NCAA Bowl Betting – #22 Stanford vs. Oklahoma in the Sun Bowl
#22 Stanford (8-4, 6-3; Pac Ten) vs. Oklahoma (7-5, 5-3; Big XII)
December 31st – 2:00 pm EST – El Paso, Texas
Stanford Cardinal +8 +270 Over 55½
Oklahoma Sooners -8 -330 Under 55½
In the biggest of the five New Years Eve bowl games, El Paso, Texas hosts the historic Sun Bowl. The game debuted in 1935 and the 2009 version features the #22 ranked Stanford Cardinal as the underdog against the always-tough Oklahoma Sooners.
Despite being unranked, the BetUS.com sportsbook has the Oklahoma Sooners (7-5, 5-6-1 ATS) as the -8 point favorites over the Stanford Cardinal (8-4, 7-5 ATS). If you bet the Cardinal straight up you wager will return +270. The game’s over/under is set at 55½.
Stanford features Heisman Trophy runner-up Toby Gerhart as their offensive centerpiece. Gerhart was a beast, leading the nation in rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns. Many say the award should have been his as he lost the closest vote in Heisman history. Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck did his part keeping the ball out of the opposing defenses hands, only throwing 4 INTs in 288 attempts, he added 13 touchdowns but the Cardinal’s 10th ranked offense will be without their starting quarterback in this game.
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Luck injured his finger in the final game of the regular season against Notre Dame. Former starter Tavita Pritchard will get the start against Oklahoma. You may remember Pritchard, as he was the quarterback who led the Cardinal to a wild comeback against USC in 2007.
On defense, Stanford was a little more pedestrian giving up 26.2 points and allowing 396.5 yards a game this year. The Cardinal needs a good offense showing in the Sun Bowl to make up for their defensive shortcomings.
Oklahoma was destined for the top of the BCS rankings in 2009 but fate can play tricks on destiny sometimes. 2008 Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford spurned the NFL to return for his junior year with the Sooners but in the first game of the season Bradford suffered a 3rd degree sprain to his AC joint, which ended his college career. Landry Jones stepped in and did an admiral job but without Bradford, the Sooners BCS title hopes ended in game one.
The Sooners offense suffered without Bradford but still scored 31.1 points a game and ranked 29th in total offensive yards. Landry, while not Heisman worthy still passed for 2780 yards, 23 TDs and a respectable 13 interceptions. Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray combined for 1396 yards and 14 TDs on the ground.
As good as Stanford is on offense, the Sooners are as good or better on defense, Oklahoma only allowed opponents 13.5 points a game and limited opposing runners to 90 yards a game. They ranked 22nd against the pass but without Luck leading the Cardinal this game becomes Toby Gerhart versus the Sooners run defense.
It’s a shame Stanford will be without Andrew Luck as this game could have been one of the best in the 2009 Bowl season but with Luck gone, I don’t see the Cardinal beating the Sooners. Look for Oklahoma to win the 2009 Sun Bowl by a couple of touchdowns.
BetUS.com Sun Bowl Prediction: Oklahoma Sooners -8
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