For starters, any game between 9-3 teams both ranked in the top 25 is big, but this one just seems a little more special. This game features what could be two NFL QBs: Mason Rudolph and Jackson. Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph is a senior QB in his fourth bowl game and if not for this being one of the most stacked QB draft classes in awhile, he would be a sure fire first-round pick. On the other side of the field, Virginia Tech’s Josh Jackson is a true freshman QB who was 3 star recruit out Michigan and started in all 12 games this season while throwing for close to 3000 yards.

Mason Rudolph

This is a gutsy decision for Rudolph to play in this bowl game instead of sitting it out. Many look at him as the fifth or sixth QB to be taken, but that will still like land him in the second round. Rudolph looks like he has all the intangibles to be a great QB with the perfect 6’5 Size, strong arm, and lack of interceptions, but this is all in the Big 12 where defense is usually kept at a minimum. Virginia Tech has a very good defense and this will be a good test for Rudolph to show NFL teams he’s ready.

Josh Jackson

In 2017, the college sports landscape was graced with three premier players that all dawned the name Josh Jackson. Kansas got the ball rolling with future #4 overall pick Josh Jackson, who was the best player on the #3 team in the nation and ended up getting a 1 seed in the bracket. Next is Josh Jackson, the corner-back on Iowa who had seven interceptions on the year. Then we got the freshman QB Josh Jackson who, before his first game, got a good luck on the season call from none other than his family friend Tom Brady. With that good luck, JJ has given the Hokies 9 wins. It has not been without any hiccups though; since his hot first 7 games, he has not played great. In the following five games, he did not throw more than one touchdown in a single game and in only two games did he throw for more than 200 yards. While you can’t expect a freshman to be amazing every game, the Hokies are expecting that in this one, as they try to end their season on a high note.