All good stuff, but give us the really important numbers. How many starters for each team will be out with Covid?
Tale of the Tape: Fiesta Bowl
We’re just a few days away from Oklahoma State’s much-anticipated matchup with Notre Dame. Kickoff is scheduled 12 p.m. CT on Sat., Jan 1 and is being televised on ESPN. Here’s a quick look at how the Cowboys and Fighting Irish compare in terms of stats, odds and rankings:
Let’s start with rankings:
OSU ND
- CFP rank 9 5
- Strength of Schedule 15 18
- FPI 8 5
- SP+ 15 7
Offensive Stats:
OSU ND
- Total Offense 66th (402.9) 55th (415.8)
- Scoring Offense 50th (30.6) 20th (35.2)
- Passing Yards 76th (221.2) 34th (263.6)
- Yards per Completion 76th (11.98) 50th (12.6)
- Rushing Yards 45th (181.8) 73rd (152.2)
- 3rd down % 26th (44.4%) 62nd (40.7%)
- 4th down % 68th (50%) 52nd (56.2%)
- Redzone TD% 62% 64%
- Turnovers Lost 18 14
- Time of Possession 33rd (31 mpg) 64th (29 mpg)
Defensive Stats:
OSU ND
- Total Defense 3rd (278.4) 28th (339.1)
- Scoring Defense 8th (16.77) 9th (18.25)
- Pass Yards Allowed 12th (187.2) 41st (212.0)
- Rush Yards Allowed 5th (91.2) 30th (127.1)
- 3rd Down Defense 2nd (26.1%) 16th (32.9%)
- 4th Down Defense 5th (30.8%) 76th (53.3%)
- Red Zone TD % 53.3% 36.8%
- Turnovers Forced 78th (15) 16th (23)
- Sacks 1st (55.0) 6th (40.0)
- TFL 1st (110.0) 35th (78.0)
Betting odds/predictions
The spread has Notre Dame as 2.5 point favorites over Oklahoma State, with an over/under of 45.5. The line has fluctuated a bit back and forth after OSU lost Jim Knowles and after ND lost Kyle Hamilton and Kyren Williams, but it will probably stay around 2.5 come kickoff.
According to ESPN’s FPI Matchup Predictor gives Notre Dame a slight edge with a 51.9% chance to win, but it’s very close.