Oklahoma State football: Cowboys mentioned in several bowl scenarios

But after Oklahoma State's loss to No. 2 Kansas State on Saturday night in Manhattan, the Cowboys' postseason picture becomes a bit clearer.

Barring madness, the Big 12 title and a BCS bowl berth are now out of reach for this OSU squad with two conference losses. But with home games against West Virginia and Texas Tech — two teams that lost again Saturday — on tap the next two weeks, then contests at Oklahoma and Baylor to end the season, the Cowboys still have a chance to go to a more-than-respectable bowl.

Here's a snapshot at those possible destinations:

Cotton Bowl

Location: Dallas

Date: Jan. 4

Matchup: Big 12 No. 2 vs. SEC

History: Lost to Mississippi 21-7 in 2010; Lost to Mississippi 31-28 in 2004; Beat TCU 34-0 in 1945

Possible opponents: LSU, South Carolina, Texas A&M

How OSU gets here: The Cowboys have a chance to climb this high if they finish third in the conference and a BCS bowl takes a second Big 12 team (likely Oklahoma). But Texas is also in position to finish here, and holds the tiebreaker over OSU because of its win in Stillwater. Not to mention, the Cotton Bowl could have the chance to peg the Longhorns against Texas A&M.

Alamo Bowl

Location: San Antonio, Texas

Date: Dec. 29

Matchup: Big 12 No. 3 vs. Pac-12 No. 2

History: Beat Arizona 36-10 in 2010; Lost to Ohio State 33-7 in 2004; Lost to Purdue 33-20 in 1997