Alamo Bowl 2021: Oregon vs. Oklahoma

The 2021 Alamo Bowl features an exciting matchup between the Oregon Ducks and Oklahoma Sooners. To date, BetMGM’s NCAAF odds have the Sooners as 4.5-point favorites.

Who will cover the spread? And what are the best bets for the Alamo Bowl? Here are three bets to look at.

Alamo Bowl Game Information

Before we go over the best bets, here is some key information about this year’s Alamo Bowl:

• Date: Wednesday, Dec. 29th
• Time: 9:15 P.M. EST
• Venue: Alamodome in San Antonio, TX
• Participants: Oregon and Oklahoma

Over 61.5

The first bet that I like in this bowl game is the over. One of the biggest reasons I am playing the over here is that both teams will be missing key defensive players.

For Oregon, defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and cornerback Mykael Wright have elected to skip the Alamo Bowl and declare for the NFL draft. Thibodeaux had seven sacks and two forced fumbles on the season, while Wright had 65 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception.

As for Oklahoma, they are also losing a few key starters on defense because they are heading for the NFL draft. The most notable player is linebacker Brian Asamoah. He was the team’s leading tackler with 80 on the season.

On top of the losses from each defense, both of these offenses average a combined 69 points per game. Oklahoma’s offense, in particular, ranks among the top 10 offenses in FBS football with 38.4 points per game. Oklahoma also has the 30th-ranked passing offense, averaging 265.2 yards per game. Considering that Oregon’s pass defense allows 241.4 yards per game (87th in FBS), I can see Oklahoma scoring a lot of points in this game.

Oregon’s passing game only averages 214.8 points per game, which is 85th, but Oklahoma’s pass defense gives up an average of 258.1 yards per game, which ranks 98th. So I can see both teams moving the ball through the air.

Combined with the missing players and talented offenses, I like the opportunity for this game to go over the projected point total.

Oklahoma (-4.5)

I like Oklahoma to cover in this game because I think it has the superior offense. The team is 10th in the country in points per game with 38.4, while Oregon ranks 45th in that category with 31.4.

As for the defenses — in normal circumstances, they are roughly equal. Oklahoma ranks 56th in points allowed, while Oregon ranks 60th. However, as has already been discussed, both teams will be missing players.

For the Sooners, the emergence of freshman QB Caleb Williams is what I think will be the difference in this game. Williams has 1,670 passing yards, 18 touchdown passes and just four interceptions since he took over the starting job.

I think Oklahoma’s offense will play a significant role in this game, but its run defense will help it pull away from Oregon. The Ducks are 23rd in running yards per game (203.2), but the Sooners are 23rd in rushing yards allowed per game (123.8). Oklahoma can slow Oregon down enough to cover the spread.

Oklahoma Money Line and Over 60.5 (+175)

If you are looking for a bet with some favorable odds, perhaps you should consider this parlay. It would protect you in a close game, since Oklahoma only has to win the game outright.

Plus, I think the offensive talent and the key defensive players skipping the game will push this game over.

Make Your Predictions

Do you agree with these Alamo Bowl predictions? Or do you think there are better bets on the table?

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