The underdog Alabama Crimson Tide are the right play in the Independence Bowl versus the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
So, let me get this straight. The Independence Bowl will be played in SEC territory (Shreveport, LA), and the Tide has been installed as underdogs against a mid-tiered Big 12 squad. Holy wow is all I can say!
The Cowboys were a very fun team to watch this season, but they were a completely different team when playing away from the comfy confines of Boone Pickens Stadium. They went 2-4 SU and only covered 50% of the time. HC Mike Gundy has done a commendable job in Stillwater since taking over for Les Miles who bolted to LSU, but I’ve got a feeling he’s venturing into a hornet’s nest in this spot.
Now Alabama wasn’t the greatest the SEC had to offer this season, but they’re still a solid football team. They gave the upper echelon squads in their conference fits, and should be able to give this young Cowpokes club a major run for their money. I personally think the firing of Mike Shula will benefit this club greatly this evening. His choices on the field were at most times terrible, and his in-game decision making won’t be missed.
This will be one of the better defenses the Cowboys will have seen all season. 'Bama held the potent Hawaii, Arkansas, Tennessee, and LSU attacks to a combined 21 PPG. That’s nothing to shake a stick at, and their speed and athleticism should be able to contain Ok State QB Bobby Reid and force him into a couple mistakes that have plagued him all season long.
If this game were held closer to Cowboy territory, I might think about backing the Orange in this matchup. However, with it being in SEC country, I see absolutely no reason to believe QB John Parker Wilson and the Bama defense can’t get it done.
Play: Alabama +115
Well, that's pretty weird Buddy Bear. Got no reason why it's showing me as the thread starter inside the thread but lists the auto-poster 'SBR Forum Staff' when viewing from the College Football Forum page
I like Alabama as well. But I'm not so sure about this tout's logic being that Shreveport is 'SEC Country' and making it sound like Okie State is traveling a bunch more to get there. Shreveport is almost exactly halfway between Stillwater and Tuscaloosa, and though LSU fans are the majority, there's a good mix of college sports fans in Shreveport.
That aside, 'Bama would bring more fans to a bowl game just about anywhere but Stillwater than Oklahoma State, so that part of the logic is sound.
Okla. St. sucks. Bama's no good, but they have more tradition, they'll have more fans, and they played better against good teams during the season. I think 'Bama is a solid choice +2.
Gawd, Alabama gave Mississippi St. their one and only conference win this season, Oklahoma St. in a cruise in this bowl game, if you can call a game between two teams that each lost 6 of their last 9 game a bowl game,ugh.
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Mike Rose: INDEPENDENCE BOWL - Bama vs Ok State
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