Notre Dame vs Oklahoma State Fiesta Bowl Preview

The Marcus Freeman era will begin with one of the biggest challenges at Notre Dame in the past 27 years on the line. Notre Dame hasn't won a NY6/Playoff/BCS Championship since 1994. Because this is both Marcus Freeman first game and the first time Notre Dame and Oklahoma State have ever played many people will be turning into this game to view the next generation of Notre Dame Football.

The Marcus Freeman hired was the first time in my lifetime that almost every Notre Dame fan, player, and coach was in agreement on the hiring of Marcus Freeman. Even though every Notre Dame is excited Marcus Freeman first task won't be an easy one. Oklahoma State has one of the most experienced coaches in the Nation with Mike Gundy being in his 16th year as the Oklahoma State Head Coach. Though Mike Gundy is experienced he has a terrible record in

big games with only 2 wins compared to 14 loses against their biggest rival in Oklahoma. The only NY6 bowl Mike Gundy has won was coincidentally in the Fiesta Bowl in 2010.

With Notre Dame having major opt out in Kyle Hamilton and Kyren Williams this game will probably be more competitive and more interesting. Even with these opt outs it shouldn't affect the game too much because Notre Dame has played without Kyle Hamilton for the final six games of the year and even though Kyren Williams is an amazing back the surprise boost from Logan Diggs shows that Notre Dame will still have a run game.

The Keys to the Game for Oklahoma State

1. Stop Notre Dame's run game

2. Presser Jack Coan

3. Make big plays

The Keys to the Game for Notre Dame

1. Run the Ball effectively

2. Get Michael Mayer going early

3. Don't miss Kyle Hamilton too much

I think that this should be a fun bowl game in which you will see a coach in his first game against one of the most experience head coaches in all the College football. But in the end I think that Notre Dame will get it first NY6 win in 27 years. I think that Notre Dame is the more complete team on the field and has a more dynamic team. Because of this it will be interesting to see the hype surrounding Notre Dame football if in Marcus Freeman's first game he wins the first NY6 bowl in over two decades.

Game Prediction: Notre Dame 34 Oklahoma State 20