Thursday’s slate of college football bowl games comes to a close with an exciting encounter between the 9-3 Arizona Wildcats of the Pac-12 and 10-2 Oklahoma Sooners of the Big 12 in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
Who wins when two entertaining offenses collide in what could be a shootout in San Antonio? Ahead of the game, we’ve got the latest college football betting odds, DFS picks, and an Alamo Bowl prediction.
Alamo Bowl Betting and DFS Preview
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and correct as of Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. Want to take advantage of the Alamo Bowl odds? Visit the College Football Network live college football odds page to place bets in your state.
- Spread
Arizona -3 - Moneyline
Arizona -148, Oklahoma +124 - Over/Under
61 points - Game time
9:15 p.m. ET - Location
Alamodome, San Antonio, TX - Predicted Weather at Kick
39 degrees, 6 mph winds, clear - How to Watch
ESPN,FuboTV
Willing to bet on a Wildcats win? Should you jump on the Oklahoma odds sooner rather than later? If you’re going to take advantage of the Alamo Bowl odds, consider some of the following factors before you part with your hard-earned cash.
There’s something poetic about Arizona and Oklahoma meeting ahead of one replacing the other in the Big 12 as part of a historic round of realignment, and you have to dive into the history books to find the last time they met. Arizona was the victor back in 1989 and is favored to repeat that result on Thursday night in San Antonio.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
One of the form teams in college football, the Wildcats have won their last six games on the back of a devastating offense and some excellent defensive talent. As a result, they’ve covered in all-bar-one game during this run, and are 10-2 through the season. Every victory except over Colorado has come by more than three points.
With Oklahoma missing some key components of their offense, Arizona can outlast the Sooners while covering the spread. With an average of 77.5 points between the two teams, surpassing the 61-point line shouldn’t be an issue. The last three Arizona games have gone over the line, while Oklahoma games are 7-5 in favor of the over during the 2023 college football season.
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
Arizona Depth Chart | Oklahoma Depth Chart
- QB Noah Fifita, Arizona
- QB Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma
- RB Michael Wiley, Arizona
- RB Jonah Coleman, Arizona
- RB Rayshon Luke, Arizona
- RB Gavin Sawchuk, Oklahoma
- RB Tawee Walker, Oklahoma
- RB Jovantae Barnes, Oklahoma
- WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
- WR Jacob Cowing, Arizona
- WR Montana Lemonoius-Craig, Arizona
- WR Nic Anderson, Oklahoma
- WR Drake Stoops, Oklahoma
- WR Jalil Farooq, Oklahoma
- TE Tanner McLachlan, Arizona
- TE Austin Stogner, Oklahoma
There are four college football games on Thursday to compile your DFS team from. If you’re new to DFS, Fanduel Superflex contests require you to select a quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, and a “Superflex” that can be any of the above or a tight end.
Key to your Alamo Bowl picks is unraveling the QB situations across both teams. Outgoing Arizona QB Jayden de Laura is currently listed atop the Wildcats depth chart, but it would be astonishing if he plays anything other than potential garbage time. Noah Fifita is healthy and talented, impressing during his freshman season as the propellant behind a red-hot offense.
MORE: College Football Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker
Despite this, he didn’t surpass 200 fantasy points which at the quarterback position isn’t ideal. Dillon Gabriel takes 363.7 fantasy points to Oregon with him, with Jackson Arnold getting the start in the battle of freshman QBs. Arnold might be the better bet for racking up fantasy points in the Alamo Bowl, with an elevated threat than Fifita in the ground game.
With multiple Oklahoma running backs in the transfer portal, Gavin Sawchuk should be well placed to benefit with an uptick in touches to add to his 610 yards and eight touchdowns. However, if you’re looking for a playmaker to hang your fantasy hat on in the Alamo Bowl, try Tetairoa McMillan for size. Over 1,000 yards and double-digit scores contributed to his 189.34 points.
Prediction for the Alamo Bowl
Okay, so we’ve furnished you with the Alamo Bowl odds and some DFS picks. Now, it’s time to close this thing out with our prediction.
Will the Sooners get a head start on 2024 under freshman quarterback Arnold in the Alamo Bowl? Or will the Wildcats continue their winning ways to get a first 10-win season since 2014, a remarkable year three achievement for Jedd Fisch?
After coming into the season considered a front-runner to land a Big 12 title ahead of their SEC departure, a 10-2 season might be considered a disappointment for Oklahoma. There were highlights — beating Texas in the Red River Rivalry being the standout — but dropping two games in the conference ultimately cost them a shot at the Big 12 Championship Game.
While Oklahoma’s offensive success has been well-documented, their defense has been greatly improved from last season. Averaging 22.2 points per game allowed, Danny Stutsman has led from the linebacker position, while Billy Bowman and Peyton Bowen make up the heart of a secondary that should scare the life of anyone attempting to move the ball on the Sooners.
For as good as Oklahoma’s defense is, Arizona’s offense might be even better. They’ll have all components at their disposal in the Alamo Bowl, with QB Fifita surrounded by a trip of reliable and dangerous ball-catchers and a ground game as important to the passing game as it is to move the chains on the ground. Jonah Coleman and Michael Wiley combined for 588 receiving yards.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats defense ranks in the top 30 nationally, allowing just 20.8 points per game. Tacario Davis has the third most pass breakups in the nation, while Jacob Manu and Taylor Upshaw have spent the season feasting in opposition backfields. With Oklahoma missing several offensive linemen, their starting QB, and several RBs, Arizona has the advantage here.
Prediction: Arizona 37, Oklahoma 31
Miss any action from the top college QB Rankings during the 2023 football season? Want to track all the movement with the college football’s transfer portal? College Football Network has you covered with that and more!