The 2023 Arizona Bowl features the 11-2 Toledo Rockets against the 8-4 Wyoming Cowboys. Here is the 2023 Arizona Bowl Preview.
Toledo Rockets (11-2)
Toledo won 11 games to make their third straight bowl game. They defeated five bowl-eligble teams this season: San Jose State, Northern Illinois, Miami (OH), Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green. They lost to one team that didn’t qualify for a bowl game: Illinois.
The Rockets score 33.6 points per game, ranking 29th in the country. They pass for 223.5 yards (ranked 67th) and rush for 202.6 yards per game (ranked 11th).
Dequan Finn has started for Toledo this season, but he’s in the transfer portal. Tucker Gleason will likely start in his place after passing for 199 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions on 63.4 percent completion. Five players have at least 200 receiving yards this season. Jerjuan Newton and Junior Vandeross III have been the top targets with 622 and 611 receiving yards respectively.
Finn’s rushing yards will be missed, but two running backs have played well this season. Penny Boone rushed for 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns. Behind him Jacquez Stuart has 475 rushing yards and five touchdowns this season.
Defensively, the Rockets give up 20.6 points per game, ranking them 25th in the country. They concede 147.2 rushing yards (ranked 55th) and 182.9 passing yards per game (ranked 15th). Dallas Gant has been a star for Toledo with 108 total tackles. Judge Culpepper leads the team with nine sacks. Quinyon Mitchell is a future pro with 18 passes defended and one interception this season.
Wyoming Cowboys (8-4)
Wyoming won eight games to qualify for their third straight bowl game. They defeated three bowl-eligible teams on the season: Texas Tech, Appalachian State and Fresno State. All four of their losses were to bowl-eligible teams.
The Cowboys score 25.7 points per game, ranking them 79th in the country. They pass for 167.3 yards (ranked 120th) and rush for 157.5 yards per game (ranked 66th).
Andrew Peasley has started at quarterback for the Cowboys this season. He has passed for 1,823 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions on 60.6 percent completion. Four players have at least 200 receiving yards on the season. Wyatt Wieland leads the team with 39 catches for 425 yards and five touchdowns.
Three players have at least 200 rushing yards on the season for Wyoming. Harrison Waylee leads the team with 856 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Peasley is second in rushing from the quarterback position with 403 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Behind them, Sam Scott had 228 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, Wyoming allows 22.9 points per game, ranking 45th in the country. They give up 144.6 rushing yards (ranked 49th) and 215.7 passing yards per game (ranked 52nd). Linebacker Easton Gibbs has led the team with 106 total tackles. Braden Siders and DeVonne Harris are tied for the team lead with four sacks. Corner Jakorey Hawkins has done great with eight passes defended and one interception on the season.
Prediction
Wyoming has had trouble moving the ball all season long. Their defense also has a few future pros on it to help make it tough for Wyoming. Even with a backup quarterback, Toledo should be able to move the ball decently, as they run it well.
Toledo Rockets 21 Wyoming 16
Make sure to check out our college football page for more content like 2023 Arizona Bowl Preview!
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!