Two defensive juggernauts are going head-to-head in Saturday's Fiesta Bowl as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Oklahoma State Cowboys are set to meet for the first time in their schools' histories.
| Pointspread | -1 -110 |
| Moneyline | -120 |
| Over / Under | o +45 |
34%
66%
| Pointspread | +1 -110 |
| Moneyline | +100 |
| Over / Under | u +45 |
34%
66%
It’s straight into the fire for Notre Dame’s new head coach Marcus Freeman, who will lead the fifth ranked Fighting Irish against No. 9 Oklahoma State in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day. Freeman takes over from Brian Kelly after the former Notre Dame head coach left the team to take over the higher profile job at LSU.
The Fighting Irish come in as 2.5-point favourites to win on the college football odds, with a total of 45.5.
PlayStation Fiesta Bowl Betting Analysis
Don’t sleep on the Cowboys in this game. Oklahoma State is 3-0 against the spread and 2-1 straight up as an underdog this season and all three of those games had a single digit spread. Head coach Mike Gundy has steered the team to a 10-5 SU record in bowl games during his tenure. The team finished the season with an 11-2 record and have paid off nicely for bettors. The Cowboys went 9-1-1 ATS over their last 11 games and 11-1-1 in their last 13 games versus opponents with a winning straight up record. The total went Under in six of Oklahoma State’s last nine games.
Notre Dame was also a profitable pick for bettors this season. The Irish were 9-3 ATS, winning and covering in each of their last seven games. The total went Under in four of their last six games. Despite winning their last 20 games as a favourite, keep in mind they’re just 1-9 SU in January games. There’s also some desperation for this program. Notre Dame went 0-4 in BCS bowls from 1998-2013 and 0-3 in New Year’s Day Six Bowls in the College Football era. They’re ready for a win.
This will be the first-ever meeting between these teams.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
When Oklahoma State takes the field on Saturday, they’ll also be down a key staff member. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles jumped to Ohio State earlier this month and Gundy isn’t naming a replacement before the Fiesta Bowl. Still, this is one of the best defences in college football. The Cowboys had a top-10 scoring defence this year and led the nation in sacks. They finished third in yards allowed per game, fourth in yards allowed per play, fifth against the run and 10th against the pass. Five different Oklahoma State players had at least 10 tackles for loss this season and defensive ends Brock Martin and Collin Oliver combined for 18.5 sacks.
The major concern for the Cowboys is the offence. Quarterback Spencer Sanders threw six interceptions in his last two games, including four during Oklahoma State’s loss to Baylor in the Big 12 championship. Sanders finished the year with subpar numbers, throwing for 2,468 yards and 16 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He added another 543 yards and six TDs on the ground.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
This is a huge moment for Freeman following his promotion from defensive coordinator to head coach. Unfortunately for Freeman, he’ll have a gaping hole at running back as Kyren Williams has opted out of the Fiesta Bowl to declare for the NFL draft. Williams started Notre Dame’s last 24 games and helped the team pick up at least 150 rushing yards in each of the last seven games. Chris Tyree (204 yards, 1 TD) and Logan Diggs (201 yards, 3 TD) will take over running the ball. Quarterback Jack Coan has shown significant improvement since November, stringing together a four-game stretch that saw him complete 76 per cent of his passes with eight TDs and two INTs.
Defensively, the Fighting Irish ranked outside of the top 25 in the nation in yards allowed, but they allowed the fourth-lowest TD percentage in the red zone and finished 10th in points allowed. They’ve also given up just 23 combined points over their last four games.
College Football Prediction: Who Will Win Oklahoma State vs. Notre Dame?
