The Florida Gators and the Oklahoma Sooners will square off in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on December 30, bringing two of the more high-octane offenses among the Power 5 conferences to the field. This will only be the second meeting between the two teams; Florida beat Oklahoma in the BCS Championship after the 2008 season. Which team will prevail on Wednesday?
Let’s take a look at your best college football betting choice for this showdown.
NCAAF: Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (December 30)
Oklahoma vs Florida
When: Wednesday, December 30, 2020, 8:00 pm ET
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
TV: ESPN
Radio: No National Radio
Live Stream: ESPN+
NCAAF Odds: Florida -3
Why should you bet on the Gators?
Florida has a pass-first offense, led by quarterback Kyle Trask, a finalist for the Heisman Trophy who threw for 375 yards per game to lead the nation. His passer rating, 186.65, is fifth in the nation. The team averages 70 offensive plays per game, with 40 coming through the passing game. However, Florida will enter the game without its four primary pass targets. Jacob Copeland is out with COVID-19, and tight end Kyle Pitts and wideouts Trevon Grimes and Kadarius Toney are all opting out of the bowl in order to prep for the upcoming NFL draft. However, Florida won’t have to deal with Oklahoma cornerback Tre Brown, who is also opting out ahead of the draft.
Oklahoma’s offense took a small step back this year, dropping from 6.0 yards per rush to 4.1 and from 10.9 yards per pass attempt to 9.5. Florida’s defense may be able to get some stops, here and there, but the case for the Gators really has to do with their offense. Florida hung 44 points on Georgia in an upset win and scored 46 against Alabama in the SEC Championship, but they just could not get stops in a game that the Gators ended up losing.
Why should you put your money on the Sooners?
Oklahoma’s defense has been built to frustrate pass-heavy offenses, which represents a major change over the last few years. That played a big role in the Sooners’ win over Oklahoma State in the Bedlam rivalry game, as well as its win over Texas Tech. It will be interesting to see how that unit thrives against the SEC East champs, as Texas was able to exploit some weaknesses late in their game with Oklahoma earlier this season.
The Sooners should be able to throw the ball down the field against the Gators, who ranked 78th in the nation in yards permitted per pass attempt (7.6) and 93rd in opponent passer rating (145.6). Spencer Rattler will have all of his wide receiver options at his disposal for the game. Also, tailback Rhamondre Stevenson anchored a solid running game for the Sooners, and if the Gators struggle to stop the run as well, Oklahoma could turn this into a track meet. If you look at the Gators’ inability to get stops against LSU in what was an extremely disappointing loss that may have cost the Gators a slot in the College Football Playoff, you see opportunities for the Sooners.
Final Score and Prediction
Florida spent most of the season pushing hard for a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, losing to LSU and then to Alabama in the SEC Championship ruined those dreams. Now the Gators are facing the Big 12 champions without their top four wide receivers. The Gators should be able to move the ball, but Oklahoma comes in looking to take down an SEC team and refute some of the criticism that the Big 12 has taken this season. I predict a final score of Oklahoma 41, Florida 30.
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