Kickoff: 4:30 PM CT
Location: Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
Television: ESPN
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Twitter: Follow @HeartlandPokes for updates and discussion during the game
Setting the Stage
After a bit of a letdown of a season, the No. 21 Oklahoma State Cowboys are all prepped and ready to go against the No. 18 Miami Hurricanes in the Cheez-It Bowl.
The Cowboys finished the season 7-3, and despite not making it to the Big 12 Championship like they would have liked, they did finish the regular season on a high note, defeating the Baylor Bears 42-3.
The Hurricanes finished their season 8-2, and they ended their regular season on a sour note, dropping a 62–26 decision to the North Carolina Tarheels.
Oklahoma State will be without running back Chuba Hubbard since he decided to opt out prior to the season finale, but wide receiver Tylan Wallace will be playing in the bowl game to wrap up a fantastic career at Oklahoma State. Quarterback Spencer Sanders has had varied success throughout the season, but a solid performance today would be a nice way to head into his junior season.
The Cowboy defense had one of their best performances of the seasons against Baylor, holding the Bears to just 156 yards of total offense. They had better be ready for the matchup today, because the Hurricanes are no joke.
Quarterback D’Eriq King is the leader of Miami’s offense, and with good reason. The Hurricanes average 34.0 points per game, good for 27th in the NCAA. Averaging 432.6 yards of total offense per game, they’ve been able to find success on the ground and through the air.
Despite both programs falling short of their preseason goals, this matchup should be a fun one for everyone to watch. It’s predicted to be a close one, so the victory will likely be decided in the final minutes of the game.
Odds
Line: Miami -1.0
O/U: 61.5
Predictions
| Craig | 27-24 MIA |
| Mark | 34-31 OSU |
| Matt | 28-27 MIA |
| Rich | |
| Zack | 34-31 OSU |