THE HOLIDAY BOWL
OREGON VS. OKLAHOMA STATE
DECEMBER 30, 2008 SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
8:00 P.M. ET
The Oregon Ducks (9-3) arrive in San Diego coming off a resounding thumping of their arch-rival Oregon State 65-38. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-3) were soundly beaten by their nemesis, Oklahoma, 61-41 last time out. The 12th ranked Cowboys hope to complete a 10 win season for the first time since 1988. Ranked # 15, the Ducks have won three in a row. Sporting two of the nation’s top offenses, this game promises to be a shootout.
OREGON: UP: The Ducks lowest winning score this year was 31, with an average of 49+ points while winning. DE Nick Reed is again an Academic All-American as he broke Oregon’s career sack and tackles for loss records. Late season kicking duties went to Morgan Flint, who is perfect with 7 field goals and 22 PATs. QB Jeremiah Masoli has impressed all year in leading the Ducks to a 478 total yards per game average, and he has two years of eligibility left. DOWN: In their 3 losses they only scored 58 points total as opposing defenses literally stopped their rushing offense. Overall, Oregon is 4th nationwide in rushing, but only 73rd passing. Inside the red zone they come in at 53rd. The Ducks defense has been spotty coming in at just 108th nationwide vs. the pass. OT C.E. Kaiser and DT Ra’Shon Harris are both healing with ankle sprains. LB Josh Kaddu has a shoulder injury. All hope to play against the Cowboys.
OKLAHOMA STATE: UP: Head Coach Mike Gundy led the Cowboys to a Top Ten ranking this season for the first time in 20 years. Last Friday he inked a seven-year contact extension. This marks the team’s fourth straight bowl appearance. They averaged 46 points in their 9 wins and over 28 in 3 losses. The offense is 7th ranked nationally. With a 66% completion rate, QB Zac Robinson has averaged 233 passing yards per game. Rushing, the Cowboys have averaged 256 for an impressive all-around total of 489 yards per game. DOWN: Like Oregon, the defense is rather porous, allowing over 382 yards per game. They are even worse than the Ducks at pass defense, coming in at 110th nationally. For the year the Cowboys amassed only 13 sacks. They have needed a high-powered offense, since the defense has allowed nearly 27 points per game. After playing in all 12 games and setting a school record 95 yard TD pass reception vs. Iowa State, WR Jeremy Broadway was dismissed from the team for violating team policy. Coach Gundy had no further comment.
KEYS TO THE GAME: The defense that steps up will win this game for their team. The Cowboys will need to contain Oregon’s 4th ranked rushing game led by RB Jeremiah Johnson with 1082 yards and TB LeGarrette Blount with 933. The Ducks porous defensive backfield must find ways to plug some of the holes there, or it will be a long game for them.
BY THE NUMBERS: The line gives the nod to OSU at -3. For the season the Cowboys have been 8-3 ATS and 6-5 O/U. The Ducks have been 6-6 ATS and 7-4 O/U. As favorites OSU is 7-0 SU and 6-1 ATS. As an underdog OR is 1-2 both SU and ATS. In bowl games since 1993 Oklahoma is 3-3 SU and 2-2 ATS while Oregon is 5-8 SU and 5-7 ATS. This game promises to be a workout for the scoreboard. It should please those who like to see lots of points scored, with the O/U at 77.