Alabama, Oklahoma Square Off in Sugar Bowl Tonight

After its stunning loss to Auburn, Alabama fell well short of playing for its third consecutive national title. However, they still get to play on a huge stage tonight as they take on the Oklahoma Sooners in the Sugar Bowl. The Crimson Tide are big 17-point favorites over the Sooners, who squeaked into the BCS after a last-second win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys at the end of the year.

“We’re fired up playing Oklahoma,” Alabama defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan said. “It’s not for a national championship or anything, but we’re going to go into it like it is. We’re going to try to finish this season as strong as possible.”

“(Saban told us) we shouldn’t let this loss bring us down to the point where we just keep hang-dogging and keep our heads down going into the game and lose (the Sugar Bowl), too,” Alabama left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio said.

Even though the Sooners are big underdogs, they respect their opponents; the Sooners and the Tide are two of the most historic programs in college football, so the match promises to be a big deal no matter the final outcome.

“I think AJ McCarron is the best player in the country, I really do,” Sooners coach Bob Stoops said Dec. 8. “If I had a vote, that’s who I’d vote for. On and on, just fundamental, sound, great players, force great schemes. … I appreciate good football, and (the Crimson Tide) play it, and they play it the right way.”

All bowl game trends and odds come courtesy of OddsShark.com.

Sugar Bowl, January 2: Oklahoma Sooners vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama Crimson Tide: -17 Point Favorites

Oklahoma Sooners Trends

• Oklahoma is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
• Oklahoma is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma’s last 6 games

Alabama Crimson Tide Trends

• Alabama is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
• Alabama is 15-1 SU in its last 16 games

 

Cotton Bowl, January 3: Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Missouri Tigers

Oklahoma State Cowboys: -1.5 Point Favorites

Oklahoma State Cowboys Trends

• Oklahoma State is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
• Oklahoma State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
• Oklahoma State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Missouri
• Oklahoma State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Missouri

Missouri Tigers Trends

• Missouri is 11-2 ATS in its last 13 games
• Missouri is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Missouri’s last 6 games
• Missouri is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma State
• Missouri is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma State

Orange Bowl, January 3: Clemson Tigers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State Buckeyes: -3 Point Favorites

Clemson Tigers Trends

• Clemson is 18-3 SU in its last 21 games
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Clemson’s last 6 games

Ohio State Buckeyes Trends

• Ohio State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
• Ohio State is 24-1 SU in its last 25 games
• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Ohio State’s last 8 gamesC