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2009 Sun Bowl Predictions: Stanford v. Oklahoma Football Odds & Picks

Written by Jimmy Boyd on December 29, 2009

The 7-5 Oklahoma Sooners take on the 8-4 Stanford Cardinals on CBS New Year’s Eve in the 2009 edition of the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. NCAA football odds makers have listed Oklahoma as a 10-point favorite with the total set at 55.5.

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Led by Heisman Trophy finalist Tony Gerhart, the Stanford Cardinal look to finish their best season in eight years in the win column against an Oklahoma team thought to be a BCS championship contender before last year’s Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford went down.

The 19th-ranked Cardinal have locked up their first winning season since 2001, when they lost to Georgia Tech in the Seattle Bowl. But this Cardinal team is confident that it can finish strong behind its unanimous All-American running back. Gerhart’s 1,736 yards and 26 touchdowns led the nation and helped Stanford finish second in the Pac-10.

Coach Jim Harbaugh has wasted no time taking Stanford from Pac-10 doormat to contender and his efforts have earned him a three-year contract extension. He helped lead the Cardinal on a memorable November run which included impressive wins over then-No. 7 Oregon and then-No. 11 USC.

Stanford could have its work cut out for itself in this game, though, against one of the elite run-stuffing units in the nation. Oklahoma ranks No. 7 in the country in rushing defense, allowing just 88.6 yards per game. But it is worth noting that the Sooners are just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 bowl games. If you like the Cardinal to continue their 2009 upset parade, bet Stanford at +10 at BetUS.

Oklahoma’s offense has been hit hard by Bradford’s injury, but its defense has certainly done its part. Oklahoma ranks seventh in the nation in total defense, allowing just 273.5 yards per game. And this stout defense features more than a few pro prospects. One of those prospects is defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who has announced that he will make the leap to the NFL next season. The Sooners are coming off a strong performance against then-No. 11 Oklahoma State, perhaps their best of the season, limiting their rivals to just 62 yards rushing in a 27-0 win.

Offensively, its been an up and down season for freshman QB Landry Jones. Because of that, expect to see a heavy dose of running backs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown in this game. Murray should be fired up after missing last year’s BCS title game with a ruptured tendon and the Fiesta Bowl the previous year with a dislocated knee. It is worth noting that the Sooners are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 versus the Pac-10. If you like the Sooners to make up for a tough season with a big win in the Sun Bowl, bet Oklahoma at -10 at BetUS.

Jimmy Boyd has dominated the bowl season each of the last two years, finishing the 2007-08 bowl season on a 14-5 run and the 2008-09 season on a 10-4 home stretch run. Crush your book again this year through the BCS Championship Game with Jimmy’s expert football picks!

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