If Oklahoma wins the Big Eight Conference...

If Oklahoma wins the Big Eight Conference football title while on probation, the Orange Bowl will not have to invite the Big Eight runner-up, a bowl official said.

A clause in the original 1975 contract tying the Big Eight champion to the Orange Bowl gives the Orange Bowl Committee the option of choosing the best available team, regardless of conference, if the Big Eight champion is on probation, bowl president Jim Barker said.

The National Collegiate Athletic Assn. announced Monday that Oklahoma had been put on 3 years’ probation and is banned from bowl appearances for 2 years.