-
COWBOYS
33 -
FIGHTING IRISH
31
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 6 Dec 4:18am | OKST | -2 -110 | O +45.5 -110 |
| Closing 1 Jan 5:45pm | OKST | -1 -110 | O +45.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Cowboys Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
11 |
| Rushing |
1134 |
| Passing |
2468 |
| Receiving |
70 |
| Sacks |
10.5 |
| Interceptions |
3 |
| Touchdowns |
17 |
| Rushing |
1002 |
| Passing |
2641 |
| Receiving |
64 |
| Sacks |
9 |
| Interceptions |
3 |
| Touchdowns |
3 |
| Rushing |
125 |
| Passing |
371 |
| Receiving |
10 |
| Sacks |
2 |
| Interceptions |
1 |
| Touchdowns |
2 |
| Rushing |
29 |
| Passing |
509 |
| Receiving |
8 |
| Sacks |
1 |
| Interceptions |
0 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Fighting Irish Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
11 |
| Rushing |
1134 |
| Passing |
2468 |
| Receiving |
70 |
| Sacks |
10.5 |
| Interceptions |
3 |
| Touchdowns |
17 |
| Rushing |
1002 |
| Passing |
2641 |
| Receiving |
64 |
| Sacks |
9 |
| Interceptions |
3 |
| Touchdowns |
3 |
| Rushing |
125 |
| Passing |
371 |
| Receiving |
10 |
| Sacks |
2 |
| Interceptions |
1 |
| Touchdowns |
2 |
| Rushing |
29 |
| Passing |
509 |
| Receiving |
8 |
| Sacks |
1 |
| Interceptions |
0 |
Injuries
LD Brown (RB)
Jaylen Warren (RB)
Jaylen Warren (RB)
Brennan Presley (WR)
Braden Cassity (TE)
Jaden Bray (WR)
Bryson Green (WR)
Langston Anderson (WR)
Logan Carter (WR)
Adam Martin (LB)
Aidan Keanaaina (DL)
Kyren Williams (RB)
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (DL)
Drew White (LB)
Avery Davis (WR)
Braden Lenzy (WR)
Braden Lenzy (WR)
Blake Fisher (OL)
Kyle Hamilton (S)
Tyler Buchner (QB)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LD Brown (RB) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 01 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Brown is dealing with an unknown issue, and it remains to be seen if he will face Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. |
|||||
| Jaylen Warren (RB) | Prob Sat | Undisclosed - 28 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Warren is expected to suit up for the Fiesta Bowl versus Notre Dame despite an unspecified injury. |
|||||
| Jaylen Warren (RB) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 04 / 12 / 21 | 0-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Warren is managing an ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will be active for the Big 12 championship game versus Baylor. |
|||||
| Brennan Presley (WR) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 24 / 11 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Presley is dealing with an unknown issue, and it is unclear if he will face Oklahoma on Saturday. |
|||||
| Braden Cassity (TE) | Ques Sat | Leg - 06 / 11 / 21 | 4-1 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Cassity is nursing a right lower leg injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play in the Big 12 championship game against Baylor. |
|||||
| Jaden Bray (WR) | Prob Sat | Undisclosed - 18 / 10 / 21 | 6-1 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Bray is managing an unspecified issue, but it is not expected to affect his status for Saturday's showdown with Iowa State. |
|||||
| Bryson Green (WR) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 18 / 10 / 21 | 6-1 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Green is bothered by an injury to an unlisted location, and it is unclear if he will play against Iowa State on Saturday. |
|||||
| Langston Anderson (WR) | Out indefinitely | Undisclosed - 16 / 10 / 21 | 7-1 | 3-6 | + - |
|
Anderson has been out of the lineup due to an unspecified injury, and a timeline for his return it has yet to be established. |
|||||
| Logan Carter (WR) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 16 / 10 / 21 | 7-1 | 3-6 | + - |
|
Carter is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unknown if he will return to take on Iowa State on Saturday. |
|||||
| Adam Martin (LB) | Ques Sat | Arm - 16 / 10 / 21 | 7-1 | 3-6 | + - |
|
Martin missed the last game due to an arm injury, and it is unclear if he will return to take on Kansas on Saturday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aidan Keanaaina (DL) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 19 / 03 / 22 | 0-0 | 0-0 | + - |
|
Keanaaina suffered a torn ACL and there is no timetable for return. |
|||||
| Kyren Williams (RB) | Ques Sat | Personal - 10 / 12 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Williams has declared for the 2022 NFL Draft and will not be available for the Fiesta Bowl versus Oklahoma State. |
