Arizona is getting better, fast.\u00a0 In a four game stretch they lost to USC in overtime, walloped WSU, survived hosting Oregon State, and easily beat UCLA.\u00a0 Life is good.\u00a0 As they enter the Big 12, Oklahoma exits.\u00a0 Why does 10-2 feel like they weren\u2019t relevant nationally, and is that fair?\u00a0 This could be entertaining<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find free college football best bets<\/a> and bowl game coverage<\/a> this postseason. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We knew Arizona could move the ball offensively, but the defense improved by leaps and bounds over 2022.\u00a0 The PAC 12 was explosive in 2022 yet the Wildcats more than held their own.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only did the point defense improve, but so did the run defense and pass defense.\u00a0 After allowing 5.75 per carry (213 per game) and almost 70% through the air, Arizona\u2019s 2023 numbers were 3.7-118.5 yards per game and 60% allowed through the air.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s break down a couple of comparable games.\u00a0 Washington ran 26-116 and passed 30-40.\u00a0 Oregon State ran 29-131 and passed 18-33.\u00a0 Oklahoma is a high scoring team, with their 2nd<\/sup> worst performance being 24 points.\u00a0 This game will be on a fast track so let\u2019s see if the Wildcats can limit the Sooners to 27 here.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Offensively, Arizona never scored below 24 points.\u00a0 I like Oklahoma\u2019s pass defense but QB Fitita hit 73% for the season.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Two players are on my watch list for the Wildcats.\u00a0 RB Coleman has a toe injury.\u00a0 That must be monitored.\u00a0 WR Cowling is rumored to be deciding whether or not to play.\u00a0 Head Coach Jedd Fisch is on record as saying one or two players may opt-out.\u00a0 Keep an eye on all news from Arizona<\/strong>.\u00a0 The sack ratio was 31-21.\u00a0 The PK was 16-21.\u00a0 Arizona is noticeably deficient defending kick and punt returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Sooners had a \u201cmiracle\u201d win vs. Texas, but suffered a letdown thereafter, with a too close for comfort win vs. UCF (31-29), a loss at Kansas, and another loss at highly motivated Oklahoma State.\u00a0 Propelling them to 11-2 was a +11 turnover ratio, with a +13 interception differential.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Will any bowl game have their two starting QB\u2019s intact?\u00a0 QB Gabriel exits, so it remains to be seen if projected starting QB Jackson Arnold can limit turnovers.\u00a0 He saw limited action this season.\u00a0 Three RB\u2019s may miss this game, but freshman RB Sawchuk (610-5.8) is here and was already their best option.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n I haven\u2019t heard of any Sooner WR missing the game, so that\u2019s nice.\u00a0 The OL however will be without three starters and probably three backups.\u00a0 The OL allowed only 17 sacks, but Arizona is dangerous vs. the revamped OL and young QB.\u00a0 The other news is that coordinator Jeff Lebby is gone (Head Coach for Mississippi State).\u00a0 We might be looking at some offensive regression.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Oklahoma was better than expected defending the pass.\u00a0 Many opponents were held below expectations.\u00a0 Fifita will get his completions, but perhaps the damage can be limited.\u00a0 In a surprise, the Sooners could be at near full strength on this side of the ball.\u00a0 One area that was not good was defensive sacks (19).\u00a0 The 3rd<\/sup> down conversion ratio was very good.\u00a0 Kicking was average at 14-20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Can Arizona\u2019s pass rush get to the young Oklahoma QB?\u00a0 Who\u2019s healthy at RB for Arizona, and can the run game keep the Sooner\u2019s off balance?\u00a0 What are realistic expectations for an Oklahoma offense missing their coordinator and three starting OL.\u00a0 When do we find out who might be missing the game for the Wildcats?<\/p>\n\n\n\n At full strength the Sooners would be -2, but the offense has a bunch of new parts and the very motivated Wildcats deserve to be favored (currently -2.5\/3).\u00a0 I\u2019m hopeful that the WR unit stays intact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the WR unit DOES stay intact, and if WR\u2019s Cowling and McMillan play, my pick is Arizona<\/strong>.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be watching the newswire closely, which is a must this bowl season.