Arizona vs. Oklahoma Prediction, Preview, and Odds
Free Daily NBA Lock Pick, Tuesday December 26th: Charlotte vs LA Clippers 10:30pm ET
A school joining the Big 12 next season will get their bowl game opportunity against one of the programs leaving the conference. The Pac-12's Arizona Wildcats (9-3; 10-2-0 ATS) are taking on the Big 12's Oklahoma Sooners (10-2; 8-4-0 ATS) in the Alamo Bowl. There's no place that this game could be but San Antonio's Alamodome, with kickoff scheduled for 9:15 p.m. EDT. Both teams have a winning streak of at least three games before Thursday's battle. Who will cap their season with one more victory?
Are your football picks feeling stale? Try our NCAAF Betting picks and make a score!
Wildcats Looking to Win Out
Arizona had an uninspiring 3-3 start to the season, but a 36-point win over Arizona State ended their regular season with a six-game winning streak. The Wildcats used 453.4 yards per game, the 17th-most nationwide, to do most of their damage. It led to 34.3 points per game (21st). Arizona finished 12th in passing (304.5 yards per game), and quarterback Noah Fifita finished with 23 touchdowns against five interceptions. His QBR was sixth in college football this season. On the ground, the Wildcats run for 148.9 yards per game. AP First-Team All-Pac-12 left tackle Jordan Morgan opted out of this game, which is a massive blow. Fellow tackle Snoop Leota-Amaama is also in the transfer portal. Arizona's offense wasn't decimated by the transfer portal, but a crucial missing piece may play an important part in this game.
Meanwhile, eight different defensive players hit the transfer portal before this game. Arizona had a solid defense, but their depth will be tested. Facing dangerous Pac-12 offenses for most of the season, the Wildcats kept opponents to 20.8 points per game. Quarterbacks picked up 229.6 yards through the air on 59.8% completion. Running backs only averaged 3.4 yards per carry and 111.7 yards per game. There wasn't much love for the Wildcats this season, but this team was quietly strong. Hopefully, their missing pieces won't slow them down.
Sooners Big 12 Send-off
The Sooners will try to enter the SEC with a four-game winning streak. They'll have to do so without one of the biggest transfer portal players of the postseason, starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel. He is now an Oregon Duck and not suiting up. So, five-star recruit Jackson Arnold (who threw 24 passes all season) will take over an offense that was fifth nationally in yards per game with 502.4. The Sooners scored 43.2 points per game, the third-most in the country. Gabriel is far from the only key absence in this game. Running backs Tawee Walker and Marcus Major also decided to transfer. Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby is in Starkville with the Mississippi State Bulldogs now. Five linemen, a few of which were starters, are also opt-outs or in the transfer portal. This offense may be unfamiliar on Thursday, even if there's still plenty of talent.
Key Lawrence is the only major defensive departure, but the Sooners struggled to get stops down the stretch. Over their last eight games, Oklahoma allowed 29.1 points per game, and each opponent scored at least 20. For the season, the Sooners allowed 390.3 yards per contest. 19 interceptions helped Oklahoma keep points off the board when they found success. However, allowing 4.1 yards per rush was a clear weakness, one that they'll need to shore up for the Alamo Bowl.
Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAF Predictions!
Tuesday's Top Plays
Tuesday's Top Plays
Tom Macrina - 17-3-2 CFB Run - Snag Tom's Tuesday CFB Best Bet For $29 -
Michael Briggs - 9-1 CFB Run - Snatch up Mikes Top CFB Bowl Play For $29 -
Trent Pruitt - 9-1-1 CFB Run - Grab Trent's Tuesday Red-Hot CFB Best Bet For $29 -
Nick Parsons - 6-1 In Bowls - Snag Nick's Quick Lane Bowl Rout For $30 -
Mason Folz - 9-1 NBA Run - Grab Mason's Tuesday NBA Slam Dunk Best Bet For $29 -
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Rating:
There's no way to trust Oklahoma's offense with all of the new parts in play on Thursday. That group was one of college football's most lethal all regular season, but the receiver room is the only one that doesn't look completely different. As is, Arizona has a solid defense, even if they're also missing players.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats have an offense that consistently puts up 450 yards and 30+ points. They're tasked with a Sooners defense that's struggling, allowing over 29 points per game over their past eight. Arizona shouldn't have any issues moving the ball or scoring if they can avoid turnovers. Take the Wildcats to win and cover.
Prediction: Arizona -2.5
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Rating:
While both offenses had explosive seasons, 63 points are too many for these teams to reach. It starts with Oklahoma, who has a new QB, a few new linemen, and a different offensive coordinator all taking the reins in this game. Don't be shocked if the Sooners have very visible growing pains.
Arizona won't have as many issues, but their typically pass-heavy approach gives Oklahoma opportunities to make plays with their back seven. The Sooners were stronger against the pass than the run, especially with creating takeaways. The Wildcats will score plenty of points, but not enough to carry this game over the total. Roll with the under.
Prediction: Under 62.5
Watching, playing, and talking about sports has always been an essential part of my life. I graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Communication, and now, I'm striving to be an essential voice in sports media for decades to come. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone more competitive than me, and that extends into my sports betting predictions as well. We're all here to win, and my goal is to make that happen every single night while letting my personality shine in the process. I am honored to be apart of this team.
