Oklahoma has previously qualified for the CFP semifinals with a suspect defense, but this season's D is bad even by the Sooners' standards. Oklahoma State had 39 first downs on Saturday, the most any team has earned on an FBS defense this season. The Cowboys had 20 first downs on first-and-10 alone, racked up a total of 640 yards and averaged an astounding 7.4 yards per play.
If the selection committee is going to penalize UCF in part because of its defense, will it apply the same measure of criticism to its current No. 6 team? UCF is No. 54 in defensive efficiency. Oklahoma is No. 83.
Will Oklahoma's defensive struggles open the door for West Virginia to leapfrog the Sooners? Or will it hurt the entire Big 12's playoff position?
Last week, selection committee chair Rob Mullens lauded UCF's offense but questioned its defense.
"Obviously, they have a powerful offense," Mullens said. "McKenzie Milton continues to lead that powerful offense. But when you watched their game last week, you could see the defensive struggles. They gave up nearly 700 yards to Temple. Again, that is a piece of it. Strong offense, struggling on defense."