2012 Fiesta Bowl Line

The Fiesta Bowl has had an eventful year. It has gone through a major scandal involving improper gifts to lawmakers and other policymakers and nearly lost its status as a BCS bowl game.

There were fireworks all around the game. But with the selection of No. 3 Stanford and No. 4 Oklahoma State – two of the most potent offenses in college football – to play in this year’s edition of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, there may be an expectation of fireworks in the game for a change.

This game will mark the first-ever meetings between these teams.

A look at the most recent college football odds shows Oklahoma State -3.5, while the total has been set for 74 points.

Stanford

The Cardinal tied for the top spot in the Pac-12 North Division (8-1) but lost to co-champ Oregon to miss a spot in the league title game. The team has won its last two games, most recently a 28-14 win over Notre Dame. Stanford is 5-0 away from home this year.

Stanford ranks fifth nationally in points scored (44 ppg) while recording 481 yards per game (273 passing, 208 rushing). Andrew Luck completes 70 percent of his passes for 3,170 yards and 35 touchdowns with nine interceptions.

Griff Whalen leads the receiving corps with 49 catches (14 more than anyone else) for 664 yards and four TDs, while Stepfan Taylor anchors the running game with 1,153 yards and eight TDs on 5.6 yards per carry.

Defensively, Stanford ranks 23rd nationally in points allowed (20 ppg), giving up 331 yards per game (241 passing, 90 rushing) while compiling 38 sacks and forced 21 turnovers – two of which were returned for TDs (Michael Thomas, interception; Max Bergen, fumble).

Jarek Lancaster leads the unit with 63 tackles, while Michael Thomas has 61 tackles and a team-best three interceptions. Chase Thomas pitches in with 8.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.

Oklahoma State

The Cowboys got to 10-0 before stumbling in double-overtime at Iowa State (37-31), but rebounded with a 44-10 win over Oklahoma in the Bedlam game. Overall, Oklahoma State is 5-1 away from home, including wins at Texas A&M and Texas.

OSU ranks second in the country in points scored (49 ppg) and recording 557 yards per game (386 passing, 171 rushing). Brandon Weeden completes 73 percent of his passes for 4,328 yards and 34 TDs with 12 interceptions. The offensive line has allowed 11 sacks.

All-American Justin Blackmon leads the receiving corps with 113 receptions for 1,336 yards and five TDs, while Joseph Randle anchors the running game with 1,123 yards and 23 scores on 6.0 yards per carry.

Defensively, the Cowboys rank 61st nationally in points allowed (26 ppg) and give up 446 yards per game (266 passing, 180 rushing) while recording 28 sacks and forcing 42 turnovers – three of which were returned for TDs (Richetti Jones and Josh Stewart, fumbles; Shaun Lewis, interception).

Daytawion Lowe leads the team wit 88 tackles and three forced fumbles while Jamie Blatnick has seven sacks and two fumble recoveries. Brodrick Brown has five picks to go with two fumble recoveries and Jones has three forced fumbles and three recoveries.