The 22nd-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies and the 17th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys will collide in Orlando in the 2017 Camping World Bowl. The game is scheduled to begin on Thursday, December 28th at 5:15 p.m. EST and can be seen on ESPN for your viewing pleasure. As of this article, the Cowboys are a four-point favorite and oddsmakers have this contest’s over/under at 63.
The Virginia Tech Hokies march into Orlando for the Camping World Bowl after a successful regular season campaign. In their last battle, the Hokies upended their in-state rivals the Virginia Cavaliers 10-0. The victory also improved their record to 9-3 on the season. Virginia Tech Hokies will be gunning for their fourth-straight post-season victory. This time, they will be underdogs against a very dangerous Oklahoma State team.
The Oklahoma State Cowboys had aspirations of a National Championship in 2017. Unfortunately, they stumbled down the stretch, losing two of their last four matches. Their .500 record in their last four games of the year left them at 9-3 overall and 6-3 in the Big-12 Conference. The Cowboys hope to be victorious in their 12th-straight bowl appearance. Last year, Oklahoma State laid the wood to the Colorado Buffaloes in the Alamo Bowl, 38-8.
(22) Virginia Tech Hokies (9-3)
The Virginia Tech offense will need to be firing on all cylinders to match the potent Oklahoma State offensive attack. That has to start with quarterback Josh Jackson who was rather average down the final stretch of the season. The freshman signal-caller only tossed two touchdowns in his last four games. In all, Jackson and has thrown for 2,743 passing yards. He also has 19 end zone tosses with eight interceptions on the year.
The Hokies are a balanced offensive team, rushing the ball for 167 yards a game and throwing it for another 236. Virginia Tech uses two different tailbacks to matriculate the ball down the field on Saturdays. Travon McMillian and DeShawn McClease have combined for 845 yards on the ground. McMillian leads the club with 439 yards and quarterback Josh Jackson also has contributed with another 274 and four scores.
Wideout Cam Phillips is Josh Jackson’s go-to receiver. The talented pass-catcher has reeled in 71 passes for 964 yards and seven touchdowns. On the other side, teammate Sean Savoy wasn’t nearly as productive. He managed to catch 39 balls for 454 yards with four end zone appearances. This duo will really need to step up their game to keep pace with the talented Oklahoma State receivers.
The Virginia Tech Hokies have depended on their stout defense since the opening kick-off of their season. This crew is one of the best in the FBS, allowing only 13 points a contest (5th). The secondary can hold their own, surrendering only 186 yards a game (21st). The front half is even better against opposing runners, holding schools to only 118 yards on the ground (16th). This game will surely test both their pass defense and their run-stop as Oklahoma state ranks 2nd in the nation in total yards (578 ypg).
Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-3)
The Oklahoma State Cowboys electrifying offense will be facing one of the best defensive units they have seen all year in the 2017 Camping World Bowl. Even so, the Cowboys have the ability to pour on the points for all four quarters. The unit is led by star quarterback Mason Rudolph. The senior gunslinger has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country in 2017. His numbers reflect just that, throwing for 4,553 yards while completing 65 percent of his throws. Rudolph also has put the ball in the end zone a lot, serving up 35 touchdowns with only nine picks.
Even though the Cowboys like to throw the ball around the field, they still use their running game quite effectively. When doing so, they hand the ball off to running back Justice Hill to move the chains. Hill has responded with 1,347 yards on 245 carries and 14 trips to the promised land. J.D.King also helps out, gaining another 471 yards and four more scores.
Four Oklahoma State receivers have gashed opposing defenses throughout the year. The squad also features what might be the best one-two punch in the nation. James Washington and Marcell Ateman are deadly weapons, with both of them going over 1,000 yards on the season. Washington leads the team with 69 catches for 1,423 yards and 12 touchdowns. All three of those figures are team-highs. Ateman also can hurt secondaries, catching 54 passes for 1,049 yards and eight more trips to pay-dirt. Teams can’t sleep on Jalen McCleskey or Dillon Stoner. They have combined for 1,147 yards and also 10 touchdowns.
Unlike the Hokies, Oklahoma State had a mediocre season defensively. The unit ended up giving in to over 400 yards of total offense and over 30 points per game this season (86th). The back half really struggled, allowing enemies to throw the football for 268 yards a game (120th). Surprisingly, the front seven performed much better, holding runners to only 131 yards a contest (27th).
Prediction
Sin City has placed the Oklahoma State Cowboys as a -4 favorite to get the job done in the 2017 Camping World Bowl. The four-point spread is down from the 6.5 it first came out as. Nevertheless, I think that it coming down actually favors the spread bettors. Look, I understand that the Hokies’ defense can put up a fight against anybody. They have proven that time and time again in 2017. Still, this is Mason Rudolph and this is the Cowboys amazing offense they will be facing. Also, the Hokies have struggled on offense and that doesn’t bode well if you’re going to need to put up points in the 30’s to win this one. For that reason, I’m suggesting to take the Cowboys and the -4 points here.
Oddsmakers also have this game’s total at 63. Because of the lack of production from the Cowboy’s defense, I think Josh Jackson and wideout Cam Phillips can make some things happen. Virginia Tech will score their fair share of points but it won’t be enough to stick with Oklahoma State for all four quarters of football. Take the over 63 as the Cowboys pull away in the second half and win this bowl game, 37-28. @EriktheHun
To lay a bet down on the 2017 Camping World Bowl, go to BetDSI Sportsbook and make it happen today.
Trends
The Hokies are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games.
The Over is 5-1-2 in the Hokies last 8 neutral site games.
The Cowboys are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games.
The Over is 5-0 in the Cowboys last 5 games overall.
