Cheez-it Bowl: Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Miami Hurricanes

Bowl season continues on Tuesday as the No. 21 Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-3) will battle with the No. 18 Miami Hurricanes (8-2) in the Cheez-it Bowl. This matchup will occur at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, and kickoff is set for 5:30 pm ET.
At 7-3, the Oklahoma State Cowboys finished 3rd in the Big 12 this season. Coming into this matchup, the Cowboys have won three in a row, including a 42-3 win over Baylor in their last game on December 12. Head coach Mike Gundy will look to finish the season out strong with a bowl win.
For as good as Miami played this season, there is no way they have been happy over the last couple of weeks. In their final regular-season game, they were embarrassed at 62-26 by No. 13 UNC. They will be out to end their season on a much higher note on Tuesday.
Oklahoma State comes into this one as the favorites. They are -122 to win while the Hurricanes’ moneyline sits at +100. The spread features Miami +1.5 while the over/under for total points is 60.5.
By The Numbers
Offensively, Miami has been the more productive of the two teams. They rank 25th in the nation in scoring averaging 34 points per game. The Cowboys rank 56th, averaging 29.5 points per game.
Defensively, it is the Cowboys who hold the edge. They rank 34th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 22.4 points per game to opponents. The Hurricanes come in 46th, allowing 26 points per game.
Oklahoma State Looks To Find Production Without Hubbard
Oklahoma State is talented on both sides of the ball, but they have been a bit short-handed since the end of November. After hurting his ankle over a month ago, the Cowboys’ star running back Chuba Hubbard has decided to sit out the rest of the season as he prepares for the NFL draft.
After rushing for 625 yards and five touchdowns this season (he rushed for over 2,000 last year), he has big shoes to fill. In their previous game against Baylor, Dominic Richardson led the way with 169 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Under center for the Cowboys is Spencer Sanders. This season he has thrown for 1,702 yards, ten touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He has also rushed for 224 yards and another two scores.
Defensively, they are led by Amen Ogbongbemiga (76 tackles), Calvin Bundage (6.5 sacks), and Tre Sterling and Kolby Harvell-Peel (2 interceptions apiece).
Miami Looks For Ninth Win On Season
After getting decimated in their last regular-season game, the Hurricanes are excited to have another opportunity to come out victorious. Head coach Manny Diaz will undoubtedly have his team focused and ready to get it done on Tuesday.
Like the Cowboys, Miami will also be missing some players preparing for the draft. Two of their best defensive players, and top two sack leaders, will be absent as Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche are out.
Offensively, Miami can put up some points and is comforted that their quarterback will not be leaving to go to the pros. D’Eriq King has had a nice season throwing for 2,573 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just five interceptions.
His leading receivers have been Mike Harley (730 yards, six touchdowns) and tight end Brevin Jordan (480 yards, five touchdowns).
Taking Oklahoma State To Win And Cover
One Achilles heel for Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders has been interceptions. However, with Miami’s top two pass rushers out, he could get a big of a break, and extra time, on Tuesday.
Also, even though Hubbard has opted out of this game, the Cowboys have already learned how to be successful without him. At the end of the day, I think the Cowboys do enough on both sides of the ball to get the win. It could be close throughout, but I eventually see them winning and covering the 1.5-point spread.