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2020 Cotton Bowl: Florida Gators vs. Oklahoma Sooners

This year’s Cotton Bowl looks to be a high-scoring affair as the No. 7 Florida Gators (8-3) will take on the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners (8-2). This contest will be played at the neutral site of AT&T Stadium, and kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 P.M. Eastern.

While the Gators are 8-3, they come into this one on a two-game losing skid. They lost 37-34 to unranked LSU back on December 12 and lost in the SEC Championship game 52-46 to No. 1 Alabama. While they certainly have the offense to run with Oklahoma, it is the defense that has to be a concern for head coach Dan Mullen.

Florida is trying to snap their losing streak, but the Sooners are trying to keep their winning streak going. Including their 27-21 win over No. 10 Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship, Oklahoma has won seven straight coming into this one. The Sooners’ defense has been especially impressive over their last four games, allowing an average of just over nine points per game.

Oklahoma comes in as the favorites in this one. They are -168 to win while Florida’s moneyline sits at +136. The spread features the Gators +3.5 while the over/under for total points is 69.5.

By The Numbers

In terms of scoring, these have been two of the best teams in the nation. Florida currently ranks 9th overall averaging 41.6 points per game. Oklahoma comes in just a few spots later at 12th averaging 41.1 points.

Defensively, it is the Sooners who hold the edge. They rank 41st in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 24.3 points per game to opponents. The Gators come in 64th, allowing 28.6 points per game.

Florida Hopes For Success Despite Loss Of Key Playmakers

Florida has already been frustrated in their two straight losses; now, they will need to find a way to win without some of their best offensive weapons. Kadarius Toney (984 yards, 10 touchdowns), Kyle Pitts (770 yards, 12 touchdowns), and Trevon Grimes (589 yards, nine touchdowns) are all sitting this one out in preparation for the NFL draft.

That leaves starting quarterback Kyle Trask without his three best receiving options. Still, Trask will try to continue his remarkable season without them. This year, he has thrown for 4,125 yards, 43 touchdowns, and just five interceptions.

On the ground, it was Dameon Pierce leading the way with 443 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

Oklahoma Looks To Keep Rolling

Oklahoma has won seven in a row, and they have no intentions of stopping there. Even though they won’t be in this year’s playoffs for a national championship, head coach Lincoln Riley will still look to finish the season off strong with a bowl victory.

To do so, he will lean on quarterback Spencer Rattler and the offense to go to work against a mediocre Florida defense. On the year, Rattler has thrown for 2,784 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also has rushed for 120 yards and another five scores.

Their best rusher, though, is Rhamondre Stevenson. In just five games this year, he has rushed 83 times for 479 yards and six touchdowns. He could play a significant role in this one to give balance to Oklahoma’s offense.

Taking Oklahoma To Win And Cover

The Cotton Bowl should certainly should be a high scoring contest. Right off the bat, I am highly intrigued by the over. A total of 69.5 seems too low, even with Florida missing some of its playmakers on offense.

Those absent weapons will be the difference in the contest. While both can put up points, Oklahoma can defend a little better, which should be even easier without Pitts, Grimes, Toney on the field.

In the end, I like Oklahoma not only to win this game but to cover the 3.5 points as well.

FREE PICK: Oklahoma Sooners (-3.5).

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