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Oklahoma State Football: Alamo Bowl could build momentum for Cowboys

By Andrew Miller

Nov 19, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) celebrates with wide receiver James Washington (28) after running for a touchdown during the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) celebrates with wide receiver James Washington (28) after running for a touchdown during the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a 9-3 (7-2 Big 12) finish in the regular season, the Oklahoma State Cowboys look to build momentum for the 2017 season from the Alamo Bowl.

This is a great opportunity for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. They face the no. 10 ranked Colorado Buffaloes in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. CT. The Pokes are ranked no. 12 in the College Football Playoff rankings. San Antonio, TX, will be the site of a game between two teams that will be extremely motivated to finish off great 2016 campaigns.

The Buffs started the 2016 season unranked. Not only were they unranked but they didn’t even receive a single vote in the AP or Coaches Poll. A 10-3 (8-2 PAC-12) record got them an appearance in the PAC-12 Championship and a South division title. Quarterback Sefo Liufau and running back Phillip Lindsay have led the Buffs to their best season since 2001. Head coach Mike MacIntyre should be the leading candidate for Coach of the Year.

Oklahoma State enters this game with a much different point of view. Similar to Colorado, they lost in their final game, which was also for the conference title. A 38-20 defeat at the hands of the Oklahoma Sooners cost the Cowboys a shot at their first Big 12 title since 2011. Head coach Mike Gundy should be motivated to get the Pokes their first bowl win since beating the Washington Huskies in the 2014 Cactus Bowl.

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Preseason rankings put the Pokes in a better position than the Buffs. OK State was ranked no. 21 in the AP Poll and no. 19 in the Coaches Poll.  A heartbreaking loss to the Central Michigan Chippewas at the beginning of the season cost the Pokes a real shot of ever making the College Football Playoff.

However, a 9-3 (7-2 Big 12) record was their second consecutive second place finish in the Big 12. An opportunity lies for them to also get their third 10 win campaign in the last four years.

If the Cowboys can win the Alamo Bowl, they can likely finish inside the top 10. That would give them a lot of momentum to carry into the 2017 season.

Next: Justice Hill wins Big 12 Newcomer of the Year

Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph looks to be on the fence to whether he will declare for the 2017 NFL Draft. Wide receiver James Washington looks to be in the same boat as Rudolph. A win over Colorado could give both players the confidence they need to believe that the Pokes can make a run for not only the Big 12 but a shot at the College Football Playoff next season.

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