Sugar Bowl 2016: Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss Pregame Comments, Predictions

The 2016 Sugar Bowl features two teams that at one point in the season had national championship aspirations. While that didn't work out, playing in one of the sport's premier bowls is a nice consolation prize.

While this is the 10th appearance in the bowl for the No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels, it's the first time they are playing in the game since 1970. The No. 16 Oklahoma State Cowboys haven't been since 1946—their only other appearance.

Both teams feature explosive offenses that average more than 40 points per game. Oklahoma State won its first 10 games of the season before dropping its final two, and Ole Miss, despite losing a nonconference game to the Memphis Tigers and a devastating overtime contest to the Arkansas Razorbacks, is the only team to defeat the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide this season.

Let's take a look at some details, and pregame reaction, leading up to tonight's game:

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

What: Allstate Sugar Bowl

When: Jan. 1

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Spread: Ole Miss -7 (Per Odds Shark)

The SEC has been the most dominant overall conference in the past decade, but that hasn't been the case in the Sugar Bowl, per college football prognosticator Phil Steele:

None of that matters now as the Rebels need to focus on this game and outscoring a talented Cowboys squad. Both teams took to the air a ton this season and have quarterbacks who can light up the scoreboard.

Junior Chad Kelly was the No. 1 quarterback for Ole Miss, while the Cowboys used a two-pronged attack with Mason Rudolph and J.W. Walsh.

Player	Completions	Attempts	Completion %	Yards	TD	INT	Rush TD
Ole Miss
Oklahoma State
Total	294	464	63.4	4,254	34	10	12
Chad Kelly	277	425	65.2	3,740	27	12	10
Mason Rudolph	246	393	62.6	3.591	21	9	1
J.W. Walsh	48	71	67.6	663	13	1	11

Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer thinks Kelly's game is reminiscent of a familiar foe in Oklahoma Sooners' quarterback Baker Mayfield—who finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy race—per Kyle Fredrickson of NewsOK.com. 

“If you watch [Kelly], he’s a lot like Baker,” Spencer said. “Which isn’t good.”

OSU cornerback Kevin Peterson is aware of Kelly's overall game, per Fredrickson:

"

Usually when you see a quarterback run, he tries to get a little bit if he can, he’ll slide or he’ll get out of bounds. This guy is really trying to make plays. It’s just like having another running back, but he can throw the ball. You definitely have to watch out for that.

"

Kelly is looking forward to playing in what he feels is the biggest bowl game of the season, per Ole Miss Football:

He should look forward to any game when he is able to throw the ball to possible future first-round NFL draft pick, wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, who makes plays like this one shared by 247Sports:

On the defensive side of the ball both teams have linemen who can make life miserable for opposing backfields. However, Ole Miss will be without its star, possible future first-round pick Robert Nkemdiche, who was injured after a fall at an Atlanta-area hotel last month, and eventually declared for the NFL draft.

Emmanuel Ogbah is healthy and ready to make it a tough go for Kelly. The 6'4'', 275-pound junior had at least a half sack in 11 of 12 games this season. The Co-Defensive Big 12 Player of the Year's speed and athleticism are apparent in this video shared by the Big 12 Conference:

There certainly will be an abundance of talent on the field during the Sugar Bowl—and points as well. Kelly is a great quarterback, but not many teams are used to facing a two-headed monster at quarterback that can hurt you through the air and on the ground like the Cowboys can.

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy said Rudolph will be available after dealing with a foot injury, per Jason Elmquist of the Stillwater News Press, but did not give an indication of which quarterback would start.

Even if the injury hampers Rudolph at all, Walsh will be a dual threat that can rival Kelly's play. Ogbah will make just enough plays, coupled with a strong offense, to help lead the Cowboys to a close, high-scoring victory.

Prediction: Oklahoma State wins, 38-35.