Fiesta Bowl 2012: 5 Keys to Victory for Oklahoma State vs. Stanford

While the BCS National Championship pits the top two teams in the country against each other, the Fiesta Bowl has the next two best teams facing off. 

Big 12 champion Oklahoma State is set to square off against Stanford in a game that could be deemed the second national championship.

Stanford and Oklahoma St. are two of the highest-scoring offenses in the country, and this could be one of the most exciting bowl games of the season.  

Here are five keys to victory for Oklahoma St. and Stanford heading into the Fiesta Bowl. 

Turnover Battle

Oklahoma St. forces more turnovers than any team in the country and will be trying to do so once again to make up for a defense that gives up a lot of yards. 

Stanford QB Andrew Luck is not one who will turn the ball over too easily. The same can be said for Oklahoma St. quarterback Brandon Weeden. 

Whoever wins the turnover battle will likely come out on top in this one. 

Quarterback Battle

This game not only pits two of the best teams in the country against each other, but also two of the best quarterbacks. 

Whichever quarterback plays better will likely lead his team to victory. 

Expect the passes to be flying early and often, as these teams are not afraid to air it out for 60 minutes. 

Stanford Secondary vs. Justin Blackmon

Justin Blackmon is one of the best receivers in the country, and the Stanford secondary will have its hands full. 

Blackmon can go get it unlike many receivers in the country. He has over 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season. 

The only way to stop him is to double-team him, and Stanford will have to decide how it wants to go about slowing down the Cowboys' star receiver. 

Stepfan Taylor vs. Joseph Randle

While these teams obviously like to air it out, they both have running backs who have gained over 1,100 yards on the season. 

Oklahoma St. running back Joseph Randle has rushed for 1,193 yards and 23 touchdowns, while Stanford running back Stepfan Taylor has rushed for 1,153 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Both running backs will need to help out their quarterbacks and give their teams a balanced rushing attack. 

Oklahoma St. Offense vs. Stanford Defense

The Oklahoma St. offense ranks second in the country, averaging over 49 points a game. The Stanford defense is not too shabby itself, allowing 20 points a game, good for 23rd in the country. 

While Stanford will not be able to stop the Oklahoma St. rushing attack, it will need to try and slow it down. 

Making Branden Weeden and company work for their scores will be one of the keys to the game.