Camping World Bowl 2017: Va Tech vs. Oklahoma State TV Schedule, Time and Odds
You often hear about style clashes throughout the college football bowl season, but the Camping World Bowl is the only contest deserving of that title.
The high-powered offense of the Oklahoma State Cowboys squares off against the nasty defense of the Virginia Tech Hokies on Thursday in Orlando, Florida.
The Mason Rudolph-led Cowboys have the third-best scoring offense in the FBS, while the Hokies defense boasts the fifth-best scoring defense in the nation.
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Thursday's clash of programs from the Big 12 and ACC could end up being an intriguing showdown in which one team is forced to adjust to the other's style in order to leave with a victory.
Date: Thursday, December 28
Time: 5:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: Watch ESPN
How Virginia Tech Will Win
Virginia Tech won't win the Camping World Bowl if it turns into a shootout. The Hokies don't have the sustainable offensive attack that can put up close to 50 points like the Cowboys have.
Thriving on offense became more difficult for the Hokies last week, when leading wide receiver Cam Phillips was ruled out of the contest after undergoing sports hernia surgery.
In addition to losing Phillips, the Hokies are dealing with the losses of running back Travon McMillian and left tackle Yosuah Nijman to a transfer and injury, respectively, per Mike Barber of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The loss of Phillips may seem significant, but the Hokies have precedent for playing without the senior this season. In the 23-10 win over Boston College in which Phillips suffered an injury in the first quarter, Sean Savoy pulled in nine catches for 139 yards and a touchdown.
Since his triple-digit output against Boston College, Savoy has recorded 117 yards over five games. The freshman and his fellow wideouts aren't used to seeing the ball from quarterback Josh Jackson that much, but in order to spring an upset over the Cowboys, they'll need to find a way to step up.
With McMillian out of the program, Jackson and Deshawn McClease will carry the load on the ground. The two combined for 680 rushing yards on 198 carries in the regular season.
If Jackson can find a good balance on offense and keep the Oklahoma State defense guessing, the Hokies will have a chance heading into the fourth quarter.
The Virginia Tech defensive game plan will focus on quarterback Rudolph and wide receiver James Washington, who will occupy the time of Mook Reynolds and Reggie Floyd in the defensive backfield.
Rudolph and Washington are going to make a few big plays, but if the Hokies are able to contain their output, it will make the game closer than expected.
How Oklahoma State Will Win
With all of Virginia Tech's absences, the pressure is on Oklahoma State to come out on top on Thursday night.
The Cowboys rank first in passing yards per game, second in total yards per game and third in points per game.
Rudolph is the top passer in the nation with 4,553 yards, which is over 200 yards better than Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield in second place.
Washington is also third in the nation in receiving yards with 1,423, and he ranks seventh in receiving touchdowns with 12.
If you think the Cowboys are just about Rudolph and Washington, though, you haven't paid close attention to them this season.
Running back Justice Hill has 1,347 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns to his name, while Marcell Ateman eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark and hauled in eight scores from Rudolph.
Even if Virginia Tech's highly rated defense finds a way to silence Washington, Rudolph will go after the Hokies defensive backs by throwing to Ateman, Jalen McCleskey, Hill and others.
The Cowboys offense is going to have to put up big numbers in the Camping World Bowl based off the defense's production against ranked opponents in the regular season.
Oklahoma State gave up 46.8 points per game versus a quartet of top-25 teams, including the concession of 62 points to Oklahoma in Bedlam on November 4.
The good news for the Cowboys is Virginia Tech doesn't possess an offense quite like any of the teams in the Big 12, and with all the injuries piling up for the Hokies, all Mike Gundy's defense has to do is force a few punts throughout the game to allow Rudolph a chance to create separation.
Prediction
Taking Oklahoma State as the favorite and the over would be wise choices on Thursday. With Virginia Tech trying to fill holes on offense, the Cowboys are expected to roll in Rudolph's final game with the program.
The Hokies may stick with the Cowboys in the early going, but expect Oklahoma State to distance itself around halftime.
Oklahoma State 45, Virginia Tech 24
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.
All statistics obtained from ESPN.com.
Odds obtained from OddsShark.com.
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