ALAMO BOWL
OHIO STATE vs. OKLAHOMA STATE ? December 29th, 8:00 pm
The turmoil created by the Maurice Clarett allegations leveled against the Ohio State program a few weeks back had just about died down when the school made public the fact that QB Troy Smith had accepted an improper gift from a Buckeye booster. Buckeye HC Jim Tressell is a great coach but his ass and the future of this program are on the line and whatever sanctions the NCAA decides to impose on Ohio State will be decided in the spring.
Under Ohio State QB Justin Zwick?s control, the Buckeyes were not the same team that QB Troy Smith led to a 37-21 victory over hated rival Michigan in their season finale. Zwick led the Buckeyes to a 3-3 record to start the season before being sidelined with a shoulder injury. The Buckeyes were only able to post rushing totals of 79, 64, 97, 99, and 27 yards in games 2 thru 6 with Zwick behind center. Since then, behind the leadership of Smith, the Buckeyes have gone 4-1 and were able to salvage their season which was headed nowhere after starting 0-3 in Big 10 play. Zwick appeared indecisive with the ball and in the six games he started was able to throw for only 5 touchdowns to go along with his 6 interceptions.
Oklahoma State played one of the toughest schedules in the nation and their only losses were to bowl bound Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech. The Cowboys were as successful as any team in the Big 12 team once they got into the red zone, converting 93.3% of those possessions into scores, including 34 touchdowns. Okie State RB Verand Morency is a powerful back and has run the ball for 1,454 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. Cowboy HC Les Miles gameplan to use Morency to set up the pass has worked well for this team and QB Donovan Woods has thrown for 1,491 yards with 13 touchdowns and a mere 3 interceptions on the year. The Okie State defense has allowed just 24 points per game despite playing in the high scoring Big 12 South and also led the nation in turnovers, finishing the regular season at +18.
This game will provide Ohio State a taste of Big 12 competition in preparation for next season?s scheduled game against Texas at the Horseshoe. Oklahoma State will bring a big crowd to San Antonio and the locals are decidedly Big 12 fans. The Buckeyes are just hoping that they are able to play in a bowl game next year after the NCAA interviews Clarett, Smith and a handful of other former players who have come forward to spill the beans since Clarett made his case public.
The Verdict: OKLAHOMA STATE (-3.5)
OHIO STATE vs. OKLAHOMA STATE ? December 29th, 8:00 pm
The turmoil created by the Maurice Clarett allegations leveled against the Ohio State program a few weeks back had just about died down when the school made public the fact that QB Troy Smith had accepted an improper gift from a Buckeye booster. Buckeye HC Jim Tressell is a great coach but his ass and the future of this program are on the line and whatever sanctions the NCAA decides to impose on Ohio State will be decided in the spring.
Under Ohio State QB Justin Zwick?s control, the Buckeyes were not the same team that QB Troy Smith led to a 37-21 victory over hated rival Michigan in their season finale. Zwick led the Buckeyes to a 3-3 record to start the season before being sidelined with a shoulder injury. The Buckeyes were only able to post rushing totals of 79, 64, 97, 99, and 27 yards in games 2 thru 6 with Zwick behind center. Since then, behind the leadership of Smith, the Buckeyes have gone 4-1 and were able to salvage their season which was headed nowhere after starting 0-3 in Big 10 play. Zwick appeared indecisive with the ball and in the six games he started was able to throw for only 5 touchdowns to go along with his 6 interceptions.
Oklahoma State played one of the toughest schedules in the nation and their only losses were to bowl bound Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech. The Cowboys were as successful as any team in the Big 12 team once they got into the red zone, converting 93.3% of those possessions into scores, including 34 touchdowns. Okie State RB Verand Morency is a powerful back and has run the ball for 1,454 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. Cowboy HC Les Miles gameplan to use Morency to set up the pass has worked well for this team and QB Donovan Woods has thrown for 1,491 yards with 13 touchdowns and a mere 3 interceptions on the year. The Okie State defense has allowed just 24 points per game despite playing in the high scoring Big 12 South and also led the nation in turnovers, finishing the regular season at +18.
This game will provide Ohio State a taste of Big 12 competition in preparation for next season?s scheduled game against Texas at the Horseshoe. Oklahoma State will bring a big crowd to San Antonio and the locals are decidedly Big 12 fans. The Buckeyes are just hoping that they are able to play in a bowl game next year after the NCAA interviews Clarett, Smith and a handful of other former players who have come forward to spill the beans since Clarett made his case public.
The Verdict: OKLAHOMA STATE (-3.5)
