VIRGINIA TECH (9-3) VS. OKLAHOMA ST. (9-3)
Site: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
Kickoff: Thursday, 5:15 p.m. TV: ESPN.
Line: Oklahoma State by 5.
All-time series: Tied 1-1.
Last meeting: Virginia Tech 34, Oklahoma St. 32 (1972).
VIRGINIA TECH
Coach: Justin Fuente (2nd season, 19-7; overall 6th season, 45-30).
All-time postseason: 13-17.
Last postseason appearance: Beat Arkansas 35-24 in 2016 Belk Bowl.
Draft spotlight: LB Andrew Motuapuaka. The four-year starter may not test out at the top of the combine in February, but there are few linebackers who can read and react the way he can. Teams looking for a new general in the middle need to take a look at this kid. Read full report here.
Other Hokies to watch: WR Cam Phillips, G Wyatt Teller, *LB Tremaine Edmunds, CB Brandon Facyson, CB Greg Stroman.
Hokie Talk: Tech’s six blocked kicks are tied for the FBS lead with three other teams. The Hokies also have allowed just 307 return yards (punts and kickoffs), lowest among Power 5 schools. … Edmunds was a Butkus Award finalist after a 102-tackle season. He’s still just 19 years old. … Tech has not won in the state of Florida since beating Miami in 2013.
OKLAHOMA STATE
Coach: Mike Gundy (13th season, 113-53).
All-time postseason: 17-10.
Last postseason appearance: Beat Colorado 38-8 in 2016 Alamo Bowl.
Draft spotlight: QB Mason Rudolph. The South Carolina native has the traditional NFL body and makeup of an NFL starter. Tall, strong, and comfortable in the pocket. Very accurate all over the field that has the proper blend of touch and zip on his passes underneath.
Other Cowboys to watch: WR James Washington, WR Marcell Ateman, C Brad Lundblade, FS Tre Flowers.
Cowboy Tales: A bowl victory would give OSU its third consecutive 10-win season, the longest such streak in school history. It would be the sixth 10-win season since 2010. … The Cowboys lead the nation in passing offense (392.3 yards) and are second in total offense (575.7). … Washington leads all FBS receivers with 1,423 receiving yards.
* underclass draft prospect