This was a transition year for the Oklahoma Sooners (6-6) as coach Lincoln Riley left for USC in the offseason taking a bevy of talent with him including Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. OU still got to 6-6 and made a bowl game for the 24th straight year but are close to double-digit underdogs in the Cheez-It Bowl against Florida State (9-3). The Seminoles have improved in all three seasons under coach Mike Norvell and now FSU looks for their first bowl win since the 2017 Independence Bowl.
Before Betting on the Cheez-It Bowl
Florida State won just eight games combined in the first two years under Norvell, so to go 9-3 this season and have a great chance at their first double digit winning season since 2016 has been a nice turnaround. FSU has momentum too, winning five straight to close out the year including against rivals Miami (45-3) and Florida (45-38) and now get to stay in-state at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel knows a thing or two about Orlando, throwing for 3,300+ yards with 54 total TDs in his first two seasons at Central Florida before getting hurt in the 2021/22 season. Gabriel hasn’t been bad this year (2,925 yards, 24 TDs, 6 INTs) but it’s a tough job taking over for the player who would go on to win the Heisman.
Oklahoma played well offensively this year, but they were handcuffed by one of the worst defenses in the country that allowed that allowed 450.5 yards/game. That has to have Florida State QB Jordan Travis licking his chops after throwing for 2,796 yards with 22 TDs to just 4 INTs this year. FSU can beat you on the ground too, with Trey Benson just 35 yards away from 1,000 on the season.
Oklahoma vs Florida State NCAAF Offshore Betting Odds
| Offshore Sportsbook | Moneyline | Total | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | Oklahoma (3.80) | FSU (1.28) | 65 | Oklahoma +9.5 (1.95) | FSU -9.5 (1.87) |
| Bovada | Oklahoma (3.75) | FSU (1.28) | 65 | Oklahoma +10 (1.87) | FSU -9.5 (1.95) |
| BetUS | Oklahoma (3.80) | FSU (1.29) | 65 | Oklahoma +9.5 (1.95) | FSU -9.5 (1.87) |
| SportsBetting.ag | Oklahoma (3.80) | FSU (1.28) | 65 | Oklahoma +9.5 (1.95) | FSU -9.5 (1.87) |
| Pinnacle | Oklahoma (3.94) | FSU (1.26) | 65.5 | Oklahoma +10 (1.86) | FSU -10 (2.01) |
| MyBookie | Oklahoma (3.80) | FSU (1.27) | 66 | Oklahoma +10 (1.91) | FSU -10 (1.91) |
Cheez-It Bowl Prediction & Pick
Oklahoma has a goal to play for championships every season – or at the very least an NY6 Bowl. That was out the window this year with first year head coach Brent Venables, but you still have to think OU considers the Cheez-It Bowl beneath them. That’s evidenced by RB Eric Gray and two starting offensive tackles opting out of this game, while FSU is pretty much full bore including NFL prospects Jared Verse and Jammie Robinson. FSU big.
Pick: Florida State -9.5
