Oklahoma State and Ole Miss took different paths to the Sugar Bowl.
For the Rebels, last week was somewhat predictable. Their major hurdle was cleared last Tuesday when they passed Florida in the College Football Playoff committee rankings by a whopping five spots.
That left only for the Gators to lose to Alabama in the SEC championship game — not automatic but very likely — to clinch a spot in the Sugar Bowl for Ole Miss.
So the Rebels had an idea things would work out for them.
Oklahoma State did not have quite as much hope that it would land in a New Year’s Six game.