West Virginia (10-2) vs. Oklahoma (11-2)

Conference Matchup: Big East vs. Big 12
Date: 8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 2
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Spread: Oklahoma -7.5

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So, apparently there's something going on with the West Virginia coaching staff that's going to impact this game. Not sure what it is though, seeing as I've been in an Afghani cave for the last few weeks.

Rich Rodriguez is out, an interim coach is in, and basically all hell has broken loose around the West Virginia program. Remember - this is also a team that just needed to throttle Pittsburgh at home, as a four-touchdown favorite, to waltz into the BCS Title Game. But they lost and now, although a BCS bowl game is a decent consolation, may still be feeling the lingering effects. Mix in the coaching shakeup and you really have to wonder where this team's head is.

Oklahoma, on the other hand, could be looking forward to another trip to Phoenix after last year's loss to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. While the Broncos were a very talented team, that loss certainly was an embarrassment for a program with the national stature that the Sooners possess. Factor in that ambiguous revenge and consider that Oklahoma believes it should be playing for the national title and I think you're going to have a focused, motivated team.

West Virginia quarterback Pat White will be back and healthy for this matchup. He suffered an injured thigh against South Florida and a dislocated thumb versus Pitt. Those were the only two games that the Mountaineers lost this season. But a healthy White, along with breakaway threats Steve Slaton and Noel Devine, will still be unleashing a potentially lethal dose of speed upon the Sooner.

But the good news for Oklahoma is that they are one of the teams that are best equipped to handle WVU's spread-option attack. The Sooners rank eighth nationally in rushing defense, surrendering just 91.9 yards per game, and are nasty in the front seven. They also were able to manhandle he Missouri spread attack - although that is obviously a more pass-oriented one - by being more physical at the point of attack.

Neither team has performed very well against the spread in bowl games recently, with West Virginia posting a 1-4 overall ATS mark in their last five and Oklahoma managing a feeble 1-4 ATS in their last five bowl games as a favorite.

West Virginia can cover if: I don't think the key to this game is White or Slaton; I think it's the WVU defense. The Mountaineers boast the No. 4 overall defense in the country and won't be intimidated by the Sooners. If they can confuse a relatively inexperienced Sam Bradford and force a couple turnovers then I think this is a game that WVU can win outright.

Also, the Big East is perpetually underrated on the national scene. As a result they are a cash machine in nonconference games. This is essentially the core of players that toppled Georgia two years ago so they are clearly capable of springing an upset. It all basically comes down to the mindset of this team heading into the game.

Oklahoma can cover if: The Sooners offensive line averages 322 pounds and should be able to maul the 3-3-5-stack defense that the Mountaineers run. If they can control the ball and the clock, avoiding turnovers or costly penalties, then they can slow down the WVU offense through time of possession.

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Bob Stoops is a savant when it comes to Big Game Preparation. I think the coaching edge is critical in this one and that OU will be well schooled in how to exploit West Virginia's unique offensive and defensive schemes. Oklahoma is a stellar 13-6 ATS against teams with a winning record while West Virginia is just 3-7 ATS.

Notes: The Sooners will be without All-Big 12 cornerback Reggie Smith and No. 2 rusher DeMarco Murray. … As of Dec. 17, West Virginia had not named an interim coach to take the team into this game.

For more info on Robert's members picks, check out his Insider Page here.