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking for even more college football coverage? Wagertalk will be provided bowl game predictions and previews for each CFB bowl game – find it here each day<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n WagerTalk\u2019s college football live odds screen<\/a> features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Track college football moneylines, spreads and betting percentages for all bowl games and monitor your NCAAF<\/a> bowl games picks, including moneyline, spread bets, and totals betting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n **************************************************<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking for more free sports picks and sports betting tips?<\/span> Go beyond the anytime touchdown scorer picks!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure to bookmark all the above!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Arizona Wildcats vs Oklahoma Sooners Best Bets: Alamo Bowl Predictions & Analysis Football content contributor Ron Marmalefsky\u00a0makes a last stand and fires off some picks on The Alamo Bowl being played on December 28th, between Arizona and Oklahoma. What are his takeaways and things to watch when considering betting? Find top free picks and best […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":46,"featured_media":21838,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2044],"tags":[8,5239,7916,7915,8096,8097,1088,5152,5151,11,8098],"class_list":["post-25328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-college-football-bowl-games","tag-college-football","tag-college-football-best-bets","tag-college-football-bowl-game-betting-advice","tag-college-football-bowl-game-preview","tag-college-football-bowl-games","tag-college-football-bowl-picks","tag-college-football-picks","tag-free-college-football-picks","tag-free-ncaaf-picks","tag-ncaaf","tag-ncaaf-predictions"],"basic_html":"\n Football content contributor Ron Marmalefsky<\/a>\u00a0makes a last stand and fires off some picks on The Alamo Bowl<\/strong> being played on December 28th, between Arizona and Oklahoma<\/strong>. What are his takeaways and things to watch when considering betting? Find top free picks and best bets here for the 2023 Alamo Bowl. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Arizona is getting better, fast.\u00a0 In a four game stretch they lost to USC in overtime, walloped WSU, survived hosting Oregon State, and easily beat UCLA.\u00a0 Life is good.\u00a0 As they enter the Big 12, Oklahoma exits.\u00a0 Why does 10-2 feel like they weren\u2019t relevant nationally, and is that fair?\u00a0 This could be entertaining<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Find free college football best bets<\/a> and bowl game coverage<\/a> this postseason. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n We knew Arizona could move the ball offensively, but the defense improved by leaps and bounds over 2022.\u00a0 The PAC 12 was explosive in 2022 yet the Wildcats more than held their own.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Not only did the point defense improve, but so did the run defense and pass defense.\u00a0 After allowing 5.75 per carry (213 per game) and almost 70% through the air, Arizona\u2019s 2023 numbers were 3.7-118.5 yards per game and 60% allowed through the air.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s break down a couple of comparable games.\u00a0 Washington ran 26-116 and passed 30-40.\u00a0 Oregon State ran 29-131 and passed 18-33.\u00a0 Oklahoma is a high scoring team, with their 2nd<\/sup> worst performance being 24 points.\u00a0 This game will be on a fast track so let\u2019s see if the Wildcats can limit the Sooners to 27 here.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Offensively, Arizona never scored below 24 points.\u00a0 I like Oklahoma\u2019s pass defense but QB Fitita hit 73% for the season.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Two players are on my watch list for the Wildcats.\u00a0 RB Coleman has a toe injury.\u00a0 That must be monitored.\u00a0 WR Cowling is rumored to be deciding whether or not to play.\u00a0 Head Coach Jedd Fisch is on record as saying one or two players may opt-out.\u00a0 Keep an eye on all news from Arizona<\/strong>.\u00a0 The sack ratio was 31-21.\u00a0 The PK was 16-21.\u00a0 Arizona is noticeably deficient defending kick and punt returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n The Sooners had a \u201cmiracle\u201d win vs. Texas, but suffered a letdown thereafter, with a too close for comfort win vs. UCF (31-29), a loss at Kansas, and another loss at highly motivated Oklahoma State.\u00a0 Propelling them to 11-2 was a +11 turnover ratio, with a +13 interception differential.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Will any bowl game have their two starting QB\u2019s intact?\u00a0 QB Gabriel exits, so it remains to be seen if projected starting QB Jackson Arnold can limit turnovers.\u00a0 He saw limited action this season.\u00a0 Three RB\u2019s may miss this game, but freshman RB Sawchuk (610-5.8) is here and was already their best option.