Tag: Arizona Wildcats football

Arizona transfer DL Bill Norton commits to Texas

Texas began to address its defensive tackle depth with the addition of Bill Norton.

The Texas Longhorns had a need at defensive tackle exiting spring football. They addressed that need on Monday.

Arizona transfer defensive lineman Bill Norton announced a transfer portal commitment to Texas. He joins former defensive line teammate Tiaoalii Savea in Austin. Both players were once four-star composite prospects as recruits.

Both Norton and Savea were part of a defense led by Texas linebackers coach Johnny Nansen last season. The then Arizona defensive coordinator led a Wildcats defense that allowed 21.1 points per game and 5.4 yards per play. The defense was particularly good against the run where Savea and Norton helped Arizona hold opponents to 118.2 rushing yards per game.

Norton’s frame is a positive as Texas looks to add big humans in the trenches. At 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds Norton should not only be able to hold his ground but bat down passes at the line of scrimmage. The defensive lineman would be able to work in concert with fellow 6-foot-6 player Ethan Burke at edge. That length could create issues for quarterbacks with side arm deliveries.

The addition fills a need for the Longhorns to a certain degree but the team might not be done at the position. Texas has been a favorite to land UCLA transfer defensive lineman Jay Toia as well. Norton’s addition doesn’t eliminate the possibility of adding Toia.

Texas is on its way to building a formidable defensive line after losing two All-American caliber defensive tackles in Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat. Look for Norton to make an impact in 2024.

Where does Jackson Arnold rank in early 2024 Heisman odds according to Fan Duel?

Jackson Arnold is already getting some preseason Heisman buzz before his first year as a starter.

If you think [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] is going to win the [autotag]Heisman[/autotag] in 2024, now is the time to bet on it. You probably won’t see the odds this low again if he has the season you think he’s going to have.

Arnold is heading into his first year as the starting quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners. The sophomore quarterback showed flashes in games last year. Even though his bowl game was soured with all of the turnovers, he showed in that game why people are so high on him and his ability.

He’s definitely got all of the makings to be Oklahoma’s next great quarterback and Heisman contender. Arnold’s going to have plenty of opportunities to show out against several high-quality opponents.

So where does Arnold land in 2024 Heisman odds according to Fan Duel Sportsbook? Let’s take a look at the early contenders.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3006″ ] Fan Duel

Social media reacts to Jedd Fisch leaving Arizona for Washington

The Big 12-bound Arizona Wildcats watched their head coach leave for Washington

The college football and NFL coaching cycles have been extremely busy this month. Nick Saban retired, and Alabama wasted no time in hiring Kalen DeBoer, who just coached Washington in the College Football Playoff National Championship game a week ago.

Then, Washington wasted no time and hired Jedd Fisch, the Arizona Wildcats head coach, to replace DeBoer. Fisch departing Arizona to go to Washington is a big move, and the Wildcats are in for another coaching search after going 10-3 this past season.

Fisch leaving the Big 12-bound Wildcats for the Big Ten-bound Huskies is great news for Colorado, as Arizona likely won’t be as competitive next season.

Fans on social media were quick to react to the news of Fisch joining the Huskies.

Jackson Arnold will be better for Alamo Bowl experience

Jackson Arnold’s first start for the Oklahoma Sooners wasn’t smooth sailing, but the adversity will only make him better.

Offensive coordinator Seth Littrell wasn’t concerned about easing his true freshman quarterback into the game. Jackson Arnold threw the ball on the Sooners’ first three plays of the game.

They weren’t straight dropbacks as the Sooners dialed up the run-pass option on the first play of the game and a play action naked bootleg on the second. On his first straight drop on 3rd and 10, Arnold threw a good ball to Drake Stoops, but Arizona safety Genesis Smith drove on the ball and through Stoops to intercept the pass.

It was Arnold’s first interception of his career and first in a game in which the Sooners had six turnovers. In total, Arnold had three interceptions and a fumble.

Despite three first half turnovers, the Sooners took a 14-13 lead into halftime, thanks in large part to a tremendous defensive effort, but also because Arnold settled in and found his stride.

