The Fiesta Bowl takes center stage on Wednesday night at the University of Phoenix Stadium, between Big East champions West Virginia (10-2) and Big 12 champions Oklahoma (11-2). Fans and bettors should expect a high-scoring game, as both of these schools ranked in the Top 20 in total offense.

The Mountaineers had a very disappointing end to this season, falling to rival Pittsburgh as huge favorites at home in their regular-season finale, which cost them a shot at the national championship game. Then-West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez defected for the position at Michigan, deserting the Mountaineers before one of the biggest games in the school’s history.

Interim coach Bill Stewart inherits the fourth-ranked ground game in the country, powered by quarterback Pat White and running backs Steve Slaton and Noel Devine. Slaton will have a lot of attention on him in this contest, as the preseason Heisman candidate fell into a slump in the second half of the season. The Mountaineers ranked fourth in the nation in total defense.

The Sooners’ two losses came by a combined total of ten points, so it is safe to say that Oklahoma is one tough team. Freshman Sam Bradford is at the helm of the country’s 17th-ranked unit in total offense, as the Sooners ranked third in the NCAA in points scored. Allen Patrick leads a talented group of running backs.

The Sooners are also solid defensively, coming in seventh against the run, ninth in scoring defense and 18th in total defense. The Sooners also have the top-ranked kickoff-return group in the country, which gives Oklahoma a huge edge in the battle for field position.

The Sooners are favored by a 7-point spread over the Mountaineers in the Fiesta Bowl , and Oklahoma would love nothing more than a victory to avenge last season’s 43-42 overtime loss to Boise State in this same bowl game. The key to this game will be on defense, as the Sooners’ great rush defense will have their hands full with the fast West Virginia spread offense.

For the Mountaineers, Slaton needs to break out and take some of the pressure off of White, and their defense has to step up against the best offense they have seen this season.

Odds (Sportsbetting.com)
West Virginia: +7
Oklahoma: -7 (O/U 63.5)