The Big 12 was basically written off as a College Football Playoff contender in September when Oklahoma lost to Houston and Ohio State in the first few weeks of the season. The prevailing theory at the time was that, while the Big 12 had other good teams, only Oklahoma was the conference's true playoff contender.

If you look at the current CFP Rankings, it seems the committee still feels that way.

Oklahoma is the only Big 12 team currently ranked in the top 10, but if last week -- or the last two years, really -- have taught us anything, it's that things can change quickly in the CFP. Throw in the fact that we know the committee values conference champions, and it adds even more importance to this game, as both of these teams are still fighting for a Big 12 title.

West Virginia storyline: This is about earning some respect. Three Big 12 teams are in the latest CFP Rankings, and West Virginia comes in behind both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State despite having one fewer loss than either.

You can understand why Oklahoma State is ahead of West Virginia, because it beat the Mountaineers, but why are the Mountaineers five spots behind the Sooners? Well, as CFP chair Kirby Hocutt told you on Tuesday night, it's because West Virginia doesn't have a quality win, which is true. WVU's best win is either 5-4 TCU or 5-5 Texas.

Compare that to Oklahoma's resume, which includes wins over both those TCU and Texas teams, as well as a win over a 6-3 Baylor team the committee couldn't wait to drop from the rankings. Surely a win over Baylor is enough to erase that second loss and still be worth five more spots in the poll than West Virginia!

If it isn't clear, I'm being sarcastic. I totally understand why the Mountaineers sense a lack of respect, and it's because that's exactly what they're being shown. On Saturday night, they have a chance to force the committee's hand.

Oklahoma storyline: Listen, this is a huge game for the Sooners. They're a win over West Virginia and Oklahoma State away from finishing the season 10-2 and becoming Big 12 champions with a 9-0 mark in conference play.

They would need some help, but considering where the CFP has this team currently ranked, it's obvious there's a path to the playoff for the Sooners. Oklahoma is already ranked No. 9, and wins over West Virginia and Oklahoma State would boost its resume. If Houston can beat Louisville this weekend, and Washington falters in the Pac-12, suddenly a two-loss Oklahoma team starts looking a lot more attractive to the committee.

Game pick: I guess you could say I'm a lot like the committee at this point. I think West Virginia is a good football team, one that is entirely capable of beating Oklahoma on Saturday night. The problem I have is that I just haven't seen West Virginia come through in an important spot like this yet. It failed its biggest test of the season thus far when it lost to Oklahoma State by 17 points. Oklahoma, on the other hand, has been in plenty of big games like this on, and knows what it takes to win them. So until West Virginia proves to me it does as well, I'm going to go with the Sooners. Oklahoma -2.5

No. 9 Oklahoma at No. 14 West Virginia, 8 p.m. ET, ABC
Line
West Virginia +2.5