Oklahoma State Makes First CFP Rankings of 2019

STILLWATER -- The first edition of the College Football Playoff rankings were released Tuesday evening and after experiencing a rough start the Big 12 schedule, followed by a solid turnaround, Oklahoma State checks in at No. 23.

Ohio State
LSU
Alabama
Penn State
Clemson
Georgia
Oregon
Utah
Oklahoma
Florida
Auburn
Baylor
Wisconsin
Michigan
Notre Dame
Kansas State
Minnesota
Iowa
Wake Forest
Cincinnati
Memphis
Boise State
Oklahoma State
Navy
SMU

Oklahoma State is currently sitting at 6-3 on the season, and they became bowl eligible after beating TCU this past Saturday in Stillwater. But just a few weeks ago, it seemed that the Cowboys were doomed to spend the rest of the season at the bottom of the Big 12 standings.

Things, however, started to change after the loss to the Baylor. The Pokes collapsed in the fourth quarter of the that game, which allowed Baylor to stay undefeated. Iowa State was next on the schedule, a game that many people had Iowa State pegged to win.

The Cowboy defense mounted a great effort and forced three turnovers in the fourth quarter, including a pick six by linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez.

Fast forward to this past week against TCU and the Cowboys did a few things that surprised a lot of people. Chuba Hubbard became the first player to ever rush for 200-plus yards against a Gary Patterson coached defense, the Cowboy offense became the first team to combine for over 300-yards against a Gary Patterson coached defense and the Cowboy defense, once again, showed up big and forced turnovers and stops that gave the Pokes the win.

There's three regular season games left for Oklahoma State: Kansas this coming weekend, followed by a trip to West Virginia, and they wrap the season on Nov. 30 by hosting Oklahoma.

It doesn't appear that Oklahoma State is going to be making the College Football Playoffs this season, but there's still plenty of time for Mike Gundy's team to work their way up the rankings and land in a solid bowl game.