2009 Cotton Bowl Betting - #19 Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss

No. 19 Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-3 SU, 5-5-1 ATS) vs. Ole Miss Rebels (8-4 SU, 5-5 ATS)

Saturday, January 2: 2:00 p.m.

2009 Cotton Bowl Betting Odds: Ole Miss -3, Total Points 50 ½       

Here are some college football betting trends which may impact this game:

• Oklahoma State: 8-2 SU in their last 10 games
• Oklahoma State: 2-2 ATS in their last 4 games
• Oklahoma State: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of their last 7 games
• Ole Miss: 14-4 SU in their last 18 games
• Ole Miss: 1-2 ATS in their last 3 games
• Ole Miss: The total has gone OVER in their last 4 games

It’ll be an old-fashioned SEC vs. Big XII shootout in this year’s Cotton Bowl, when the Oklahoma State Cowboys take on the Ole Miss Rebels. The Rebels return to Dallas after winning this game last year.

First for the Ole Miss Rebs, it’s been a bit of a disappointing 2009, as many college football experts took them to win the SEC West. Even though they were unable to accomplish that feat, back-to-back nine wins seasons would be considered a success for a school who has struggled on the gridiron in recent years.

Part of Ole Miss’s problem this year was that quarterback Jevan Snead never really got going the way people expected him to. The junior struggled, throwing 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, a stark contrast to 2008, when he threw 26 and 13. However, as inconsistent as Snead has been, the offense would be nothing without Dexter McCluster. The tiny McCluster was a second half sparkplug, rushing for 125 yards or more in four of their last five games. His 282 yards against Tennessee on November 14 was a school record.

Defensively, the Rebels will run out a fast and aggressive defensive front, one of the main reasons they had one of the best scoring defenses in the country. Except for their game with Oklahoma to end the season Oklahoma State hasn’t seen the likes of what Ole Miss will throw at them defensively. Kentrell Lockett, Jerrell Powe, Ted Laurent and Lawon Scott are all part of one of the deepest defensive lines in the SEC.

As for Oklahoma State, they had a bit of a disappointing 2009 campaign as well, as many expected them to challenge for a Big XII South title. But injuries and suspensions derailed those dreams, leaving them in the Cotton Bowl.

Zac Robinson has been the only consistency in this offense, having a great year at quarterback. He threw for 15 touchdowns, down from a year ago, but it’s hard to blame him, when his best wide receiver Dez Bryant was suspended most of the year.

While both teams come into this game a little disappointed to be in Dallas, I’m going to give the slight edge to Ole Miss. Playing in the SEC prepared them for everything they’ll see from Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl, and I believe that this is their one chance to prove their skeptics wrong.

I like the Ole Miss Rebels giving a field goal, in this year’s Cotton Bowl betting odds.

Aaron’s Pick: Ole Miss -3