|||||
| Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (DL) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 18 / 11 / 21 | 3-0 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Tagovailoa-Amosa missed the previous contest with an unspecified ailment, and it is undetermined if he will partake in Saturday's game versus Georgia Tech. |
|||||
| Drew White (LB) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 18 / 11 / 21 | 3-0 | 1-2 | + - |
|
White sat out the last game with an undefined issue, and it is uncertain if he will take on Georgia Tech on Saturday. |
|||||
| Avery Davis (WR) | out for season | Knee - 06 / 11 / 21 | 5-0 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Davis will miss the remainder of the 2021 season due to a torn ACL. |
|||||
| Braden Lenzy (WR) | Ques Sat | Upper Body - 02 / 11 / 21 | 5-0 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Lenzy is dealing with an upper-body injury, and it is undetermined if he will face Navy on Saturday. |
|||||
| Braden Lenzy (WR) | Out Sat | Upper Body - 30 / 10 / 21 | 6-0 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Lenzy will not play against North Carolina on Saturday due to an upper-body injury. |
|||||
| Blake Fisher (OL) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 29 / 10 / 21 | 6-0 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Fisher is bothered by a knee injury, and a date for his return has yet to be established. |
|||||
| Kyle Hamilton (S) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 23 / 10 / 21 | 7-0 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Hamilton is out of the lineup due to a knee injury, and he will miss an extended period. |
|||||
| Tyler Buchner (QB) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 22 / 10 / 21 | 7-0 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Buchner is expected to partake in Saturday's game versus USC despite an ankle injury. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 6 Dec 4:18am OKST -2 -110 O +45.5 -110 Closing 1 Jan 5:45pm OKST -1 -110 O +45.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Cowboys Team Leaders
Touchdowns 11
Rushing 1134
Passing 2468
Receiving 70
Sacks 10.5
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 17
Rushing 1002
Passing 2641
Receiving 64
Sacks 9
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 3
Rushing 125
Passing 371
Receiving 10
Sacks 2
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns 2
Rushing 29
Passing 509
Receiving 8
Sacks 1
Interceptions 0
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Fighting Irish Team Leaders
Touchdowns 11
Rushing 1134
Passing 2468
Receiving 70
Sacks 10.5
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 17
Rushing 1002
Passing 2641
Receiving 64
Sacks 9
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 3
Rushing 125
Passing 371
Receiving 10
Sacks 2
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns 2
Rushing 29
Passing 509
Receiving 8
Sacks 1
Interceptions 0
-
Injuries
LD Brown (RB)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 01 / 01 / 22Jaylen Warren (RB)
Prob Sat Undisclosed - 28 / 12 / 21Jaylen Warren (RB)
Ques Sat Ankle - 04 / 12 / 21Brennan Presley (WR)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 24 / 11 / 21Braden Cassity (TE)
Ques Sat Leg - 06 / 11 / 21Jaden Bray (WR)
Prob Sat Undisclosed - 18 / 10 / 21Bryson Green (WR)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 18 / 10 / 21Langston Anderson (WR)
Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 16 / 10 / 21Logan Carter (WR)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 16 / 10 / 21Adam Martin (LB)
Ques Sat Arm - 16 / 10 / 21Aidan Keanaaina (DL)
Out indefinitely Knee - 19 / 03 / 22Kyren Williams (RB)
Ques Sat Personal - 10 / 12 / 21Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (DL)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 18 / 11 / 21Drew White (LB)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 18 / 11 / 21Avery Davis (WR)
out for season Knee - 06 / 11 / 21Braden Lenzy (WR)
Ques Sat Upper Body - 02 / 11 / 21Braden Lenzy (WR)
Out Sat Upper Body - 30 / 10 / 21Blake Fisher (OL)
Out indefinitely Knee - 29 / 10 / 21Kyle Hamilton (S)
Out indefinitely Knee - 23 / 10 / 21Tyler Buchner (QB)
Prob Sat Ankle - 22 / 10 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes LD Brown (RB) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 01 / 01 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Brown is dealing with an unknown issue, and it remains to be seen if he will face Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.
