Notre Dame football vs. Oklahoma State Fiesta Bowl: 3 things to watch

3 of 3

STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Spencer Sanders #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys tries to find his receiver in the end zone as he runs from linebacker DaShaun White #23 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the fourth quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 27, 2021, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys won ‘Bedlam’ 37-33. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football vs. Oklahoma State Fiesta Bowl: 3 things to watch

Getting pressure on Spencer Sanders

Over his past two games, Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders has struggled to protect the football, something that needs to play into the hands of this Irish defense in the Fiesta Bowl. The Cowboys have a dynamic offense, and Sanders is certainly a guy who can put up points in bunches, but he has six interceptions across his last two games, including four in the crucial Big 12 Championship Game.

It has been some time since the Cowboys last took the field, but after a bad effort against rival Oklahoma, and then the clunker against Baylor for a chance to go to the College Football Playoff, you have to wonder where his head is at. Oklahoma State has some elite running back talent, including Jaylen Warren, who missed the Big 12 title game and is slated to return in time to take on the Irish.

Oct 2, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish Defensive Coordinator Marcus Freeman signals to his players in the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

4 things that should be on the Notre Dame football team’s Christmas List

The Notre Dame football team will take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Fiesta Bowl, but here, we look at what should be on their Christmas List.

A Fiesta Bowl win would be an outstanding capper to this season, one that started out looking very grim but ended with the Irish finishing with a flourish. Behind a new head coach, and players putting on the uniform for the last time, you have to think the Irish are going to be more than ready to lock in win No. 12 to finish the season.

Home/Notre Dame Football