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The Janus Report: Free Holiday Bowl Pick

Written by Steve Janus

holiday-bowl-janus-report-123008 The stage is set for a shootout in the 2008 Holiday Bowl with the Oregon Ducks against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Oklahoma State enjoyed a 9-3 regular season record this year in a very competitive Big 12 conference. The Ducks also ended their season at 9-3, ending their season at 7-2 in the Pac-10, good enough to tie them for second in the conference. Both teams feature explosive offenses, which sets us up for what should be an entertaining game in the first-ever match up between these two schools.

Oklahoma State’s success this season was based mostly on the production of their offensive unit. As a team the Cowboys averaged 41.6 points per game and 489.2 total yards per game in the regular season. Their offensive attack is very balanced, but the running game really sets this team apart. They average 256 rushing yards per game on 5.6 yards per carry. In addition to the running game, they Cowboys also have the option to hurt their opponents through the air with Zac Robinson. The OSU quarterback has already thrown for 2,735 yards and 24 touchdowns on the season, numbers that are even more impressive considering the amount of running plays the Cowboys run each game.

Over on the defensive side of the ball the Cowboys struggled this season, which eventually ended up costing them any chance at winning their conference. Oklahoma State gives up 26.9 points per game and 392.2 total offensive yards per game. As good as the offense has been this year, the defense has come up short when the Cowboys have needed them most.

Oregon’s offensive prowess certainly rivals that of the Cowboys, though I would argue they played against slightly less competition throughout the year. The Ducks racked up an impressive 478 yards per game, which lead to 41.9 points per game, one of the best marks in the nation.

Where the Ducks have struggled the most has been defensively. They are giving up 28 points per game on 383 yards of total offense, with most of that damage coming through the air. The Oregon secondary has given up 24 of the 39 total touchdowns the team has allowed this year.

When you get right down to it, the Cowboys’ losses were to Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas Tech, all teams that have been ranked between 1st and 3rd for most of the season in the nation. While Texas Tech kind of fell out of the picture, the Sooners and Longhorns are considered by most to be two of the best teams in the nation and Oklahoma State played them both very tough. The Cowboys are the best 3-loss team in the nation in my opinion. They’ll have a chance to prove me right tonight against the Oregon Ducks in the Holiday Bowl.

Take the Oklahoma State Cowboys -2.5

Predicted Score: Oklahoma State 42, Oregon 28

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Written by Steve Janus on December 30, 2008 · Filed Under College Football Betting Articles, News & Previews

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