The Cheez-It Bowl features a power five conference showdown. At the beginning of the season, I thought it would have been an entertaining game. Now that I have seen the season play out, it doesn’t seem as entertaining as I thought. Not because I think both teams aren’t good. One team is good and the other one was average this season. With the Big 12 powerhouse Oklahoma Sooners going up against the ACC powerhouse Florida State Seminoles. Oklahoma has lost three out of their last four games coming into this one. While Florida State has won five straight games. The Seminoles are a 9.5 point favorite with the over/under set at 65.5. With that being said here is my betting preview for the Cheez-It Bowl.
Oklahoma Sooners
The Oklahoma Sooners had a serious down season in Brent Venables’ first year. Record wise this team under achieved, but they put up good offensive numbers. They averaged 32.8 points per game to go along with 482.4 total yards of offense (24th). They have a very balanced game passing and running the football. However, their running game is in the top 25 in the nation in rushing yards per game (216.6). The Sooners had a 1,000 yard rusher and a 1,000 yard receiver this season. Their 1,000 yard rusher Eric Gray (1,364 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns) is opting out to head to the NFL Draft.
So with their star running back out we have to focus on the play of Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel threw for 2,925 yards to go along with 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. His leading receiver Marvin Mims who is playing in the bowl game has been a threat all season long. Mims has 52 recpetions to go along with 1,006 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. So with these two as a majority part of the offense, it will let freshman running back Jovante Barnes potentially have his breaking out party. Barnes showed flashes of potential this year and he could be a very good long term running back for the Sooners. Right now he will have to focus on being able to create for this Sooners offense against the Seminoles defense.
Defensively, the Sooners have been horrible. They allow nearly 30 points per game and give up on average 467.1 total yards of offense per game. Oklahoma has one win this season in a game where they give up more than 20 points in a game. That is the number that head coach Brent Venables should have circled on the board as the number that they need to bring the Cheez-It bowl trophy back to Norman.
Florida State Seminoles
The Florida State Seminoles came back in a big way in 2022. They won 9 games and Mike Norvell just might have this program back on the map. Florida State averages 36.2 points per game (16th) and averages 486.2 total yards of offense per game (21st). The Seminoles are led by quarterback Jordan Travis. Travis threw for 2,796 passing yards this season to go along with 22 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He also added 367 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. Jordan Travis is the fourth quarterback in Florida State’s history to have 3,000 total yards and 30 touchdowns in a season. The other three were Heisman Trophy winners (Charlie Ward, Chris Weinke, Jameis Winston).
Besides Travis a bright spot for this Seminoles offense is running back Trey Benson. Benson rushed for 965 yards on 6.8 yards per carry and 9 rushing touchdowns. With Benson it helps create opportunities for Travis and this Seminoles offense to do a variety of things. Look for this Seminoles offense to be rolling over a bad Oklahoma State defense.
Defensively, the Seminoles have been fantastic in 2022. They allow just under 20 points per game. They are 6th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (158.9) and they keep opponents just under 325 total yards of offense per game as well. The Seminoles need to key in on three players in order to shut down this Sooners offense. Look for Florida State to control the pace and give Oklahoma no breathing room offensively.
Betting Trends
-Sooners are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 bowl games.
-Over is 4-1 in Sooners last 5 bowl games.
-Seminoles are 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 bowl games.
-Over is 4-1 in Seminoles last 5 bowl games.
The Don’s Cheez-It Bowl Best Bet
My official play in this one is under 65.5. I think the Sooners offense is going to struggle in this one. Florida State controls the tempo and the time of possession the whole way through. The lean is Florida State -9.5. The line makes you want to take the Sooners and the points, however the Seminoles are going to roll and get up early. This has a 34-17 type of feel to it. Lock in the under and enjoy some cheez-its during the Cheez-It bowl.