KTUL.com - Tulsa's Channel 8 - News, Weather & SportsTitle Hopes Not Lost For Cowboys Despite Loss

Oklahoma State's 37-31 double overtime loss at Iowa State Friday night puts fans in a position OU supporters have gotten used to over the past few years -- watching the scoreboard.

While the loss puts OSU's shot at the national championship a stretch, it's not out of the question. With three weeks left in the season, there's a lot of football to be played and the Pokes can just look down the turnpike for inspiration.

Oklahoma fans have watched this before. In 2003, the Sooners lost to Kansas State in the Big 12 championship game, but ended up in the title game against LSU. And, in 2008, when the Sooners lost the Red River Rivalry to Texas, November losses by Texas Tech and Alabama allowed OU to move into the title game again.

It happens and IT seems to happen in November. Remember 2007? Everyone penciled in Missouri and West Virginia with just one week left to play. Neither made the title game -- it was Ohio State and LSU who were third and seventh heading into the final weekend.

Fans of the Cowboys will be doing a lot of scoreboard watching over the next two weeks. Top-ranked LSU has a tough test against sixth-ranked Arkansas. Alabama still has its rivalry game with Auburn. And, Oregon plays USC Saturday in a game that is far from a gimme.

All of that and a win over Oklahoma in the Bedlam game could push the Cowboys right back into the championship game. It could happen. And, it does happen -- almost every year.