ESPN: One key factor to watch in Big 12 Championship Game

This Saturday’s conference championship game slate could change the College Football Playoff like never before, and ESPN has what you need to know. With six of the nine teams with a chance to make the playoffs set to play on Saturday, it’s anybody’s guess on who makes it into the final four.

On Saturday, the Big 12 will have a different champion for the first time in six years, regardless of the outcome. Oklahoma State is seeking its first Big 12 championship since current head coach Mike Gundy led them to one in 2011. As for Baylor, it would be their first one since 2014 when the Bears shared it with the TCU Horned Frogs. A win would also deliver TCU its first outright one since 2013. The team over at ESPN have broken down the tale of the tape and this is their one key point to be mindful of in this heavyweight showdown.

One key: Baylor ball control.

“In these teams’ first meeting, a 24-14 OSU win, Baylor scored on a 55-yard run by Abram Smith and set up another TD on a 44-yard pass from Gerry Bohanon to Tyquan Thornton. Fifty-four other snaps averaged just 3.4 yards per play. The Bears punted on their first eight possessions,” wrote Bill Connelly of ESPN.

“In the five games after the loss, Baylor’s offense rebounded, averaging 34 points per game and 6.8 yards per play, but a Bohanon hamstring injury left the Bears to grind out wins over Kansas State and Texas Tech. Baylor’s bend-don’t-break defense is excellent in its own right — 18th in defensive SP+ — and will make plenty of stops against an inconsistent OSU attack. But Bohanon is uncertain for Saturday’s game, and while backup Blake Shapen appears solid, the Bears must figure out a way to move the chains and keep greater control of the ball.”

Oklahoma State survives Bedlam

No. 5 Oklahoma State used a strong second-half defense performance Saturday to beat No. 14 Oklahoma 37-33 and keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive.

The Cowboys (11-1, 8-1 in the Big 12) already had clinched a spot in next Saturday’s Big 12 Championship Game, and beating Oklahoma (10-2, 7-2) means they will play Baylor for the title. An OU win would’ve meant an immediate rematch next week. Oklahoma State beat Baylor 24-14 on October 2.

Because of No. 2 Ohio State’s loss and this preference in Bedlam, Oklahoma State moved up two spots in this week’s CFP rankings. This win helped the Cowboys creep ahead of Notre Dame in the rankings; they were one spot behind the Irish last week.