The 2023 Sun Bowl is taking place in El Paso, Texas. We have the matchup of the 8-4 Oregon State Beavers and the 9-3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Oregon State comes into this one with two consecutive losses. The Beavers have made 17 bowl games in their program’s history. They have a 10-7 record in those 17 bowl games. Notre Dame comes into this one winning their last two games. The Fighting Irish have made 41 bowl games in their program’s history. They have a 20-21 record in those 41 bowl games. Notre Dame is a 6.5 point favorite with the over/under set at 41.5. Here is the preview of the 2023 Sun Bowl.
Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State put together a good season in 2023. Head coach Jonathan Smith left for Michigan State and they have a lot of coaching changes happening. Offensively, the Beavers average 33.8 points per game to go along with 435.1 total yards of offense. Starting quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei entered the transfer portal as well as his backup quarterback Aidan Chiles. They will start Ben Gulbarnson who started the final eight games for the Beavers in 2022. He put together a good stretch last season and should help Oregon State feel confident offensively here. Their leading rusher Damien Martinez is out for the bowl game after being arrested. Gulbarnson has his number one wideout in Silas Bolden (51 receptions 718 receiving yards 5 touchdowns) available for the bowl game. Look for Oregon State to rely on Gulbarnson’s experience in this one.
Defensively, the Beavers put together a good 2023 season. They allowed 21.3 points per game to go along with giving up 362.1 total yards of offense per game. The Beavers will be without three of their defensive starters, including their leading tackler in linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold. Oregon State gave up 30+ points in three games in 2023 and they put together a 1-2 record in those games. I think the Beavers defense is good and that they can contain this short-manned Notre Dame offense.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame put together a good year in the second year of the Marcus Freeman era. Offensively, they average 39.1 points per game (8th in the nation) and 438.1 total yards. The Irish had a good 1-2 punch in quarterback Sam Hartman and running back Audric Estime. Both of them won’t play in this bowl game. They will also be without two starting lineman and all three of their top receivers. This offense is going to be thin and there is not a lot of experience for Marcus Freeman’s offense in this bowl game.
Defensively, the Irish were solid in 2023. They allowed 16.6 points per game and gave up 299.6 total yards of offense. Notre Dame was also really good against the pass as they allowed 154.2 passing yards per game (12th in the nation). The Irish will be without two of their starting corners in this bowl matchup. Notre Dame gave up 30+ points in two games this season and they lost both of those games. This defensive group has been great this season and I think they can hold this Oregon State offense to under 30 points and even have a shot to hold them under 20 in my honest opinion.
Betting Trends
-Oregon State is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
-The under is 4-1 in Oregon State’s last 5 games.
-The over is 5-0 in Notre Dame’s last 5 games.
-Notre Dame is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
The Don’s Best Bet
I have one play here in this Sun Bowl matchup. My official play is under 41.5 -110 for one unit. Both of these offenses are going to struggle here. Oregon State has the experience when it comes to the battle of the starting quarterbacks. However, not a ton of points will score due to both defenses playing really well. This under looks like it is an easy winner. Ride the under to the cash counter in this top 25 showdown at the Sun Bowl.