It wasn’t the start that everyone had hoped for as the Sooners ultimately fell 38-24, but it was a game that revealed a lot of positive things about the Sooners’ quarterback.

Social media reacts to the Oklahoma Sooners loss to Arizona in the Alamo Bowl

It was a tough way to end the 2023 season in the Sooners 38-24 loss to Arizona and here’s how social media reacted.

At one point in the third quarter, it looked as if the Oklahoma Sooners were going to run away from the Arizona Wildcats in their Alamo Bowl matchup. But the turnover bug that hurt the Sooners in the first quarter, reared its ugly head again toward the end of the third.

Instead of potentially going up 31-13 late in the third, the Sooners led by just three. And after the Wildcats defensive touchdown, it seemed as if the wheels fell off for the Sooners offense.

It was a tough way to end the season, but there were some promising moments that give us something to look forward to.

So how did social media react to the Sooners’ 38-24 loss? Always hard after a loss, but let’s take a look at some reactions to the overall performance, Jackson Arnold’s first start, and Nic Anderson and Drake Stoops’ big days.

No. 12 Oklahoma vs. No. 14 Arizona Wildcats: Sooners Wire staff predictions

The Oklahoma Sooners take on the Arizona Wildcats in the Alamo Bowl. Sooners Wire staff predicts the final game of 2023.

The [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] era has officially begun in Norman, Oklahoma. He’ll make the first start of Sooners’ career in the Alamo Bowl when the Sooners take on one of the hottest teams in the country, the Arizona Wildcats.

On paper, this looks like an even matchup between two teams that rank inside the top 50 on both sides of the ball.

Like Oklahoma, the Wildcats will start a freshman at quarterback, Noah Fifita. He’s played really well in 2023 and is a big reason Arizona is on the verge of a 10-win season.

To get you ready for the 2023 Valero [autotag]Alamo Bowl[/autotag], here are our final Sooners Wire staff predictions for the 2023 season.

Current ticket pricing for Oklahoma Sooners vs. Arizona Wildcats in the Alamo Bowl

A look at the current ticket prices for the Oklahoma Sooners showdown vs. the Arizona Wildcats.

This year’s Alamo Bowl holds special significance. It will be the first start of Jackson Arnold’s Sooners’ career when Oklahoma takes on the Arizona Wildcats in San Antonio.

That has created an extra buzz about the game. How will Oklahoma’s new QB1 perform under the bright lights heading into 2024, a season in which Arnold is expected to be the starter for the Sooners?

Well, if you’re still looking for seats to the Alamo Bowl, Seat Geek has great options available for you.

Tickets range anywhere from $42 to $464, depending on where you want to sit. If you want to sit on the 50-yard line behind Oklahoma’s bench, it’s gonna cost you quite a bit more than if you were willing to sit behind the Wildcats. Those seats are running as high as $322.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Valero Alamo Bowl tickets at Seat Geek” link=”https://seatgeek.pxf.io/jrGYy6″]

While the seats behind the teams cost a pretty penny, you can still find lower level seats under $100.

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Oklahoma Sooners at No. 12 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll

The Oklahoma Sooners remained at No. 12 while Oklahoma State dropped a couple of spots after championship weekend.

As championship weekend played out on Saturday, Oklahoma’s hopes of landing in a New Year’s Six bowl were dashed. They weren’t able to move up any higher in the College Football Playoff rankings.

They also remained at No. 12 in the latest US LBM Coaches poll after the conference title games played out.

The group of teams ranked nine through 13 remained in the same spots. Missouri was No. 9, followed by Penn State, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, and LSU.

After their Big 12 title blowout of Oklahoma State, the Texas Longhorns moved up three spots into a tie for No. 4 with the Alabama Crimson Tide, who jumped up four spots after their win over Georgia. The Bulldogs fell to No. 6 after their SEC title loss.

Michigan, Washington, and Florida State each moved up one spot, with the Wolverines taking over the No. 1 spot in the nation.

Oklahoma State, after losing by 28, fell out of the top 20 to No. 21 behind SMU and Liberty, who won their conference title games. The Liberty Flames completed an undefeated season and earned a spot in the Fiesta Bowl against the Oregon Ducks.

