Fiesta Bowl: The Oklahoman's writers pick the game

Columnist

* Oklahoma State 35, Stanford 33: Can Cowboys slow Stanford run game? Can Cardinal counter OSU's athletic edge?

JENNI CARLSON

Columnist

* Oklahoma State 34, Stanford 28: The Stanford defense likes man coverage. Trouble for the Cardinal is Justin Blackmon likes it, too. Some teams have tried to defend the Cowboy receiver one-on-one — and failed. Look for a big game in Blackmon's OSU finale.

GINA MIZELL

OSU writer

* Oklahoma State 38, Stanford 35: This will be the shootout everyone expected, with Andrew Luck and Brandon Weeden dominating through the air. But the Cowboy defense will create a crucial turnover, as always, and Quinn Sharp will win this game with a big play on special teams.

JOHN HELSLEY

OSU writer

* Oklahoma State 42, Stanford 38: How else to project this game but as a shootout? Weeden and Blackmon and Co. against a Cardinal defense previously exposed by speed and skill. A bruising run game also armed with the accurate arm of Andrew Luck. Advantage offense -- both offenses.