Big 12 Football: Predicting Every 2016 Bowl Game
Valero Alamo Bowl – Dec. 29
Oklahoma State vs. Colorado
If it wasn’t for the early season referee blunder against Central Michigan or the bad loss to Baylor, we may be talking about Oklahoma State differently here. They would be in a top bowl game, potentially in the New Year’s Six, and even the Big 12 Conference winner. Alas, we still have them playing Colorado, though, in the Valero Alamo Bowl on December 29.
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The Cowboy defense is a bit rough, as they’re 95th in the FBS in passing yards allowed (3,031). They recently allowed Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield to torch them for 288 yards on just 19 passing attempts. Texas Tech’s Pat Mahomes also had 361 yards of his own. They’ll be going against Sefo Liufau, whose injured presence led to Colorado being crushed in the Pac-12 Championship game against Washington. If he’s going to be healthy for this matchup, then Oklahoma State may have their hands full.
The Buffaloes also have Phillip Lindsey, who has 16 rushing touchdowns and nearly 1,200 yards on the season. Oklahoma State is 90th in the nation in rush defense, so this may be a problem as well.
However, Mike Gundy’s offense can’t be avoided. They have been led by quarterback Mason Rudolph, who has nearly 4,000 passing yards and just four interceptions. James Washington has reeled in 1,209 of those yards as a receiver, looking like one of the best wideouts in the Big 12. This passing game has made for a top 10 offense in all of college football, which has somewhat offset the poor defense.
If Liufau isn’t 100-percent, then Oklahoma State may be able to score enough to outlast this tough Colorado defense. If he’s good to go, this should be a close one with this Pac-12 team taking the game in a close one.