| 01 January 2012
This year’s Fiesta Bowl is one of the most highly-anticipated bowl games of the season. Like the Rose Bowl, it features two high-powered offenses. While the running backs are getting all the attention in the Rose Bowl, the Fiesta Bowl is all about the quarterbacks as Stanford’s Andrew Luck leads his team against Brandon Weeden and the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Both teams enter this game 11-1 and ranked in the BCS top five. One loss prevented both teams from a likely berth in the national championship game against LSU. Had Stanford beaten Oregon, the Cardinal would have on the Pac-12 and likely earned a trip to New Orleans. Oklahoma State had the inside track on a championship game berth; all the Cowboys had to do was run the table, and they were in. A stunning overtime loss to Iowa State the day after learning of the death Oklahoma State women’s basketball coach Kurt Budke, assistant coach Miranda Serna, and two others derailed the Cowboys’ national title hopes.
Behind Andrew Luck, the presumptive #1 overall pick in the NFL draft, the Cardinal steamrolled the opposition. Their lone blemish was a 53-30 loss at home to Oregon. Stanford also outlasted USC in a 56-48 triple overtime thriller that was one of the best games of the season.
Oklahoma State rampaged through its schedule behind an aerial assault led by Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon. The Cowboys’ lone setback was the aforementioned loss to Iowa State, but they regrouped and took out their frustrations on bitter rival Oklahoma in the annual Bedlam game, 44-10.
Key matchup: Stanford’s defense vs. Oklahoma State RB Joseph Randle
Oklahoma State RB Joseph Randle (1, white)
Weeden, Blackmon and the passing game get most of the press, but Randle has been extremely productive in the running game. Oregon was able to run on Stanford, and the Ducks don’t have nearly the passing attack that the Cowboys do. Stanford will try and get pressure on Weedon and corral Blackmon and his fellow receivers meaning that there will be holes available for Randle. If he can run effectively, it will further open up the passing game and put even more pressure on Luck to keep pace with the Oklahoma State offense. He buckled under that pressure against Oregon.
Why you should watch: Like the Fiesta Bowl, the amount of talent on the field is ridiculous. Luck is the most ballyhooed quarterback prospect in years. Not only is he a great quarterback (he’s completed 70 percent of his passes for 3,170 yards, 35 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions), but he’s a great athlete as well. Just look up his exploits on YouTube, and you’ll find an incredible one-handed catch and numerous clips of him laying people out, either while running the ball or while making a tackle after a turnover. Running back Stepfan Taylor rushed for 1,153 yards and eight touchdowns, and the Cardinal have a number of NFL prospects at tight end. Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden completed 72.6 percent of his passes for 4,328 yards and 34 touchdowns against only 12 interceptions. His favorite target was Blackmon. The All-American had 113 receptions for 1,336 yards and 15 touchdowns and is a likely first-round pick. Often forgotten in the shadow Weeden and Blackmon is running back Joseph Randle who rushed for 1,193 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Why you shouldn’t watch: Just like the Fiesta Bowl, there is no reason not to watch this game unless you don’t enjoy watching college football.
Prediction: This is going to be a high-scoring affair. Stanford has struggled a bit down the stretch, but Oklahoma State’s defense gives up a lot of yards. They also force a ton of turnovers, too. Plus, the Cowboys just have that “Team of Destiny” look. It’s their year, the loss to Iowa State notwithstanding. This is the best year in school history, and they’ve beaten every ranked team on their schedule. They got the monkey off their back against Oklahoma in convincing fashion, and the entire school and fanbase has to be energized about their first BCS bowl appearance. Luck & Co. will put up a good fight, but the Cowboys will just be too much to handle. Oklahoma State wins a high-scoring affair.
