Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish Prediction, 1/1/2021 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Date: Saturday, January 1, 2022

Location: State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Fighting Irish (-2.5)

Total/Over-Under: 45.5

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1) host the Oklahoma State Cowboys (11-2) at State Farm Stadium on Saturday in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl. Notre Dame opens as 2.5-point favorites. The over/under is set at 45.5.

The Oklahoma State Cowboys come into this game with a record of 11-2 for this year. In their last game, the Cowboys played against the Baylor Bears and took a loss by a final of 21-16. Dezmon Jackson led the offense in rushing for the Cowboys with 19 carries for 31 yds (1.6 yards per attempt). Spencer Sanders went 31/46 with 257 yards passing. He had a quarterback rating of 96.9 and ended the game with 4 interceptions. Against the run, the Cowboys conceded 62 yds on 33 attempts, which is an average of 1.9 yds per run allowed. Oklahoma State conceded 23 completions on 28 attempts for 180 yds, and a completion percentage of 82.1%. For the game, they tallied 87 plays which totaled 333 yards. The Oklahoma State Cowboys ended up running the ball 40 times and accumulated 70 yds, earning them an average of 1.8 yds per carry.

When it comes to getting in the endzone, the Oklahoma State Cowboys have an average of 30.6 points per game. Offensively they're averaging 181.8 yards rushing which ranks them 46th in Division 1. The Cowboys have earned 5,238 total yards over the course of this season. With reference to scoring touchdowns, Oklahoma State has compiled 20 touchdowns through the air and 27 rushing touchdowns. Oklahoma State has amassed 296 1st downs as an offense, and they have been called for 81 penalties for 736 yds. They have turned the ball over 20 different times.

In terms of yards via the pass, the Cowboys are allowing 2,397 yds which puts them in 23rd in the nation. They have surrendered 184.4 yards per outing through the air as well as giving up a completion percentage of 57.7%. Overall, they are giving up 273.6 yards per contest ranking them 3rd in college football. They have granted 12 touchdowns through the air and 9 touchdowns on the ground. The opposition is running for an average of 2.7 yards per rush on the ground and 89.2 yards on the ground per contest on the campaign. For the season, they have allowed 1,160 yards on the ground through 13 games. The Cowboys are ranked 7th in college football concerning team defense, allowing 16.8 points per contest.

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The Fighting Irish come into this game with a record of 11-1 for this season. When they last played, the Fighting Irish walked away with a victory by a final of 45-14 against the Stanford Cardinal. Jack Coan (2 TDs) ended the game with 345 yds on 26/35 through the air while his quarterback rating was 170.2. He had 1 pick and his average yards per attempt was 9.9. Kyren Williams carried the football 19 times for 74 yards, walking away from the game with 3.9 yds per carry for Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish finished the contest with a total of 509 yards while running 70 plays (7.3 yds per play). Notre Dame ran for 4.9 yards per carry, finishing with 168 yards on 34 carries. Notre Dame gave up 22 rushing attempts for 55 yards (2.5 yards per rush). The Fighting Irish passing defense gave up a completion percentage of 80.0%, relinquishing 172 yds on 20 out of 25 through the air.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish average 415.3 yards per contest, which has them sitting 56th in D-1. The Notre Dame offense has accrued 592 penalty yds on 70 violations, which has them sitting 76th in the country in terms of helping out the other team. For the year so far, the Fighting Irish currently have a total of 3,163 passing yards as well as an average of 263.6 throwing yards per game, giving them a rank of 33rd in D-1. When discussing the points being put on the board, the Fighting Irish are 21st in Division 1 with 35.3 points per outing.

The Fighting Irish are allowing 18.3 PPG, which has them ranked 11th in the nation. Notre Dame has given up a total of 1,522 rushing yards (126.8 yards per game) as well as 13 touchdowns rushing for the season. This season, they have surrendered 220 pts. They have given up 10 touchdowns from the passing game as well as 212.0 yards/outing, ranking them 39th in D-1. The Fighting Irish defense has participated in 790 plays, which is 28th in Division 1.

Who will win tonight's Cowboys/Fighting Irish college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Cowboys +2.5

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