Florida vs. Oklahoma prediction, pick, odds, line, spread, TV channel, live stream, Cotton Bowl kickoff time

The #College #Football #Playoff selection process and controversy go hand-in-hand, but the #New #Year’s #Six bowls featuring teams on the outside looking in usually end up providing the more compelling games. #That was the case this season and the #Cotton #Bowl between #No. 6 #Oklahoma and #No. 7 #Florida could end up being the best game of them all as it pairs two teams that should be a great matchup for one another. The #Sooners are one of college football’s hottest teams, winners of seven straight and fielding a top-10 defense over the past couple of months. The #Gators, meanwhile, have the nation’s best passing offense with weapons all over the field.

#Oklahoma is looking for its first postseason win since the 2017 #Sugar #Bowl against #Auburn. The #Sooners made the playoff semifinals over the past three years but lost each time. #Florida is hoping for its third straight bowl win under coach #Dan #Mullen, as well as its third straight season finishing in the top 10 of the rankings at the end of the season.

#Surprisingly, these two historically relevant programs have only met once prior to this matchup. #That was back in 2009 when #Tim #Tebow and #Urban #Meyer led the #Gators to their most recent national championship over #Sam #Bradford and #Bob #Stoops in the #Orange #Bowl. #Will the #Gators get another win over the #Sooners in #Texas? #Let’s take a closer look at the matchups and storylines to follow before making some expert picks both straight up and against the spread.

#Storylines

#Florida: #Opt outs have been a big part of the 2020 season, both in the regular season and for bowl games. #You can argue that no individual opt out is bigger for a team than tight end #Kyle #Pitts. #In just eight games, #Pitts racked up 770 yards receiving — averaging nearly 100 yards per game and 18 yards per catch — and 12 touchdowns. #He was the textbook definition of a mismatch for defenses. #He has the opportunity to be a high first-round NFL draft pick, however, so his decision to leave early and skip the bowl makes sense. #Kadarius #Toney has emerged as a legit WR1, but he’s out, too. #So are #Trevon #Grimes and #Jacob #Copeland. #Who will be the impact pass catcher in this game?

#Oklahoma: The #Sooners defense has come on strong in the second half of the season, but #Florida will by far be the toughest offense they’ve faced. #Oklahoma has a good balance of pass rush with defensive linemen #Ronnie #Perkins and #Isaiah #Thomas, along with linebacker #Nik #Bonitto. #On the back end, defensive backs #Tre #Brown and #Brendan #Radley-Hiles are playing tight coverage. #Defensive coordinator #Alex #Grinch has done a superb job turning the corner with this defense. #Slowing down #Florida’s elite passing attack and getting pressure on quarterback #Kyle #Trask will be the key to victory.

#Want more college football in your life? #Listen below and subscribe to the #Cover 3 #College #Football podcast for top-notch insight and analysis beyond the gridiron, including a complete preview and expert picks on the #Cotton #Bowl below.

#Viewing information

#Game: #Cotton #Bowl
#Date: #Wednesday, #Dec. 30 | #Time8 pm ET
#Location: AT&T #Stadium — #Arlington, #Texas
TV: ESPN | #Live stream: fuboTV (#Try for free)

#Cotton #Bowl prediction, picks

#Florida is about a field goal favorite. The true test of whether #Oklahoma can pull off the win is if its defense is up to the challenge. #Offensively, #Oklahoma is still good, but a little less consistent than in year’s past. #Getting running back #Rhamondre #Stevenson going will be critical in controlling the game. #Yes, there will be points scored, but #Oklahoma’s defense should do enough to keep things from getting too out of hand. #It may even be enough to get the outright win. #Pick: #Oklahoma +3 | #Oklahoma 37, #Florida 34

#So who wins #Florida vs. #Oklahoma? #And which side of the spread hits almost 60 percent of the time? #Visit #SportsLine now to see which side to back, all from the model on a 56-36 run on top-rated college football picks this season.