Oklahoma State vs. Notre Dame

FIESTA BOWL - CFB Bowl Game of the Year - Notre Dame has to settle for a berth in the Fiesta Bowl after being passed over for a spot in the playoffs, even with one loss, and the Fighting Irish also lost their coach when Brian Kelly took off for LSU. Marcus Freeman was promoted from defensive coordinator for this one. Oklahoma State also just missed being in the playoff when it rallied from an 18-point deficit against Baylor in the Big 12 championship game and came up inches short at the goal line. Mike Gundy's Cowboys have won seven of their past 10 bowl games, including 37-34 over the Miami Hurricanes last season. Notre Dame has lost four of its past six bowl contests after Alabama beat the Irish, 31-14, last year. Spencer Sanders has 2,468 passing yards for the Cowboys this season with 16 TDs and a 61.3% completion rate. The Irish will be without their leading rusher, Kyren Williams, who opted out, and Jack Coan will start at QB. Gundy's teams always have had good offenses, but this year's defensive squad is #3 nationally in yards allowed, and the Cowboys have allowed only 16.8 points per game. This is a near pick 'em game, and I like the Cowboys to win it. Play Oklahoma State on the moneyline for my Bowl Game of the Year.