Expect ‘Big Game’ Bob, Sooners to roll over Clemson

It's almost time to kick off the best games of the bowl season, and I'm banking on "Big Game" Bob Stoops to be at his best.

The Oklahoma coach has flopped in several big spots in recent years. He even lost to Texas as a 17-point favorite in October. But that's when everything changed for the Sooners, who are rolling into the College Football Playoff.

Why is undefeated Clemson, the nation's No. 1 team, an underdog to Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl on New Year's Eve? There are good reasons for it. The 3½-point line says a lot.

Ask most handicappers where they ranked the Tigers all season, and I can promise not one sharp handicapper had Clemson in the top spot.

The Tigers' schedule has been the easiest of the top four teams. I'm not doubting Deshaun Watson, one of the nation's best quarterbacks, but I don't think he has the weapons around him to match the Sooners' high-powered offense.

Baker Mayfield has been a money player for Oklahoma, passing for 35 touchdowns with five interceptions. He's also dangerous on the ground, rushing for 420 yards and seven scores. Mayfield is so good that Trevor Knight, who torched Alabama in the Sugar Bowl two years ago, appears to be transferring to Kansas State. Running backs Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon will cause problems for the Clemson defense, too.

This is not the same Choke-lahoma team that was upset by Texas. It's definitely not the same Sooners team that was blown out by Clemson in a bowl last year.

In the "Sports Betting Spotlight" video we shot for the Review-Journal last week, I made Oklahoma my best bet for the bowl season. I'm expecting Stoops to step up and the Sooners to win by double digits.

Two more plays for the bowls:

Cotton Bowl, Thursday

Alabama (-9½) over Michigan State — It hurts me to sound the proverbial Southeastern Conference horn, but get ready for it. The Spartans had several unimpressive wins this season and opened 0-6 against the spread. The Crimson Tide defense, which allowed six rushing touchdowns this season, is going to shut down the Michigan State running game, similar to what happened against Louisiana State.

The Tide is going to ride Derrick Henry, the Heisman Trophy winner who rushed for 1,986 yards and 23 touchdowns. I am a fan of Spartans quarterback Connor Cook, who has a history of fourth-quarter rallies, but Alabama will roll by two touchdowns.

Rose Bowl, Jan. 1

Iowa (+7) over Stanford — I'm most looking forward to this bowl. The Hawkeyes were undefeated going into the Big Ten championship game, but they gave up a last-minute touchdown and covered by the hook in a 16-13 loss to Michigan State. What coach Kirk Ferentz has done with this Iowa team is impressive. The defense has allowed 18.5 points per game, and quarterback C.J. Beathard threw only one interception in the past six games.

The Cardinal were lucky to squeak past Washington State and Notre Dame. I don't see them pulling away in this situation. Take the better defense and the points. The line has moved from 6½ to 7 at a few books. I'll say Stanford wins by a field goal.

— Kelly Stewart of Kellyinvegas.com is a sports betting columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Follow her on Twitter: @kellyinvegas.