s not entirely out of the equation.
For Baylor coach Dave Aranda, he’s not worried about where his team falls in the rankings. He just wants his group to show up and play ball — wherever and whenever that may be.
“We try our very best to handle to stuff we can control,” Aranda told ABC sideline reporter Molly McGrath after the game. “There’s been two games so far this year, really almost three where we struggled with that. So I think just the stuff that’s lined up in front of us – whatever it is – we’re going to do our best to show up and be us.”
It was quite an effort from Baylor, notably quarterback Blake Shapen. He completed 23 of 28 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bears’ offensive attack.
Shapen’s success was essential for the Bears, who fell victim to Oklahoma’s rushing defense — the best in the Big 12 this season. Abram Smith led Baylor with 17 carries for 63 yards, but not much else happened for the Bears on the ground.
Oklahoma State was without a key weapon in the game. Running back Jaylen Warren has been dealing with a lower leg injury and was ruled out for the game by coach Mike Gundy at halftime. The Action Network’s Brett McMurphy reported Warren has been dealing with an ankle injury.
WATCH: Baylor wins Big 12 title on this goal-line stand
After a pass interference in the end zone gave Oklahoma State the ball at the one-yard line with over a minute left to play in the game, the Cowboys had four chances to score and go up by at least one. On their last attempt, after some pre-snap confusion, Oklahoma State tried to score on a counter handoff.
Running back Desmond Jackson took the handoff and sprinted towards the pylon on the far side of the field. Baylor safety Jarion McVea chased down Jackson and met him at the goal line. McVea’s pursuit forced the Cowboy to dive for the end zone, where he landed inches short of the touchdown.