In Arizona’s first bowl appearance in six years, the 14th-ranked Wildcats are set to take on No. 12 Oklahoma in the Valero Alamo Bowl on December 28 in San Antonio. This matchup marks the fifth occasion of the Alamo Bowl hosting a Top 15 clash during the College Football Playoff era. Notably, the Wildcats and Sooners represent the highest-ranked pairing in the postseason outside of the College Football Playoff and New Year’s Six bowl games.
As Arizona prepares to depart the Pac-12 for the Big 12 in 2024, they find themselves pitted against an Oklahoma team in the midst of transitioning from the Big 12 to the SEC. Remarkably, the Wildcats are among the eight Pac-12 teams qualifying for a bowl game this season.
Arizona Wildcats
Arizona (9-3) concluded the regular season on an impressive six-game winning streak. Surpassing expectations, they secured the third spot in the Pac-12 standings after being initially pegged at eighth in the preseason conference media poll.
In their final regular match, the Wildcats dominated the Arizona State Sun Devils with a resounding 59-23 victory. Quarterback Noah Fifita delivered a stellar performance, amassing 527 passing yards with an impressive 73.2% completion rate on 30-of-41 attempts. His contribution included five touchdowns and one interception. On the ground, Michael Wiley showcased his prowess by carrying the ball 12 times for 66 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry, and scoring two rushing touchdowns. Wiley also made his presence felt in the passing game with two receptions for 35 yards and an additional touchdown.
Leading the charge in the receiving department against the Sun Devils was Tetairoa McMillan, who hauled in 11 passes for an impressive 266 yards and one touchdown. The comprehensive performance by these key players underscores the Wildcats’ strength and momentum heading into the Alamo Bowl.
Arizona Betting Stats
Arizona boasts an impressive 9-2-0 record against the spread.
When favored by at least 3 points, Arizona has secured two ATS victories, holding a 2-2 record in such situations.
Throughout the current season, four out of Arizona’s 11 games have surpassed the over point total.
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma, boasting a 10-2 record, commands the nation’s fifth-best offense, averaging an impressive 502.4 yards per game. The Sooners’ redshirt senior quarterback and former UCF transfer, Dillon Gabriel, stand as the sixth-highest passer in college football. He has accumulated 3,660 yards, accompanied by 30 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Gabriel’s career passing yards of 14,865 rank him eighth among all-time college quarterbacks, following luminaries like Case Keenum, Timmy Chang, Landry Jones, Graham Harrell, Sam Hartman, Ty Detmer, and Bo Nix. Notably, his 42 all-purpose touchdowns this season lead the Big 12 conference.
In their last game, a decisive 69-45 victory over the TCU Horned Frogs, Dillon Gabriel showcased his prowess. He amassed 400 passing yards, completing 24 of 38 attempts with three touchdowns and one interception. Adding to his dynamic performance, Gabriel contributed seven carries for 36 yards and secured one rushing touchdown.
Gavin Sawchuk made a significant impact on the ground, carrying the ball 22 times for 130 yards and three touchdowns, while also catching two passes for 16 yards. Drake Stoops proved to be a reliable target, hauling in 12 passes on 14 targets for 125 yards, averaging 10.4 yards per reception, and scoring one touchdown. The collective effort of these players underscores the offensive prowess of the Sooners as they head into their upcoming matchup.
Oklahoma Betting Stats
Oklahoma has exceeded expectations by beating the spread in eight out of their 12 games.
The Sooners maintain an unblemished record against the spread (1-0) when entering a game as a 3-point underdog or facing a greater point spread this season.
In seven out of their 12 games, Oklahoma has witnessed the total points surpassing the designated point total. This indicates a propensity for high-scoring matchups.
Alamo Bowl Betting Odds
The Wildcats are field goal favorites in their matchup against the Sooners. The total is set at 62 points.
Starting out in the betting industry, Henry later found his calling in sports writing. Specializing in soccer, golf, and darts, he also offers insights into a wide array of sports across the globe. After earning a BA Honors degree in Business and Management, Henry advanced through the ranks at William Hill in England. His career isn't just limited to sports; he's also made a mark in Property and Finance, fields in which he remains engaged. Henry now resides in Barcelona, where he enjoys playing golf year-round as part of the Real Federacion Espanola de Golf.