This one is for all the Tostitos. The Fiesta Bowl features two teams that had great seasons, and even though they fell short of their surprising goal of the College Football Playoff, they will celebrate with this great New Year’s Six bowl.
How We Got Here:
Notre Dame:
Notre Dame had a weird year. All things considered, going 11-1, with the only loss being to a playoff team in Cincinnati, is a respectable showing. Notre Dame even turned the corner after the close game against Virginia Tech in October. Granted, Notre Dame did not face anybody with a pulse, but you can say that about a lot of teams. You play who is in front of you, and Notre Dame took advantage.
Oklahoma State:
Oklahoma State had an 11-2 season. The highs of the season included beating Big 12 champion Baylor and in-state rival Oklahoma. The lowlight of the season includes losing to the perennial overrated Iowa State and coming up short in the Big 12 Championship Game against Baylor. The way in which Oklahoma State lost was in heartbreaking fashion, as the Cowboys were a yard or two away from the College Football Playoff.
Players To Watch:
Notre Dame:
HC Marcus Freeman — This isn’t a player, but rather a coach. Marcus Freeman will be a head coach for the first time. For it to come in a bowl game of this magnitude is a test for him. With most of the staff staying on, Notre Dame shouldn’t have to deviate from its usual gameplan in order to win.
Oklahoma State:
QB Spencer Sanders — Just be average and Oklahoma State can win. Notre Dame can bottle up Jaylen Warren, as the Irish boast one of the better run defenses in the country. Spencer Sanders needs to take advantage of the matchups in Notre Dame’s secondary to win this affair.
Score Prediction:
Notre Dame 17, Oklahoma State 7
I’ll go with Notre Dame here. Spencer Sanders is not good, and even if Notre Dame is missing a star on both sides of the ball in Kyle Hamilton and Kyren Williams, Notre Dame has more than enough defensively to bottle up the Oklahoma State offense. Jack Coan and the improved offensive line is good enough to hold up and win this game and start the Marcus Freeman era off with a win.
About the author
I am a fan of the University of Georgia. I graduated from the University which shall not be named. An individual with a degree in International Business and Marketing, I am more interested in CFB than I am at work. The favorite CFB moment I have would be either the Rose Bowl semifinal vs Oklahoma or the 2017 SEC Championship vs Auburn. Both felt great for different reasons.
