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Huskers End Sooners Winning Streak, But OU Not Finished October 28, 2001 by Jason Waganer Executive Editor
On a rainy November afternoon in Norman, Okla. in 1957, Bud Wilkinson told his players, "the only people who never lose are the ones who never play the game." He told his players to be proud that they were a part of history and that was nothing to be ashamed of. This was the day OU's NCAA record 47-game win streak ended to Notre Dame -- a record which is still unmatched 44 years later.
Yesterday in Lincoln, Neb., OU's fourth longest win streak was snapped at 20 by the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Huskers beat the Sooners 20-10 in a heavyweight slugfest that wasn't really decided until late in the fourth quarter. But the loss, even though it in itself hurts, isn't what's bothering the players, coaches and fans the most. They are disappointed that their magical streak is ended forever. The feeling of invincibility is gone.
But what is not gone is the hope of a second straight National Championship. The Sooners were number one in the all-important Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings heading into Saturday's game. Nebraska was number two, UCLA was three, Miami number four, Virginia Tech number five and Texas ranked sixth.
With the close loss, OU is expected to drop to only the fourth or fifth spot in the Associated Press and Coaches polls, but probably only third in the BCS poll. This is partly because OU's loss came to Nebraska and partly because UCLA and Virginia Tech both lost for the first time on Saturday as well. And since OU beat Texas head to head, the newest BCS poll (which should be released Monday) should have Nebraska number one followed by Miami, Oklahoma and Texas. That's three Big 12 teams in the top four spots.
The top two BCS ranked teams at the end of the year get to play for the National Championship. And since OU should be ranked third, if the Sooners win out they'll get a second shot at the Huskers in Dallas at the Big 12 Championship Game. It would be a game where the winner goes on to play for the championship and the loser goes to a consolation BCS bowl game.
The likely opponent in the National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl would be Miami. However, if the Hurricanes slip up, Texas could be a wildcard.. Yes that's right, there's a good chance the Longhorns could make it to the National Championship game without having to play in the Big 12 Championship Game. If OU beat Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship, they could have to beat Texas again to be crowned back-to-back champs.
Of course, this is all purely speculation. This is why I like the BCS system. I know that a season ending championship tournament would be exciting. However, it would make Saturdays like yesterday not quite so dramatic. The BCS, love it or hate it, still allows the best teams to compete for a National Championship. OU and Texas both have one close loss on their schedules and both are not yet eliminated from the BCS hunt.
When the 1957 Sooners lost to Notre Dame it not only ended their feeling of invincibility and their glorious winning streak, but it also ended their dreams of a third straight National Championship season. Unfortunately in 1957 the Sooners didn't have the BCS. In 2001 they do and the championship dream is still alive. The Sooners just need to win out.
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