For the Sooners, the No. 12 finish marks a strong rebound season for Brent Venables and his program after their 6-7 season a year ago. Still, it could have been better had Oklahoma taken better care of the ball in losses to Kansas and the Cowboys.

The Sooners’ bowl opponent, the Arizona Wildcats, moved up one spot to No. 14 in the latest poll. The Wildcats provide an intriguing opponent with an offense and defense that rank in the top 25 in both scoring offense and scoring defense.

If Oklahoma can complete the season with a win in the Alamo Bowl, the Sooners will likely go into the 2024 season inside the top 25.

Here is the full US LBM Coaches Poll.

Rank Team Record Points Change
1 Michigan 13-0 1535 (51) +1
2 Washington 13-0 1,482 (8) +1
3 Florida State 13-0 1358 +1
4 (tie) Texas 12-1 1351 +3
4 (tie) Alabama 12-1 1351 +4
6 Georgia 12-1 1275 -5
7 Ohio State 11-1 1187 –1
8 Oregon 11-2 1092 -3
9 Missouri 10-2 1023 –
10 Penn State 10-2 952 –
11 Ole Miss 10-2 932 –
12 Oklahoma 10-2 898 –
13 LSU 9-3 796 –
14 Arizona 9-3 642 +1
15 Louisville 10-3 642 -1
16 Notre Dame 9-3 633 –
17 Iowa 10-3 426 –
18 North Carolina State 9-3 423 +2
19 SMU 11-2 375 +5
20 Liberty 13-0 315 +2
21 Oklahoma State 9-4 299 -2
22 Oregon State 8-4 295 -1
23 Tennessee 8-4 226 –
24 Tulane 11-2 139 -6
25 James Madison 11-1 114 –

Others Receiving Votes

Clemson 107; Troy 66; Kansas State 64; Utah 36; Kansas 17; West Virginia 8; Miami (OH) 8; Toledo 7; Boise State 7; San Jose State 3; New Mexico State 1

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Social media reacts to Sooners’ New Year’s Six snub, bowl destination

The Oklahoma Sooners missed out on a New Year’s Six bowl and will instead be playing in the Alamo Bowl and here’s how social media reacted.

When the Oklahoma Sooners’ Red River Rivals earned a spot in the College Football Playoff, there was a belief that OU’s win over the No. 3 Texas Longhorns might push them into a New Year’s Six Bowl.

It didn’t work out that way. The College Football Playoff committee opted to include Ole Miss, Missouri, and Penn State, teams that were just ahead of the Sooners in the final playoff rankings.

The Sooners have a worthwhile resume with wins over the Big 12 champion, Texas, and the AAC champion, SMU. But it was losses to Kansas and Oklahoma State that pushed the Sooners to the background and into the Alamo Bowl.

The Sooners and Wildcats provide an intriguing matchup between an outgoing and incoming member of the Big 12. Arizona ranks in the top 25 nationally in scoring offense and defense.

Though it may not be the bowl game everyone hoped for, it’s still a matchup that could be fantastic.

Here’s how social media reacted to the Alamo Bowl placement.

Big 12 Bowl Projections: Sooners to face incoming and ascending Big 12 squad in Bowl Season

The Oklahoma Sooners will play a future Big 12 member in the latest Bowl Projections from USA TODAY Sports.

The regular season is over, and all that awaits before knowing OU’s bowl destination is championship weekend. The Oklahoma Sooners just missed out on the Big 12 title game. It’s the third season in a row that the Sooners won’t play for the conference title.

Things are improving at Oklahoma, but after running the Big 12 to the tune of 14 conference championships, it stings a bit not to be able to play for one more.

Still, 10-2 is better than 6-6. The Sooners are showing they’re a program on the right track as they get ready for the SEC. Recruiting is better on both sides of the ball and in 2023, we began to see glimpses of Brent Venables’ recruiting classes impacting the game.

In Oklahoma’s bowl game, we’ll likely get to see more of the youth the Sooners have added since Brent Venables’ arrival. Who will they play? Let’s take a look at the latest Big 12 Bowl Projections via USA TODAY Sports.