Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss 2015 Sugar Bowl Odds Preview

Posted by Eric Williams on Thursday,December 31, 2015 11:14, EDT in

After falling short in their respective quests to reach the four-team College Football Playoff, the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Mississippi Rebels will look to finish off their respective seasons in style when they square off in the 2015 Sugar Bowl on Friday, January 1 at 8:30 PM ET, live from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana. Now let’s find out which one of the previously national title hopefuls stand the best chance in the College Football betting lines for this game.

How To Bet the Cowboys vs. Rebels 2015 Sugar Bowl Odds, TV & Game Info

When: Friday, January 1, 8:30 PM ET
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: ESPN
TV Stream: WatchESPN
LINE: Ole Miss -7
O/U: 67.5

Mississippi is a 7-point favorite to beat Oklahoma State after opening as a 6.5-point fave. The game’s O/U total is sitting at 67.5 after opening at 67.

Why Bet The Oklahoma State Cowboys Odds at +7

Because they’ve got an explosive offense that can score on anyone! Oklahoma State (10-2 SU, 6-6 ATS) lost only two games this season, but they both came at the worst possible time as the Boys dropped their final two regular season contests including their humbling 58-23 blowout loss against Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game. The good news for Cowboys fans and betting backers is the fact that Oklahoma State ranked ninth in the country in scoring (41.2 ppg) thanks mostly to their outstanding passing attack.

Quarterback Mason Rudolph led all Big 12 signal-callers with a whopping 57 passes of 20 yards or more and finished his sophomore regular season with 3,591 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Sophomore wide receiver James Washington (52 catches, 1,077 yards, 10 touchdowns) is Rudolph’s No. 1 target, but the Cowboys didn’t have much balance with running back Chris Carson (504 yards) being the team’s only runner to rush more than 300 yards.

Defensively, Oklahoma State allowed 29.0 points per game to finish 85th in the nation during the regular season.

Why Bet The Missippi Rebels Odds at -7

Because the Rebels and their high-powered offense can score on anyone! Mississippi (9-3 SU, 7-5 ATS) has won two straight and four of its last five, but will be without star defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche after the future NFL performer fell 15 feet twice from a window in mid-December and had to be hospitalized. The Rebels announced on Dec. 20 that Nkemdiche, who was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession following the incident, will be suspended for the bowl game.

“I have learned a valuable lesson in the last week, and I look forward to showing NFL personnel that this is not representative of my true character,” said Nkemdiche, who announced he will enter the NFL draft. “I want to thank my coaches, my teammates and Rebel Nation for their support these past three years, and I look forward to making them proud for years to come.”

Quarterback Chad Kelly had a fine season in completing 65.2 percent of his passes for 3,740 yards with 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while hooking up early and often with gifted wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (76 catches, 1,082 yards, eight TDs).

My Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction

I like the Mississippi Rebels, but I’m still trying to figure out why they’ve been installed as touchdown favorites against an Oklahoma State team that is very, very good and won more games than Ole Miss. With that said, let me also say that I like Oklahoma State o cover the spread with room to spare in a contest that looks like it will be decided by a field goal at best.

With the Sugar Bowl underdog going 3-0 SU and ATS over the last three seasons, there’s plenty of precedent on why the Cowboys will bring home the bacon. I like Oklahoma State to cover the spread – by getting the outright win!


My final score prediction: Oklahoma State 38 Mississippi 35