Writer - Brian Pohl
Orlando, FL- The 2017 Camping World Bowl will see a Big XII vs. Atlantic Coast Conference matchup as the Big XII’s Oklahoma State Cowboys take on the ACC’s Virginia Tech Hokies at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
The game will be a classic game of offense versus defense, as the high-octane offense of the Cowboys faces-off against the always tough Hokies defense under longtime defensive coordinator Bud Foster. Although these programs rarely have the opportunity to face each other (this will be just the third-ever meeting between the schools), there is a familiarity between each coaching staff.
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy spoke on the familiarity saying, “We’re looking forward to the competition, and we’ve got some friendly faces over there. Obviously (Virginia Tech head coach Justin) Fuente’s from this part of the country, and (Virginia Tech offensive coordinator) Brad Cornelsen, he worked here with me, and then (Virginia Tech offensive line coach) Vance Vice — Vance and I played together here at Oklahoma State. I think it’s a great setting, should be a great game and we’re looking forward to a week in Orlando."
Each coaching staff knowing and having a history with one another will provide an interesting wrinkle to the game as both staffs look to gameplan for their bowl game opponent.
The big matchup of the game will be OSU’s offense against VT’s defense. Coming into the game, the Cowboys’ offense is averaging just over 46 points per game, good for third in the nation. Leading the way for this high-powered offense is Senior quarterback Mason Rudolph, who leads the FBS in both passing yards on the season with 4,553-yards, as well as passing yards per game with 379.4-yards. Rudolph has also thrown for 35 touchdowns on the season and will look to add to his total and finish his OSU career with a victory.
Surrounding Rudolph is talent in both the running and passing games. The leading rusher for OSU is Sophomore Justice Hill, who has over 1,300 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the season. The Cowboys’ also boast two 1,000-yard receivers in Senior James Washington and redshirt Senior Marcell Ateman, who in their final game as Cowboy’s will look to put on one final big offensive performance in Orlando.
Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente spoke about the talent that this Oklahoma State offense possesses saying, "I’ve seen them on television a couple times, (and they're) explosive offensively. Great quarterback, running game, and wide receivers,” he continues, “They are incredibly explosive, offensively can score, and really, really push the pace. It’ll be a great challenge for us as a team.”
Featuring the longest active bowl streak recognized by the NCAA at 25 straight bowl games, Virginia Tech enters the game searching for its second straight ten-win season under coach Fuente. The Hokies will have to rely on a bevy of young skill players to do so though, as they will be without their top receiver in Senior Cam Phillips, who will miss the game after undergoing hernia surgery.
Redshirt Freshman quarterback Josh Jackson will lead the young Hokies offense. His 19 touchdowns with just eight interceptions have made him a Freshman standout, but the Hokies will need him to play his best game of the season if this one becomes a shootout. Virginia Tech will look to their defense to keep the OSU offense in check and hope their offense can find success against a Cowboys defense that has allowed just over 30 points per game on the season.
As long as defensive coordinator Bud Foster is at Virginia Tech; you can expect their defense to be a strength. Allowing just 13.5 points per game, this year’s Hokies defense is no different. VT’s “Lunch Pail Defense” will provide a great challenge for the talented OSU offense, as the Hokies allow the lowest completion percentage on the season at just 46.9% with 13 interceptions.
The key to the game will be whether the Hokies defense can slow down the Cowboy’s offense enough to keep them in the game and whether the Hokies offense can score enough to keep up. With all of the talent on both teams, the 2017 Camping World Bowl could prove to be one of the best matchups of the 2017 bowl season.
The 2017 Camping World Bowl between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Virginia Tech Hokies will kick off December 28th at 5:15 pm from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florid
The game will be a classic game of offense versus defense, as the high-octane offense of the Cowboys faces-off against the always tough Hokies defense under longtime defensive coordinator Bud Foster. Although these programs rarely have the opportunity to face each other (this will be just the third-ever meeting between the schools), there is a familiarity between each coaching staff.
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy spoke on the familiarity saying, “We’re looking forward to the competition, and we’ve got some friendly faces over there. Obviously (Virginia Tech head coach Justin) Fuente’s from this part of the country, and (Virginia Tech offensive coordinator) Brad Cornelsen, he worked here with me, and then (Virginia Tech offensive line coach) Vance Vice — Vance and I played together here at Oklahoma State. I think it’s a great setting, should be a great game and we’re looking forward to a week in Orlando."
Each coaching staff knowing and having a history with one another will provide an interesting wrinkle to the game as both staffs look to gameplan for their bowl game opponent.
The big matchup of the game will be OSU’s offense against VT’s defense. Coming into the game, the Cowboys’ offense is averaging just over 46 points per game, good for third in the nation. Leading the way for this high-powered offense is Senior quarterback Mason Rudolph, who leads the FBS in both passing yards on the season with 4,553-yards, as well as passing yards per game with 379.4-yards. Rudolph has also thrown for 35 touchdowns on the season and will look to add to his total and finish his OSU career with a victory.
Surrounding Rudolph is talent in both the running and passing games. The leading rusher for OSU is Sophomore Justice Hill, who has over 1,300 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the season. The Cowboys’ also boast two 1,000-yard receivers in Senior James Washington and redshirt Senior Marcell Ateman, who in their final game as Cowboy’s will look to put on one final big offensive performance in Orlando.
Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente spoke about the talent that this Oklahoma State offense possesses saying, "I’ve seen them on television a couple times, (and they're) explosive offensively. Great quarterback, running game, and wide receivers,” he continues, “They are incredibly explosive, offensively can score, and really, really push the pace. It’ll be a great challenge for us as a team.”
Featuring the longest active bowl streak recognized by the NCAA at 25 straight bowl games, Virginia Tech enters the game searching for its second straight ten-win season under coach Fuente. The Hokies will have to rely on a bevy of young skill players to do so though, as they will be without their top receiver in Senior Cam Phillips, who will miss the game after undergoing hernia surgery.
Redshirt Freshman quarterback Josh Jackson will lead the young Hokies offense. His 19 touchdowns with just eight interceptions have made him a Freshman standout, but the Hokies will need him to play his best game of the season if this one becomes a shootout. Virginia Tech will look to their defense to keep the OSU offense in check and hope their offense can find success against a Cowboys defense that has allowed just over 30 points per game on the season.
As long as defensive coordinator Bud Foster is at Virginia Tech; you can expect their defense to be a strength. Allowing just 13.5 points per game, this year’s Hokies defense is no different. VT’s “Lunch Pail Defense” will provide a great challenge for the talented OSU offense, as the Hokies allow the lowest completion percentage on the season at just 46.9% with 13 interceptions.
The key to the game will be whether the Hokies defense can slow down the Cowboy’s offense enough to keep them in the game and whether the Hokies offense can score enough to keep up. With all of the talent on both teams, the 2017 Camping World Bowl could prove to be one of the best matchups of the 2017 bowl season.
The 2017 Camping World Bowl between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Virginia Tech Hokies will kick off December 28th at 5:15 pm from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florid