CFB fans, media react to Baylor's incredible first half in Big 12 Championship
No. 5 Oklahoma State is on the verge of appearing in the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history. The Cowboys would be the second team from the Big 12 to make it to the Playoff as their rival in Oklahoma has gone four times. Oklahoma State needs to beat No. 9 Baylor in the Big 12 Championship Game to make it.
Unfortunately, those Playoff hopes are in serious danger as Oklahoma State is having a meltdown in the Championship Game as the Cowboys enter halftime with a 21-6 deficit. Baylor is having a field day against Oklahoma State on offense and defense. The Bears are creating huge turnovers from Oklahoma State by forcing 2 turnovers.
Baylor’s backup quarterback Blake Shapen has thrown for a near-perfect 17-of-21 completion for 151 yards and 3 touchdowns. Oklahoma State came into this game with one of the most consistent defenses in the nation as the Cowboys rank in the top 10 in all major defensive categories.
With a loss from Oklahoma State, it opens the door for No. 6 Notre Dame (11-1) and No. 7 Ohio State (10-2) to potentially grab the last spot for the Playoff. Here’s a look at how fans and media reacted to the first-half performance:
Notre Dame and Ohio State fans watching #ChampionshipWeekend rn pic.twitter.com/xzAno1Iusi
— 247Sports (@247Sports) December 4, 2021
Baylor's "backup" quarterback. pic.twitter.com/lUiPJlv01k
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 4, 2021
What. A. Throw. Baylor to CFP?
Meanwhile, in South Bend … pic.twitter.com/KnQncTssdj
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 4, 2021
Cowboys teetering badly now. Cheering audible from Cincinnati and South Bend.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) December 4, 2021
Per the ESPN Playoff Predictor, if Baylor wins…
* Notre Dame's odds go up by 15%
* Bama up 11%
* Cincy up 5%
* Michigan up 4%
* OSU down 37% 🙁— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) December 4, 2021
Breaking: Blake Shapen threw an incompletion.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 4, 2021
Convinced the entire Oklahoma State team bet Baylor ML
— Kyle Huesmann (@HuesmannKyle) December 4, 2021
Oklahoma State's offense is a mess right now.
Baylor's defense is dominating.
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) December 4, 2021
Baylor’s backup QB is currently 17/17 passing 😬😬 #bayvsokst pic.twitter.com/uuW36W1BXh
— GTD Sports (@GTD_Sports) December 4, 2021
Baylor has called every NCAA play that never works in this game and they've all worked
— 🦍BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL🦍 (@edsbs) December 4, 2021