re: Had Oklahoma State been 12-0 in 2011, is it possible Bama still gets in over them?

And that results in the best recruits going to said Tier 1 programs, making them better teams anyways. The lower tier you are, the harder it is to go undefeated or even have 1 loss. Plus the fact that you have to be perfect while the anointed teams get more leeway. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy perpetuated by the sports media.