Virginia Tech Hokies (9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS) vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS)
College Football Bowl Season Camping World Bowl
Date and Time: Thursday, December 28th, 2017 5:15 PM ET
Where: Camping World Stadium Orlando, FL
TV:ESPN
by Keith F., Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: VT +4.5/POKES -4.5
Over/Under Total: 63
The Camping World Bowl is one that bears the name of both its sponsor and the venue of the affair itself. The festivities are set to be one that raises the age-old query: what happens when offense meets defense? Moreover, what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immoveable object. The story of the Oklahoma State offense against the Virginia Tech defense will provide experimental data for inquiring minds. The affair will be broadcasted live on ESPN on Thursday, December 28th, 2017 at 5:15 PM ET. The contest will come live from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The match-up pits the Big 12 against the ACC. Oklahoma State and Virginia Tech have not crossed paths in their program histories.
Despite the two outfits never encountering each other, they come in with mirroring against the spread and straight-up records. Both teams were in the mix to vie for their respective conferences this season but a few instrumental losses removed them from the conference credentials discussion and perhaps the College Football Playoff. To the victor goes the spoils and the benchmark of winning 10 games in 2017.
After being drubbed by the Miami Hurricanes in what was an enormous conference clash, the Hokies are once again riding high entering this contest. Virginia Tech has won their last two outings overall since losing two straight against the aforementioned Miami and then Georgia Tech. Most recently, Virginia Tech authored a huge win for momentum when they emerged victorious in Charlottesville, Virginia against their arch rival Virginia in the Commonwealth Cup. Oklahoma State also enters off a 58-17 after suffering their third defeat of the season against Kansas State in Stillwater. The Pokes lost all three of their defeats at home this season, despite brandishing one of the most prolific home field advantages according to popular opinion. Oklahoma State also owns losses against TCU and Oklahoma, the two teams that played for the Big 12 Championship. Most notably, the Sooners earned the #2 ranking and a ticket to play the Georgia Bulldogs in the Rose Bowl on New Years Day.
Currently in this market, we have seen an initial lean on the Hokies reflected in a two-point line move downward from the open of this market. Contrarily, much of the consensus loves the Cowboys in this market. In Over/Under markets, the number has remained stationery at 63 in what forecasts to actually be a potential shootout. Match-ups are a big part of college football. Especially in bowl games. Thus, the discussion of Oklahoma States offense against Virginia Techs defense ends in a motto all too familiar to many: Offense wins games and defense wins championships. Had the Pokes had any semblance of a defense, we could have been having an entirely different conversation about the Big 12 Champion. However, the Pokes simply cannot stop anyone. With Virginia Tech featuring a prolific enough rushing attack, the Hokies can keep the Cowboys off the field long enough and score whilst doing so. This creates a scenario that is not conducive to Oklahoma State football.
Predicting line moves is a tedious and sometimes haphazard practice. However, there is a good chance that we will see this market move away from Virginia Tech and back in the direction of Oklahoma State as the bowl draws close. The early steam could be a signal of sharp action and could result in a late push on the Cowboys. We recommend those interested in Virginia Tech to wait as a better price is likely on the way. However, for now we will suggest taking the points. In fact, VT may also be worth a look as an outright option on the Money Line. What we do not recommend is spotting any lumber with Oklahoma State given the holes in their defensive operations. Sure, the combination of Mason Rudloph and James Washington is a scary one. However, Techs defense has pitched three shutouts this season. To the Purple and Orange this will be just another day at the office.
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