Beat writer Mike Schmitz:
Oklahoma State is a much better team than its No. 14 ranking suggests, as it was poised for a BCS bowl berth before losing to Oklahoma in the season finale. The Cowboys’ offense is flawless and their run defense ranked second in the Big 12 Conference, which doesn’t bode well for an Arizona team thirsting to establish the run. If there’s one team that can hang with the OSU offense, it’s the Wildcats’ but Brandon Weeden, Justin Blackmon and Kendall Hunter will prove too much for Arizona when it’s all said and done. Arizona should shake off its four-game skid and come out with some fire, but the Cowboys are simply the better football team.
Oklahome State 49, Arizona 38
Beat writer Nicole Dimtsios:
The Wildcats are limping into the 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl after losing four straight games to close out the season. Oklahoma State also closed out the season with a loss, but the Cowboys still notched a 10-2 record this season. Oklahoma State has the offensive balance to test the Wildcats’ secondary and defensive line, something that has doomed Arizona’s defense in its last four games. Arizona hangs with OSU for a while before the Brandon Weeden-Justin Bloackmon connection cashes in.
OSU 45, Arizona 27