Camping World Bowl: Oklahoma St. and Virginia Tech go for 10-win seasons
Camping World Bowl
Virginia Tech (9-3) vs. Oklahoma State (9-3)
5:15 p.m. Dec. 28, Orlando (ESPN)
Oklahoma State -5, O/U 65
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Virginia Tech: The Hokies’ only weird loss came to Georgia Tech in a 28-22 defeat. Though Georgia Tech always pulls an upset or two with its triple-option, so perhaps it isn’t too surprising. That loss to the Yellow Jackets came a week after Virginia Tech lost a de facto Coastal Division championship game to Miami. The Hokies won their final two games of the season to finish at 9-3.
Oklahoma State: The Cowboys were the only team at the top of the Big 12 standings that didn’t lose to Iowa State. But here’s the rub — Oklahoma State lost to the teams that lost to Iowa State. OSU’s losses to TCU and Oklahoma put the Cowboys at a tiebreaker disadvantage. Ultimately, tiebreakers didn’t matter after Oklahoma State lost at home to Kansas State in the next-to-last week of the season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Josh Jackson, Virginia Tech, QB: Jackson is going to be even more important than usual. Virginia Tech’s leading rusher Travon McMillan is missing the game because he’s transferring. Leading receiver Cam Phillips is missing the game because of a sports hernia injury. His absence will mean a lot more, as he’s the only VT receiver with more than 40 catches or 500 yards receiving. Jackson will need to lean on Sean Savoy, Eric Kumah and others in the passing game.
James Washington, Oklahoma State, WR: The Biletnikoff winner is the most exciting wide receiver in college football. Washington averages over 20 yards a catch and has 69 receptions for 1,423 yards and 12 touchdowns. Washington broke the 100-yard barrier in eight of OSU’s 12 games this season and scored in nine. He and Marcell Ateman (54 catches for 1,049 yards and eight scores) form one of the best receiving tandems in college football.
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH
Oklahoma State’s offense can be one of the most explosive in the country. Watching Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster’s gameplan to defend the Cowboys should be fun. The Hokies’ pass defense was No. 49 in the country, allowing 12.8 yards a completion. OSU’s pass offense is the best in the country and has averaged nearly 15.5 yards a completion.
WHAT’S ON THE LINE
Virginia Tech is looking for a fourth-straight bowl win. The Hokies’ last los came in the 2013 Sun Bowl. Oklahoma State is looking for its second-straight bowl win and a victory would make Mike Gundy 8-4 in postseason games as Oklahoma State’s head coach.
PREDICTIONS
Nick: Oklahoma State 41, Virginia Tech 24
Sam: Oklahoma State 38, Virginia Tech 31
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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
