Preview of Arizona Wildcats Bowl Game: Sooners Await in Alamo Bowl
The Arizona Wildcats found out on Sunday that they will be playing in their first bowl game since 2017. Jedd Fisch’s team will be traveling to the Riverwalk later this month.
The 9-3 Arizona Wildcats are set to face off against Oklahoma from the Big 12 Conference in the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on December 28. This matchup is anticipated to spark significant interest in sports betting in Arizona during the festive season.
After a hiatus since the 2017 Foster Farms Bowl loss to Purdue, Arizona will make a return to a bowl game. The defeat ended a 7-6 season led by former coach Rich Rodriguez.
Details of the Arizona Wildcats vs. Oklahoma Sooners Bowl Game
Success in the 2023 Arizona Football Bowl Game
It has been eight years since the Wildcats last won a bowl game, but there is optimism among oddsmakers that this streak could end this year. ESPN BET Arizona has the Wildcats as 3.5-point favorites with a moneyline of -145.
The 2023 football season for Arizona changed course when coach Fisch decided to give freshman quarterback Noah Fifita the starting role over veteran Jayden De Laura in late September. Following this decision, the Wildcats have achieved a 6-2 record, with their only defeats being against College Football Playoff contender Washington and in a double-overtime match against USC.
With a 10-2 record, the Sooners head into the Alamo Bowl after securing victories in their last three games against West Virginia, BYU, and TCU. Despite losses to Oklahoma State and Kansas earlier in the season, Oklahoma is now gearing up for their final Big 12 game. However, they are seen as the underdogs in betting odds, possibly due to uncertainty at quarterback following Dillon Gabriel’s recent decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal on Monday.
The Wildcats and Sooners are expected to have a high-scoring game on Dec. 28, with Arizona betting apps setting the over-under for total points at 62.5.
Tucson’s Year to Remember
This autumn, the Wildcats established a solid base for a bright future by surpassing the highest number of wins in Tucson since 2014, marking a new benchmark for the program.
Arizona fans can look forward to the team’s offense getting better in 2024, as Fifita is expected to cement his position as the starting quarterback. In his impressive freshman season, he threw for 2,515 yards and 23 touchdowns with just five interceptions.
Tetairoa McMillan, a standout wide receiver, is set to make a key return for the Wildcats in 2024. He had a remarkable sophomore season, recording 80 receptions for 1,242 yards and 10 touchdowns. McMillan is anticipated to be Arizona’s first top round draft pick since Antoine Cason in 2008 when he becomes eligible in 2025.
Arizona’s top defensive tackler, Jacob Manu, is expected to return as a true junior in 2024 after a standout season with 97 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and an interception. Along with the return of two key players, the Wildcats are currently ranked 46th in recruiting class by 247 Sports, giving fans hope for a level of success not seen since the Dick Tomey era in the 1990s.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Arizona Wildcats Bowl Game
Author
Peterson Christopher, who has spent over seven years reporting on sports and sports betting in Arizona for publications such as ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly, and the Green Valley News, is now the lead writer at yengols.com.
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