The Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl is finally a “go” in 2022. After COVID concerns from Boise State led to the game’s cancelation in 2021, it’s the Ohio Bobcats taking on the Wyoming Cowboys in the inaugural edition. Ohio is coming off of a Mid-American Championship loss to Toledo. Meanwhile, Wyoming has lost two straight heading into this bowl matchup. Ohio is a 2.5-point favorite with the total set at 41.
Ohio Bobcats
The Ohio Bobcats rolled through the MAC this season, finishing 7-1 in conference play. However, the Bobcats lost starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke at the tail-end of the regular season to a devastating knee injury. Backup C.J. Harris started the team’s final two games, managing 393 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception. In Rourke’s absence, Ohio asked redshirt freshman Sieh Bangura to become a bell-cow back on offense. Bangura rushed for 940 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 4.8 yards per carry throughout the season.
Defensively, the Bobcats give up 28.4 points per game. Ohio’s pass defense struggles, giving up massive yards through the air – 293.7 per game – allowing 454.9 total yards of offense per game. If Ohio wants to compete with Wyoming, it’ll require a miraculous defensive effort. The Bobcats also allow more than 140 yards on the ground per game, so a matchup against a top-70 rushing attack hardly bodes well for Ohio.
Wyoming Cowboys
The Wyoming Cowboys need mistake-free football from quarterback Andrew Peasley on Friday. Peasley threw for 1,388 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions in 2022. The Cowboys’ offense struggled all year long, averaging just 20.8 points per game. The majority of its offense comes from the ground attack, but it takes a major hit for the postseason with star running back Titus Swen heading to the NFL Draft. Now the only one with experience that is available to run the football is Peasley. The Cowboys’ No. 2 and No. 3 backs also suffered season-ending injuries during the season. Wyoming needs a heroic game from an unknown back against a porous Bobcats defense.
Defensively, the Cowboys allow 23.4 points and 386.1 total yards of offense per game. However, the Cowboys are 5-0 when they allow 20 points or fewer in a game.
Betting Trends
- The Bobcats are 5-1 ATS in its last 6 December games.
- The under is 5-2-1 in Ohio’s last 8 bowl games.
- The Cowboys are 4-0 ATS in its last 4 bowl games.
- The over is 5-1 in the Cowboys’ last 6 bowl games.
The Don’s Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl Best Bet
My official play in this one is Ohio -2.5. I think the Bobcats have enough to win this game by a field goal. This has all the makings of an ugly game thanks to missing starters on each phase for both teams. My lean is the under. I think this is a 17-14 type game with Ohio coming out on top. Lock in the Ohio Bobcats -2.5 to get the job done tonight.
