This is the only bowl game outside of the BCS games that features two top 20 teams and only the third of the non-BCS to be between ranked teams. This should be a very good matchup, because first of all Oregon State was a few points away from defeating Oregon and going to the Rose Bowl.
On the other hand BYU is making their fifth straight appearance to the Las Vegas Bowl. Last year BYU only practiced a few times and did not take their practices or in fact the game all that seriously. This time seems to be different because the opponent is a high quality one with 20th ranked Oregon State. Also, a win by BYU could vault them to the top 10.
Now on to statistically break down and blindly judge who is going to win this game:
| Category |  |
 |
Edge |
| Scoring Offense | 34.8 PPG | 32.4 PPG | |
| Rushing Offense | 148.17 YPG | 144.17 YPG | |
| Passing Offense | 288.8 YPG | 275.3 YPG | |
| Total Offense | 436.9 YPG | 419.4 YPG | |
| Penalties | 66 YPG | 56.4 YPG | |
| Scoring Defense | 21.7 PPG | 23.4 PPG | |
| Rushing Defense | 112 YPG | 114.25 YPG | |
| Passing Defense | 219.1 YPG | 238.7 YPG | |
| Total Defense | 331.1 YPG | 352.9 YPG | |
| Turnovers Lost (Season) | 22 | 8 | |
| Turnovers Margin |
-.08 per game | .50 per game | |
| Third Down Conversions | 55.48% | 47.31% | |
| Third Down Defense | 38.95% | 35.95% | |
| Red Zone Offense | 87.50% | 96.30% | |
| Red Zone Defense | 80% | 82.50% |
|
Very surprised how much more categories that BYU is ahead of Oregon State. The reasoning could be that the Pac-10 was a tougher league then the Mountain West this year. This should be one of the better bowl games of the season.