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n I haven\u2019t heard of any Sooner WR missing the game, so that\u2019s nice.\u00a0 The OL however will be without three starters and probably three backups.\u00a0 The OL allowed only 17 sacks, but Arizona is dangerous vs. the revamped OL and young QB.\u00a0 The other news is that coordinator Jeff Lebby is gone (Head Coach for Mississippi State).\u00a0 We might be looking at some offensive regression.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Oklahoma was better than expected defending the pass.\u00a0 Many opponents were held below expectations.\u00a0 Fifita will get his completions, but perhaps the damage can be limited.\u00a0 In a surprise, the Sooners could be at near full strength on this side of the ball.\u00a0 One area that was not good was defensive sacks (19).\u00a0 The 3rd<\/sup> down conversion ratio was very good.\u00a0 Kicking was average at 14-20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Can Arizona\u2019s pass rush get to the young Oklahoma QB?\u00a0 Who\u2019s healthy at RB for Arizona, and can the run game keep the Sooner\u2019s off balance?\u00a0 What are realistic expectations for an Oklahoma offense missing their coordinator and three starting OL.\u00a0 When do we find out who might be missing the game for the Wildcats?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n At full strength the Sooners would be -2, but the offense has a bunch of new parts and the very motivated Wildcats deserve to be favored (currently -2.5\/3).\u00a0 I\u2019m hopeful that the WR unit stays intact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n If the WR unit DOES stay intact, and if WR\u2019s Cowling and McMillan play, my pick is Arizona<\/strong>.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be watching the newswire closely, which is a must this bowl season.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Looking for even more college football coverage? Wagertalk will be provided bowl game predictions and previews for each CFB bowl game - find it here each day<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n WagerTalk\u2019s college football live odds screen<\/a> features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nNew Customers Get 15% Off ALL Premium Expert Bowl Game Picks – Get Started Now<\/a>!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\":shopping_trolley:\"](\"https:\/\/a.slack-edge.com\/production-standard-emoji-assets\/14.0\/google-medium\/1f6d2@2x.png\")
All FIRST TIME customers will receive 15% OFF anything<\/a> and everything in their cart on their first purchase! There is no cap or limit, including from daily to long-term, and the discount is automatic with no coupon code needed!<\/p>\n\n\n\nAlamo Bowl Predictions and Best Bets: Arizona Analysis <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Missing Players for Arizona… Keep an Eye Open<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Alamo Bowl Picks: Oklahoma Analysis Best Bets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"alamo](\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ou2.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAlamo Bowl Best Bets – The Keys to The Game: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Alamo Bowl – The Free Picks & Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Pick: Alamo Bowl Prediction!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
NCAAF Bowl Coverage: WagerTalk Has It All<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
WagerTalk’s Live Bowl Game Odds Screen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Arizona Wildcats vs Oklahoma Sooners Best Bets: Alamo Bowl Predictions & Analysis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
New Customers Get 15% Off ALL Premium Expert Bowl Game Picks - Get Started Now<\/a>!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
All FIRST TIME customers will receive 15% OFF anything<\/a> and everything in their cart on their first purchase! There is no cap or limit, including from daily to long-term, and the discount is automatic with no coupon code needed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nAlamo Bowl Predictions and Best Bets: Arizona Analysis <\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Missing Players for Arizona... Keep an Eye Open<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Alamo Bowl Picks: Oklahoma Analysis Best Bets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\nAlamo Bowl Best Bets - The Keys to The Game: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Alamo Bowl - The Free Picks & Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
The Pick: Alamo Bowl Prediction!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
NCAAF Bowl Coverage: WagerTalk Has It All<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
WagerTalk's Live Bowl Game Odds Screen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n