Jaylen Warren (RB) Prob Sat Undisclosed - 28 / 12 / 21 0-1 0-1 + - Warren is expected to suit up for the Fiesta Bowl versus Notre Dame despite an unspecified injury.
Jaylen Warren (RB) Ques Sat Ankle - 04 / 12 / 21 0-1 1-1 + - Warren is managing an ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will be active for the Big 12 championship game versus Baylor.
Brennan Presley (WR) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 24 / 11 / 21 1-1 1-2 + - Presley is dealing with an unknown issue, and it is unclear if he will face Oklahoma on Saturday.
Braden Cassity (TE) Ques Sat Leg - 06 / 11 / 21 4-1 3-3 + - Cassity is nursing a right lower leg injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play in the Big 12 championship game against Baylor.
Jaden Bray (WR) Prob Sat Undisclosed - 18 / 10 / 21 6-1 3-5 + - Bray is managing an unspecified issue, but it is not expected to affect his status for Saturday's showdown with Iowa State.
Bryson Green (WR) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 18 / 10 / 21 6-1 3-5 + - Green is bothered by an injury to an unlisted location, and it is unclear if he will play against Iowa State on Saturday.
Langston Anderson (WR) Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 16 / 10 / 21 7-1 3-6 + - Anderson has been out of the lineup due to an unspecified injury, and a timeline for his return it has yet to be established.
Logan Carter (WR) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 16 / 10 / 21 7-1 3-6 + - Carter is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unknown if he will return to take on Iowa State on Saturday.
Adam Martin (LB) Ques Sat Arm - 16 / 10 / 21 7-1 3-6 + - Martin missed the last game due to an arm injury, and it is unclear if he will return to take on Kansas on Saturday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Aidan Keanaaina (DL) Out indefinitely Knee - 19 / 03 / 22 0-0 0-0 + - Keanaaina suffered a torn ACL and there is no timetable for return.
Kyren Williams (RB) Ques Sat Personal - 10 / 12 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Williams has declared for the 2022 NFL Draft and will not be available for the Fiesta Bowl versus Oklahoma State.
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (DL) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 18 / 11 / 21 3-0 1-2 + - Tagovailoa-Amosa missed the previous contest with an unspecified ailment, and it is undetermined if he will partake in Saturday's game versus Georgia Tech.
Drew White (LB) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 18 / 11 / 21 3-0 1-2 + - White sat out the last game with an undefined issue, and it is uncertain if he will take on Georgia Tech on Saturday.
Avery Davis (WR) out for season Knee - 06 / 11 / 21 5-0 2-3 + - Davis will miss the remainder of the 2021 season due to a torn ACL.
Braden Lenzy (WR) Ques Sat Upper Body - 02 / 11 / 21 5-0 2-3 + - Lenzy is dealing with an upper-body injury, and it is undetermined if he will face Navy on Saturday.
Braden Lenzy (WR) Out Sat Upper Body - 30 / 10 / 21 6-0 2-4 + - Lenzy will not play against North Carolina on Saturday due to an upper-body injury.
Blake Fisher (OL) Out indefinitely Knee - 29 / 10 / 21 6-0 2-4 + - Fisher is bothered by a knee injury, and a date for his return has yet to be established.
Kyle Hamilton (S) Out indefinitely Knee - 23 / 10 / 21 7-0 3-4 + - Hamilton is out of the lineup due to a knee injury, and he will miss an extended period.
Tyler Buchner (QB) Prob Sat Ankle - 22 / 10 / 21 7-0 3-4 + - Buchner is expected to partake in Saturday's game versus USC despite an ankle injury.