5 Bold Predictions for Washington vs. Oklahoma State in Cactus Bowl

By Alex Drude

5 Bold Predictions for Washington vs. Oklahoma State in Cactus Bowl

Oklahoma State Cowboys fans cheer with large cut outs of Chuck Norris and Zach Galifianakis during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Boone Pickens Stadium. — Chuck Norris could beat both Washington and Oklahoma State with one hand tied behind his back. Zach Galifianakis would have to change the name of his show to “Between Two Cacti” if he did it on location for this bowl game. Those aren’t really predictions, but here are five actual bold predictions for the Cactus Bowl.

(Game time: Jan. 2, 2015, 10:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.)

5. It Won’t Be Mike Gundy’s Last Game As Oklahoma State Head Coach

Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy argues with an official during the first half against the Missouri Tigers in the 2014 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium

5. It Won’t Be Mike Gundy’s Last Game As Oklahoma State Head Coach

Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy argues with an official during the first half against the Missouri Tigers in the 2014 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium — Win or lose, OSU is on the rise with an extremely promising freshman QB, breakout sophomore defensive end and a very young team that will improve quickly. The Pokes are climbing and the coach with the most wins in program history will get an 11th season at his alma mater.

4. UW's Shaq Thompson Will Score An Offensive And Defensive Touchdown

Washington Huskies linebacker Shaq Thompson (7) carries in the third quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 38-23.

4. UW's Shaq Thompson Will Score An Offensive And Defensive Touchdown

Washington Huskies linebacker Shaq Thompson (7) carries in the third quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 38-23. — NFL scouts say the junior Dawg might be more of a pro prospect at running back than linebacker. Even All-America team voters hedged their bets and named him to the squad as an “all-purpose” player. Unsure yet whether he’ll skip his senior season, he’ll score both ways in what could end up being his final collegiate bowl game.

3. OSU Freshman QB Mason Rudolph Will Not Fold Under Pressure

Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (10) rolls out to pass in the second quarter against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium.

3. OSU Freshman QB Mason Rudolph Will Not Fold Under Pressure

Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (10) rolls out to pass in the second quarter against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. — The Cactus Bowl will be just his third collegiate start, yet Oklahoma media is already using the well-worn phrase “dark-horse Heisman candidate” to describe his 2015. Gundy even burned his redshirt so he could start the final two regular season games. Rudolph may make mistakes against Thompson and the Washington defense, but he’ll hold his own. Insert your own inevitable Christmas song parody here. For instance, "Won't you guide my team tonight?"

2. Washington Freshman QB Cyler Miles Will Struggle

Washington Huskies quarterback Cyler Miles (10) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium.

2. Washington Freshman QB Cyler Miles Will Struggle

Washington Huskies quarterback Cyler Miles (10) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. — On the other side, Washington's freshman QB, Cyler Miles, will not be so hot. Oklahoma State sophomore defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah has been the Cowboys’ head-turning defensive star and will say hello often. Miles ranked pretty much dead last statistically for Pac-12 QBs who started every game. However, the Washington D will pick up Miles, as has been the case all this year.

1. Chris Petersen’s Arizona Bowl Win Streak Will Continue

Washington Huskies head coach Chris Petersen yells to his team during the third quarter of the game against the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium. The Washington Huskies defeated the California Golden Bears 31-7

1. Chris Petersen’s Arizona Bowl Win Streak Will Continue

Washington Huskies head coach Chris Petersen yells to his team during the third quarter of the game against the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium. The Washington Huskies defeated the California Golden Bears 31-7 — While with Boise State, Petersen won the 2007 Fiesta Bowl thanks to some Statue of Liberty two-point conversion you may have heard of as well as the 2010 Fiesta Bowl to become just the second team ever to finish 14-0. Make it three-straight for Petersen in the desert and his first as Washington's head man, with the defense and Thompson specifically leading the way.

Alex Drude is a Pac-12 writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Alex_Drude. “Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google+.

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