NORMAN, Okla. —
Oklahoma understood by Sunday afternoon that it was going to the Cotton Bowl. Once the polls that compose the BCS formula started coming, the writing was on the wall.
However, the stunning rise that made Northern Illinois an automatic qualifier for a BCS game — it will face ACC champion Florida State in the Orange Bowl — was unprecedented.
No team had ever risen from outside the top 25 in the BCS standings in the final weeks until Northern Illinois did it — with wins over Eastern Michigan and Kent State in the MAC championship game.
West Virginia made a jump from unranked to 16th in 2009, but it did not play in a BCS bowl game.
Georgia Tech jumped from 22 to 14 in the final two weeks in 2008. The Yellow Jackets also didn’t get a BCS bowl bid.
Wake Forest jumped from 21 to 14 in 2006. It did win the ACC title that season and went on to the Orange Bowl.
One more unbelievable fact about Northern Illinois’ rise: It went from No. 21 to 15 in the BCS standings in the final BCS standings.
When Texas A&M, which will face OU in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 4, beat then-No. 1 Alabama on Nov. 10, the Aggies jumped seven spots.
Hard to argue that Texas A&M’s win over the Crimson Tide was the most impressive of the college football season. After all, Alabama will face undefeated Notre Dame in the national championship game Jan. 7.
However, according to the six computer polls used in the BCS formula, Northern Illinois’ victory over Kent State in the MAC title game was more impressive.
Texas A&M’s computer average, which makes up a third of a team's BCS point total, jumped from No. 11 to No. 8 after beating Alabama.
Northern Illinois went from No. 23 to No. 19 after it beat Kent State.
State, national, world
Sooner Report: Northern Illinois' rise unprecedented
- State, national, world
-
-
Oklahoma Legislature OKs tax breaks for storm victims
The bill approved unanimously in the Senate on Friday also provides sales tax breaks for businesses that donate inventory to help storm victims and property tax credits for property that increases in value after it's rebuilt.
-
Update: Company says it has permits to cross span
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste blamed it on a tractor-trailer carrying a tall load that hit an upper part of the span. Motorists in the water walked away with minor injuries.
-
Birth control coverage, Hobby Lobby fight up for federal appeal
The Oklahoma City-based arts-and-crafts chain argues that businesses — not just the currently exempted religious groups — should be allowed to seek exception from access to the morning-after pill section of the health law if it violates their religious beliefs.
-
Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys
Gay adults will remain barred from serving as Scout leaders.
-
37-year-old man charged in Washington state ricin scare
A grand jury indictment accuses Matthew Ryan Buquet, 37, of mailing a death threat to U.S. District Judge Fred Van Sickle in Spokane on May 14.
-
Fairchild AFB still candidate for new planes
Fairchild was a finalist for the job, along with bases in North Dakota and Altus, Okla., which was chosen to be base for a training unit, according to Washington officials.
-
3 southwest Kansas children found safe 5 miles from home
A citizen spotted them around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Liberal and took them to a business. They were reported to be tired and hungry.
-
Urban renewal? Big U.S. cities showing strong growth
Prior to 2011, suburbs had consistently outpaced big cities since 1920, with the rise of the automobile.
-
House passes GOP bill to speed pipeline approval
Republicans said the measure was needed to ensure that the long-delayed pipeline, first proposed in 2008, is built.
-
Lawyer: Feds investigating Susan Powell case
Newly released police records show that Utah officials believe Josh Powell likely killed his wife in late 2009, and that his brother, Michael Powell, helped dispose of the body, but authorities felt they didn't have enough evidence to prove that theory in court.
- More State, national, world Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
