2017 CAMPING WORLD BOWL – OKLAHOMA ST vs VIRGINIA TECH
OKLAHOMA ST -5 VIRGINIA TECH (62)
MEGALOCKS LINE – Oklahoma St -5
Sagarin ratings – Oklahoma St -1
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: Oklahoma St 33.5 Virginia Tech 28.5
The Game
Campers. Start your engines !
We have a really intriguing contrast in styles colliding in this one as the high-flying Oklahoma St Cowboys battle the tough defense and lunch pail attitude of the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Pokes were planning on participating in the Big 12 Championship game but could not get it done. They still bagged 9 wins and will try to get to double digits. Virginia Tech also finished the regular season with nine wins and finished 2nd in the ACC Coastal behind YOUR Miami Hurricanes. HC Justin Fuente will try and make it back-to-back 10 win campaigns. Let’s do this !
The Match-Up
Oklahoma St offense vs Virginia Tech defense
QB Mason Rudolph has been a great performer at Oklahoma St and we get one more chance to watch him shine before he is off to the NFL. Of course, it won’t be easy going up the stout Tech defense, but he has many weapons at his disposal. Rudolph threw for an amazing 4,553 yards and 35 TDs this season and has a devastating WR group to rely upon when MATRICULATING in the passing game. James Washington is an elite talent and he followed up his 1,380 yard campaign from a year ago with another 1,400+ yards and 12 TDs at a devastating 20 (!) yards per pop in 2017. They also have another 1,000 yard receiver (Marcel Ateman) and truly go 4-5 deep. Justice Hill somehow flies under the radar even though he is an excellent rushing/receiving threat (1300 rushing yards, 14 TD; 30 receptions). These boys are gonna be a handful.
The Hokies bring an excellent stop unit into this game and are not going to make things easy for Oklahoma St. Virginia Tech finished the regular season ranked #11 in the FBS in total defense and were top 15 in run defense and pass efficiency defense. They are ROCK SOLID on 3rd downs (#2 FBS; 25%) and will have to do a good job in that regard to stop the Pokes from getting out to a big lead. The Hokies can also achieve PENETRATION (#3 ACC sacks per game; #4 TFL/game) and will definitely be able to get some pressure on Rudolph. Amaze your parole officer with this gem – VT cornerback Greg Stroman led the FBS in lowest completion % allowed when his dude is targeted (22%).
Virginia Tech offense vs Oklahoma St defense
The Hokies enter this game with some key missing pieces. #1 WR (and LEGIT #1) Cam Phillips is out due to injury and Tech will also be without their leading rusher Travon McMillan, although to be fair, he has been pretty underwhelming. QB Joshua Jackson provides good mobility but we are not sure what kind of production they will get out of the running game. Okie St was ranked #27 vs the run and we do not expect a ton of success on the ground. Then again, prepare to be surprised in bowl season, AMIRITE ? The Hokies are lacking in proven weapons in the passing game. There was a big drop-off after Phillips and #2 WR Sean Savoy will need to step up. Oklahoma St yielded a lot of passing yards but they should be able to keep the Hokies in check. QB Jackson passed for 2,700 yards and 19 TDs (60%) completions so all is not lost. He will have to get creative in distributing the football.
Motivation / Intangibles
Oklahoma St – This is not exactly where they wanted to be. The good news is that HC Gundy is 7-4 in bowl games.
Grade – Average.
Virginia Tech – Ditto. A bit of a disappointment. HC Justin Fuente is 2-0 in bowl games.
Grade – Average.
MEGA BOWL BITES
It feels like the teams are not geeked up for this but the FANS should be. These are two fine programs that have combined for 18 wins. AND you get a great offense vs a great defense……Special teams may be the answer to the puzzle for the Hokies…..They have a significant edge in all areas other than PK…..they even blocked 5 kicks this year.
Summary
Normally we would lean to the Hokies in a game like this but we have no idea what to expect from their offense. Oklahoma St can blow it open early if they are on their game BUT this is a bowl game and this is OKLAHOMA ST. They did not exactly have their way with the good defenses they faced (TCU, Texas). They also struggled mightily vs Kansas St for three quarters.
Conclusion
Official play: None.
Best play on the game: Virginia Tech team total under 28.5 for small potatoes.