Alamo Bowl: Our Best Bet for Arizona vs. Oklahoma

One of the most intriguing games of the college football bowl season is the 2023 Valero Alamo Bowl. The Arizona Wildcats are a small favorite over the Oklahoma Sooners and oddsmakers are expecting lots of points, as the total is currently sitting at 62.5.

Which team has the edge in this clash between the Big 12 and the Pac 12? Check out our best bet for the Alamo Bowl on Thursday, December 28 below. Good luck with all of your wagers!

Arizona Wildcats vs Oklahoma Sooners

The Wildcats finished the regular season 9-3 and 14th in the polls. It was a pass-happy offense that fueled them throughout the year. Both Noah Fifita and Jayden de Laura spent time under center and helped the Cats average over 300 yards per game through the air which ranked them 16th in the country.

Not only were they able to move the ball through the air, they were spectacular on 3rd down and converted on 50% of their attempts. Tetairoa McMillan and Jacob Cowing combined for 21 receiving touchdowns and over 1900 yards. They will be without LT Jordan Morgan, who opted out but that is extremely minimal compared to the majority of teams in these bowl games.

Oklahoma finished the season 12th in the country with a 10-2 record. They were 3rd in scoring with a 43.2ppg average. The Sooners averaged over 500 yards of total offense per game which was 6th in the country. Dillon Gabriel ran the offense and looked like a Heisman hopeful at times but struggled in their 2 losses.

However, he will not be under center in this contest. He has entered the transfer portal and will be an Oregon Duck next season. True Freshman, Jackson Arnold, will start this one after compiling 202 yards on 18-24 passes and 2 touchdowns.

Tawee Walker and Marcus Major who were 2 of the top 4 rushers for Oklahoma also entered the transfer portal. Three offensive linemen will join safety Key Lawrence in the transfer portal and will not participate in the Alamo Bowl.

Best Bet: Arizona -2.5 (BetMGM)

The number of starters that the Sooners will be missing due to the transfer portal is going to be too much to overcome. They will also be without their offensive coordinator, Jeff Lebby, who has accepted the head coaching job at Mississippi State.

The Sooners’ defense has not been great this season and now without one of their top tacklers in Key Lawrence, they are going to have a hard time slowing down the passing attack of the Wildcats. Let’s lay the small number with the Wildcats!

Key Trends:

• Arizona is 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games.
• Arizona is 8-0 SU in their last 8 games when playing as the favorite.
• Oklahoma is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games played on a Thursday.
• Oklahoma is 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing as the underdog.