CFP Expansion Could Revive Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State Rivalry

The landscape of college football feels like it’s about to shift in a big way. Oklahoma Athletics Director Roger Denny has been talking about what the College Football Playoff (CFP) expansion might actually mean.

Denny’s got his eye on how strength of schedule will be judged. He wants more clarity about the selection process, especially now that the SEC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule.

This change could open the door for more interesting non-conference games. Maybe even the return of the classic Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State rivalry—something fans have missed.

Let’s dig into what Denny’s saying, the possible fallout from CFP expansion, and what all this could mean for the future of college football.

Understanding the Need for Clarity in Strength of Schedule Metrics

With the CFP expanding, athletic directors and coaches are left wondering how strength of schedule is actually going to be measured. Denny points out that comparing strength of schedule and strength of record between different conferences is a huge deal.

This is especially true for teams like Oklahoma, which just jumped from the Big 12 to the SEC. Right now, Denny says it’s tough to make apples-to-apples comparisons between conferences, and that leads to a lot of uncertainty.

If schools are going to take the risk of scheduling tougher non-conference games, they need to know that effort will count for something in the playoff committee’s eyes. The CFP committee is working on building trust, but until that’s sorted out, Oklahoma and others are wary of making big changes to their schedules.

The Role of the SEC’s Nine-Game Conference Schedule

The SEC moving from eight to nine conference games just makes everything a bit messier. Some folks thought the playoff would expand to 16 teams, which would make the extra conference game easier to swallow.

That hasn’t happened yet. Now, the Big Ten is pushing for a 24-team field, which is a pretty wild idea.

Part of the Big Ten’s pitch is to reward teams for playing tougher non-conference opponents. If that becomes the norm, we could see more big-time matchups, which is honestly what most fans want anyway.

The Importance of the Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State Rivalry

There’s something special about the Bedlam series between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. These two teams first squared off in 1904 and have played 118 times since.

But when Oklahoma moved to the SEC, the rivalry hit pause. Their last game was in 2023, and it’s been missed by just about everyone in the state.

Denny knows how much this game means to fans and to Oklahoma itself. He’d like to see Bedlam come back, as long as it doesn’t hurt Oklahoma’s playoff hopes.

There haven’t been any real talks with Oklahoma State yet about bringing Bedlam back. Still, if the CFP does expand, it might be easier to fit this rivalry into the schedule again.

Balancing Tradition and Playoff Aspirations

Getting Bedlam back on the calendar would make a lot of people happy. It would also help both teams’ strength of schedule.

Denny keeps stressing that it’s a balancing act. You want to honor tradition, but you can’t ignore playoff ambitions either.

Looking Ahead: The Future of College Football Scheduling

If the CFP grows to 16 or even 24 teams, college football scheduling could get a serious shake-up. Athletic directors and coaches are going to have to juggle the new strength of schedule rules while trying to keep the classic rivalries alive.

For fans, this could mean more high-stakes non-conference games and the return of old-school rivalries. For teams, it’s a shot to prove themselves on a bigger stage—assuming the selection process finally gives them credit where it’s due.

Key Takeaways

• Clarity in Strength of Schedule Metrics: Comparing strength of schedule and strength of record across conferences really matters for the CFP selection process. Getting this right is key.
• Impact of SEC’s Nine-Game Schedule: The SEC’s move to a nine-game conference schedule stirs things up. The Big Ten is pushing for a 24-team playoff to encourage tougher non-conference games.
• Reviving the Bedlam Rivalry: Oklahoma and Oklahoma State might bring back their historic rivalry. Any revival would need to fit playoff hopes and not block future opportunities.
• Future of College Football Scheduling: Expanding the CFP could spark more high-profile non-conference matchups. There’s a balance to strike between tradition and the drive to make the playoffs.

College football’s changing fast. Athletic directors and the CFP committee are making decisions that could shake up the whole sport.

If you want to dig deeper into how CFP expansion could shake things up, and hear Roger Denny’s take, check out the full article on ESPN.