Cowboys Should Have All Eyes on Lincoln Riley's Statement vs Baylor on Championship Saturday

It seems inevitable that the Dallas Cowboys will be in the market for a new head coach this offseason. Jason Garrett's tenure with the team has been wildly mediocre, and the disappointment that has been the 2019 season may be the final straw.

But they can get a jump start on their potential search for a replacement by keeping an eye on Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley as he takes on Baylor in the Big 12 championship game, facing a major challenge in his final pre-playoff opportunity.

Riley, of course, has experienced plenty of success during his tenure with the Sooners, but there are still some questions about his game-planning and decision-making, especially considering his preference for high-flying offense, and occasional defensive neglect.

This rematch against Baylor will be a true test of his mettle. It will show whether or not he has the capability to piece together a strong defensive game plan after his team got punched in the teeth in the first half of Week 12.

It will also be yet another game to see how he performs under pressure. In addition to bragging rights and a conference championship being on the line, the Sooners are also playing for a potential spot in the College Football Playoff.

Riley may be faced with some difficult decisions if the game is tight, and the Cowboys would no doubt love to see if he has the guts to make decisions that Garrett shies away from.

In a nutshell, this game is a chance for Dallas to scout how Riley performs in the spotlight. They can catch a glimpse of how he might pan out if he were to coach on football's biggest stage.