PREMIUM
Rogers' ALAMO BOWL ANNIHILATION >>> SIZZLING 9-2 Bowl Run!
(NCAAF) Oklahoma State vs. Colorado,
Point Spread: 3.00 | -115.00 Oklahoma State (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 3.00 | -115.00 Oklahoma State (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The 2016 Alamo Bowl has its best matchup ever, as it features teams both ranked inside the top-12 of the final CFP rankings. No. 10 Colorado of the Pac-12 takes a 10-3 record into this game, while No. 12 Oklahoma State of the Big 12 checks in at 9-3. The teams in many ways are mirror images of each other, as both teams utilize spread offenses, employ mostly stingy, turnover-causing defenses and have special teams that excel.
Oklahoma State: The Cowboys lost their regular-season finale 38-20 at Oklahoma in the de facto Big 12 championship game. OSU has great offensive balance with QB Mason Rudolph throwing for 3,777 yards with 25 TD and just four INTs. He is backed by a solid rushing attack, averaging 169.5 YPG. RB Hill has run for 1,042 yards on 5.6 YPC. However, OSU needs Rudolph to play well. Rudolph has surpassed 350 yards passing in five games this year, including two of the past four contests and threw for a school-record of 540 yards in Oklahoma State's win over Pitt. The Cowboys' defense allows 457.0 YPG (108th) and 28.1 PPG (65th) but has forced 24 turnovers and ranks ninth nationally with a plus-10 turnover differential.
Colorado: The Buffs' unexpected turnaround, going from 5-40 in its first five seasons of Pac-12 play to 8-1 (10-3 overall) and winning the Pac-12 South, was one of the more surprising developments of CFB 2016 and garnered fourth-year head coach Mike MacIntyre national coach of the year awards. "We're excited about Colorado going to their first bowl game in 10 years," Buffaloes' coach Mike MacIntyre said. "It's a chance for us to get the monkey off our back for the bowl games and it's a lot of fun. Our kids will be excited about it. It's going to be a heck of a football game with a great atmosphere." The Buffaloes are also excited about having QB Sefo Linfau back for this game. Linfau missed most of the first half of the Pac-12 Championship game because of an ankle injury but he's healthy and ready. The four-year starter owns or has tied 87 school records (58 passing, 20 on offense and nine others). He has thrown for 2,171 yards and was responsible for 18 touchdowns (11 passing, 7 running) this season. The running game is led by Lindsay (1,189 on 5.2 YPC with 16 TDs) and averages 191.8 YPG to rank 48th. Colorado's defense made YUGE strides this year, after allowing 27.5 PPG and 417 YPG in 2015. This year's team allows 20.5 PPG (19th) on 327.6 YPG (16th). It also recorded 26 takeaways (tied for seventh nationally).
The pick: Colorado's turnaround was impressive but the Buffs earned wins over Stanford, Oregon and Utah by a combined 13 points and those programs were all weaker than usual. No one on Colorado's roster has ever been to a bowl game before, while Mike Gundy is taking the Cowboys to an 11th straight bowl appearance. Not sure why Colorado is the small favorite. Experience counts and make Oklahoma State an 8* play.
Oklahoma State: The Cowboys lost their regular-season finale 38-20 at Oklahoma in the de facto Big 12 championship game. OSU has great offensive balance with QB Mason Rudolph throwing for 3,777 yards with 25 TD and just four INTs. He is backed by a solid rushing attack, averaging 169.5 YPG. RB Hill has run for 1,042 yards on 5.6 YPC. However, OSU needs Rudolph to play well. Rudolph has surpassed 350 yards passing in five games this year, including two of the past four contests and threw for a school-record of 540 yards in Oklahoma State's win over Pitt. The Cowboys' defense allows 457.0 YPG (108th) and 28.1 PPG (65th) but has forced 24 turnovers and ranks ninth nationally with a plus-10 turnover differential.
Colorado: The Buffs' unexpected turnaround, going from 5-40 in its first five seasons of Pac-12 play to 8-1 (10-3 overall) and winning the Pac-12 South, was one of the more surprising developments of CFB 2016 and garnered fourth-year head coach Mike MacIntyre national coach of the year awards. "We're excited about Colorado going to their first bowl game in 10 years," Buffaloes' coach Mike MacIntyre said. "It's a chance for us to get the monkey off our back for the bowl games and it's a lot of fun. Our kids will be excited about it. It's going to be a heck of a football game with a great atmosphere." The Buffaloes are also excited about having QB Sefo Linfau back for this game. Linfau missed most of the first half of the Pac-12 Championship game because of an ankle injury but he's healthy and ready. The four-year starter owns or has tied 87 school records (58 passing, 20 on offense and nine others). He has thrown for 2,171 yards and was responsible for 18 touchdowns (11 passing, 7 running) this season. The running game is led by Lindsay (1,189 on 5.2 YPC with 16 TDs) and averages 191.8 YPG to rank 48th. Colorado's defense made YUGE strides this year, after allowing 27.5 PPG and 417 YPG in 2015. This year's team allows 20.5 PPG (19th) on 327.6 YPG (16th). It also recorded 26 takeaways (tied for seventh nationally).
The pick: Colorado's turnaround was impressive but the Buffs earned wins over Stanford, Oregon and Utah by a combined 13 points and those programs were all weaker than usual. No one on Colorado's roster has ever been to a bowl game before, while Mike Gundy is taking the Cowboys to an 11th straight bowl appearance. Not sure why Colorado is the small favorite. Experience counts and make Oklahoma State an 8* play.
