The 2023 Alamo Bowl is taking place in San Antonio, Texas at the Alamodome. We have the matchup of the 9-3 Arizona Wildcats and the 10-2 Oklahoma Sooners. Arizona comes into this one winning six straight games. The Wildcats have appeared in 20 bowl games in their program’s history. They have a 9-10-1 record in those 20 games. Oklahoma comes into this one winning three straight games. The Sooners have appeared in 56 bowl games in their historic program’s history. They have a 31-24-1 record. Arizona is a 2.5 point favorite here with the over/under set at 59.5. Here is my preview for the 2023 Alamo Bowl. 

Arizona Wildcats

The Arizona Wildcats might be the most surprising team of the 2023 season. Offensively, the Wildcats average 34.3 points per game and average 463.6 total yards of offense per game as well. This offense took a huge step forward once they named Noah Fifita the starting quarterback. Fifita threw for 2,515 passing yards to go along with 23 passing touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Arizona’s top two receivers are playing in the bowl game which is great for Fifita. They have Jacob Cowling (82 receptions 687 receiving yards 11 touchdowns) and Tetairoa McMillan (80 receptions 1,242 receiving yards 10 touchdowns) as their two big playmakers. If the Wildcats want to produce offensively, they need to get these two going early on in this matchup.

Defensively, the Wildcats were average in 2023. Arizona allowed 20.8 points per game and gave up 358.2 total yards of offense. This defense is top 40 in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game as well. Arizona gave up 30+ points in four games in 2023. They went 1-3 in those four games. If the Wildcats can hold them under 30 points, they are a shoe-in to win this Alamo Bowl matchup.

Oklahoma Sooners

The Sooners had a good season in 2023 that they wished they finished with a Big 12 title. However, they are in a good position to get their 11th win of their fantastic season. Offensively, the Sooners average 43.2 points per game while averaging 510.4 total yards per game as well (6th in the nation). Starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel is transferring and it is officially the Jackson Arnold era. Arnold has their three leading receivers playing in this game which is beneficial for him. The two big targets are Drake Stoops (78 receptions 880 receiving yards 10 touchdowns) and Nic Anderson (31 receptions 725 receiving yards 9 touchdowns). I think Jackson Arnold has what it takes to be successful in college football. We should see the start of it in this bowl game. 

Defensively, the Sooners were better than they have been in years past. They allow 22.3 points per game while giving up 399.8 total yards of offense per game as well. The Sooners aren’t losing their defensive starters which is huge for them. Oklahoma allowed 30+ points in three games in 2023. They are 2-1 in those games. The Sooners don’t struggle, but the potential of a shootout with Arizona should be intriguing to say the least. 

Betting Trends

-Arizona is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games.

-The under is 11-5 in Arizona’s last 11 games.

-Oklahoma is 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games.

-Oklahoma is 5-0 straight up in their last 5 games against a Pac-12 opponent. 

The Don’s Best Bet

I have two plays for this Alamo Bowl showdown. First play is Oklahoma +2.5 -105 and over 59.5 -110 for one unit each. This game has shootout written all over it and I am beyond excited for it. I love Jackson Arnold and I think this is his coming out party. Look for the Sooners to show up in a big way offensively and for both offenses to put up at least 30 points each. Ride these two bets to the cash counter to enter the weekend right.