Stormin in Norman
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Picking the Big 12 Football Bowl Games

By Chip Rouse

Dec 3, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; The Oklahoma Sooners celebrate winning the Big 12 Conference Championship after defeating the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; The Oklahoma Sooners celebrate winning the Big 12 Conference Championship after defeating the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver James Washington (28) makes a catch as Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Justis Nelson (31) defends during the second half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Cowboys won 45-44. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver James Washington (28) makes a catch as Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Justis Nelson (31) defends during the second half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Cowboys won 45-44. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /

Dec. 29, 2016

Alamo Bowl

Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-3) vs. Colorado Buffaloes (10-3)

Alamo Dome, San Antonio, Texas

Another matchup featuring two longtime conference foes. As members of the Big 12, Oklahoma State and Colorado split eight games. As members of the Big Eight before that, Colorado prevailed 20 times in 35 games. Overall, the Buffaloes own a 26-19 advantage vs. the Cowboys and are a 3.5-point favorite in their bowl pairing this season.

Oklahoma State likes to throw the football (what else is new in the Big 12?) with quarterback Mason Rudolph, and he has one of the best pass receivers and playmakers in the country in wide receiver James Washington as a deep threat.

Colorado has playmakers of its own in the defensive secondary, which is going to make the Cowboy spread formation passing game vs. the Colorado pass defense the key matchup to watch for in this Alamo Bowl battle between the No. 2 teams in the Big 12 and Pac-12 this season.

If Oklahoma State is going to win this game – a big “if” – it is probably going to have to do it with its ground attack, led by Justice Hill. Hill, a freshman, eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on the ground in his very first season of collegiate ball.

This projects as one of the best matchup of the entire bowl season.

Both teams have offensive firepower, but Colorado is the better team defensively, in my view, and that will be the difference.

Prediction: Colorado 28, Oklahoma State 21

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