Oklahoma State is currently at a price of +1.5 -105 1st half at 5dimes. Getting points either way in this game is Ludacris... Both teams are coming off bad and disappointing ends to their season, yet find themselves in the cotton bowl. Both of these teams looked poised to run for the BCS but just never got quite there consistently. Oh sure, they turned in a few fine appearances but overall, they really flat-out disappointed given the talent on these sidelines. Oklahoma State can cover a lot of ways here. They have a potent offense and a very, very stout rush defense. Zac Robinson will be a 100% for the bowl which should add quite a bit of doubt for the sub-par SEC defense in Ole Miss. The only reason I dont want the cowboys +3 for the game is due to the former Oklahoma State assistant coach Houston Nutt. He has a knack for pulling something out of his team to win these games. His 2nd half adjustments may very well win this game.
These two teams are mirror images of each other statistically and I can see a motivated sideline for both teams due to their coaching staffs. Oklahoma State is shooting for the 1st 10 win season since their coach, Mike Gundy, was pulling the triggers on the field at quarterback.
For Ole Miss, Mr. McCluster is what really makes this offense go, as Jevon Snead has regressed this year and just isn't making the throws. That doesn't bode well for a swarming 6th ranked Oklahoma state rush defense. Containing the ground/short pass game will be huge as McCluster is the target in both. Only averaging 21 points given up coming in to the game for Oklahoma St. In Ole Miss' last game, Miss. St. held McCluster to 82 yards on the ground and although they gave up 3 strikes from Snead, they prevailed easily in a shocker 41-27.
After being shutout last week, expect a healthy Zac Robinson and 2nd Big 12 leading rusher Keith Toston (98.1 rushing yards per game) to come out with something to prove. Ole Miss had trouble with a mediocre spread attack last game and they may fall victim to that again early in the game. I love how this Ole Miss team makes 2nd half adjustments, but Ok st. will be able to confuse and frustrate them early.
Interesting side note: This one is personal. Gundy was the quarterback when Houston Nutt was learning his trade as an assistant coach for Ok St. The coaches will be very familiar with one another, which is another reason I support the + points 1st half. This the fourth straight bowl appearance and seventh in the last eight seasons for the Cowboys. This year's Cotton Bowl will be a rematch of the 2004 game which was hard fought with Ole miss squeaking by 31-28.
Stats
REBELS
3-1 in the Cotton Bowl
7-2 against the big 12
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Passing Yds/Game 222.8
Rushing Yards a game 182.8
4.8 per rush attempt
COWBOYS (in Cowboy Stadium)
Rushing Yards a game 191
Rushing Yards per attempt 4.4
Passing Yards a Game 184.5
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This is a 3 star play and if you want a lean on the Game line, I'd give a slight, slight nod to the Ole miss ML