Enough already with the three way tie breaker discussion.  If all goes well Thursday and Saturday, the Horns will lose a head-to-head tie breaker with Texas Tech and it won't even matter.

Nonsense?

Blasphemy?

No.

If there was ever a time we shouldn't cut off our nose to spite our face, this is it.  So don't give in.  If all goes well, we won't have a shot at the Big 12 title because our aim is just a bit higher.  For all intents and purposes, the OSU-OU game decides which Big 12 south team makes it to the national title game.  a poke win, and Texas is in.  On the other hand, an OU blowout tosses all the logic aside. 

if the calendar was the other way around and Texas played Saturday night while OU played Thursday maybe things would be different.  But unfortunately the calendar isn't on our side.  The Bedlam game will be the last thing voters see before they send in their vote, and multiple shots of DeMarco Murray, Manny Johnson, Broyles, and Bradford dancing in the endzone in Stillwater will trump the 45-35 trump card.

Aside from the deep seeded anger, animosity, and hatred we would all share if OU advances to the Big 12 title game, there is a logic to pulling for the pokes:

Value A.  While I don't undervalue the opportunity to win the Big 12 title, we must all accept that playing for the national title is the ultimate goal of any program.  National title games and their outcomes define players, coaches, programs, and eras.  A birth to the Big 12 title game would certainly be nice, and winning it would obviously put us on the path to the BCS title game - but the downside to a big OU win means the Fiesta for Texas most likely.  If you were to walk by the Horn's trophy case next year which would grab your attention more? - the Big 12 Championship trophy that is inconspicuously missing or the program's 5th National Championship trophy and second in the last three years?  I'd give up the former for a shot at the latter.

Value B. What could possibly be worse than Texas not playing in the BCS title game? Texas not playing and OU playing in the title game.  Stoops would have his 6th Big XII title, and would be playing for his 2nd national title.  Additionally, beating Tech, OSU, Missouri, and possibly the national title would probably overcome all the negativity Stoops has endured after losing several consecutive bowl games.  Mack has started to turn the tide in Texas' favor by winning 3 of the past 4 RRS games, and securing recruiting classes rated higher than OU's.  The possibility of another OU title would derail that momentum, and could impact us immediately.  If Jamarkus McFarland is still debating what school to go to in January, a national championship for OU as well as the prospects of McCoy and Granger leaving would make OU an even more appealing choice.

Now let's consider the most likely, possible outcomes (assuming Texas, Bama, Florida, and Tech all take care of business).

1. Texas crushes A&M, OU crushes OSU - OU will gain around 0.01 points in the BCS standings on Texas because of the computers alone.  Assuming the polls hold steady, this will be enough to squeek by Texas and into the Big 12 title game.

2. Texas crushes A&M, OU beats OSU in a non-blowout - OU will gain around 0.01 points in the BCS standings on Texas because of the computers alone.  Expect to have a sleepless night Saturday along with the rest of us.

3. Texas crushes A&M, OU squeeks by OSU - OU will gain around 0.01 points in the BCS standings on Texas because of the computers alone.  Expect to have a sleepless night Saturday along with the rest of us but feel slightly comforted in the fact that doubt could creep into the minds of some voters.

4. Texas crushes A&M, OSU upsets OU - Even though Tech fans would be making the exact same, logical argument all Texas fans are making today, Texas would solidify it's #2 ranking aheah of Tech.  Texas would hold its computer advantage over Tech by virtue of a better non-conference schedule, and a nuetral field win over OU.  Additionally, USC, Utah, and possibly Florida would act as a buffer between Texas and Tech.  The body of work, complete with a nuetral field beating of a top 3 team in the country, would be enough. 

The worst thing that could happen is that a majority of voters band together and put Tech ahead of Texas on their ballots.  It would take a lot of them to overcome the difference in the computer polls, first off.  Secondly, it would be the right thing to do if you believe that head-to-head match-ups matter.  If that happens, I'll swallow that pill because at least OU will not be there at the end.  The second worst thing that could happen for the 'Horns at that point would be Tech completely and utterly destroying Missouri.  Tech could find its way back into the title game this way.  Once again, fuck it, I'd rather have Tech in the national title game than OU and so should every Horn fan out there.

So three of the four scenarios above afford us Value A (playing for the BCS title) or Value B (OU not playing for the Big XII and BCS title), or both.  The only scenario that doesn't involves you rooting your ass off for OU on Saturday and making an ass out of yourself in the process if OU romps over OSU.  So root for OSU, if they come up just short FAN-FUCKIN-TASTIC, if they win oh well it could have been worse.

Of course, by 8pm Tech will have choked against Baylor and you'll be half drunk by then.