The Arizona Wildcats and the Oklahoma Sooners meet Thursday in Alamo Bowl college football action from the Alamodome. Arizona is riding a six-game win streak right now, most recently beating Arizona State to improve to 9-3 overall and end the regular season in the 3rd place in the Pac-12 standings. As for Oklahoma, they’re 10-2 overall this year. The Sooners have won three straight themselves, most recently over TCU. Let’s get into our Arizona vs. Oklahoma prediction. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats didn’t start out great this year, losing three of their first six games to Mississippi State, Washington and USC. Arizona has since won six straight however, and they’re averaging 34.0 points per game along the way. The Wildcats’ pass attack is generating 304.5 yards per game with a total of 34 touchdowns alongside 10 interceptions.
In their latest win over Arizona State, the Wildcats didn’t have too many issues. Arizona was up 38-7 by halftime and cruised to a blowout victory 59-23. QB Noah Fifita posted a whopping 527 yards with five scores and a pick. Tetairoa McMillan led the receivers with 11 catches for 266 yards and a touchdown, while Michael Wiley rushed for 66 yards and two scores.
Arizona Wildcats Team Facts
- Arizona has won each of its last six games.
- Arizona has covered the spread in each of its last seven games against AP-ranked teams.
- Arizona has lost the first half in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.
- Each of Arizona’s last four games as a favorite against AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Oklahoma Sooners
Over on the Sooners’ side, they managed to win their first seven straight games before taking consecutive losses to Kansas and Oklahoma State. Oklahoma would close out the regular season with three straight wins, though. The Sooners are averaging a nice 43.2 points per game this year. The pass is a heavy contributor with 321.8 yards per game, 32 touchdowns and six interceptions through the air.
The Sooners’ latest victory came in a high-flying matchup versus TCU. Oklahoma scored double-digit points in every quarter (and allowed points in every quarter as well) during a 69-45 result. Dillon Gabriel led the team with 400 pass yards, three scores and an interception, but Gavin Sawchuk did most of the rush work with 130 yards and three scores of his own.
Oklahoma Sooners Team Facts
- The team ranked 12th in the AP Poll has won 20 of its last 21 games.
- Oklahoma has covered the spread in each of its last seven games against AP-ranked teams at neutral venues.
- Oklahoma has won the first quarter in nine of its last 10 games against non-conference opponents.
- Oklahoma has won the first half in each of its last 13 games against non-conference opponents.
- Seven of Oklahoma’s last eight games against AP-ranked teams at neutral venues have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Oklahoma rank 3rd among FBS teams for points per game this season (43.2).
- The Oklahoma are one of only 14 FBS teams undefeated in home games this season ((6-0)).
- Arizona rank 23rd among FBS teams for points per game this season (34.3).
- Arizona rank 28th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (20.8).
ANDREW’S FREE ARIZONA VS OKLAHOMA PREDICTION
I’ll take a stab on Arizona in this one. You could make a case either way very easily, though. The Wildcats are coming off a nice game versus an overmatched Arizona State team, notching 619 total yards (527 passing) and 24 first downs in the blowout win. That makes 34 or more points in three straight games for Arizona, and 42 or more in each of the last two. If that kind of scoring continues here, we’ll have another high-flying game on the scoreboard.
As for Oklahoma, they’ve posted 31 or more points in each of their last three games, and 59 or more in two of those. The Sooners have been below 31 points just once in their last eight games (24 versus Oklahoma State) and should score well here also. I like this one to be a wild shootout with Arizona eking out the cover at the best odds available. It’ll be a fun matchup to watch.