The 2022 Cheez-It Bowl features the 6-6 Oklahoma Sooners against the 9-3 Florida State Seminoles. Here is the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl preview.
Oklahoma won six games to make their 24th straight bowl game. They had wins over Kansas and Oklahoma State, which were their only ones against bowl-eligible teams. Their loss to West Virginia was their lone defeat to a team that didn’t qualify for a bowl game.
The offense puts up 32.9 points per game, which ranks 35th in the FBS. They pass for 255.6 yards (ranked 42nd) and rush for 216.6 yards per game (ranked 13th).
UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel has been the starting quarterback for the Sooners. He has 2,925 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions on 63 percent completion. Six players had at least 200 receiving yards on the season. The leading receiver has been Marvin Mims with 52 receptions for 1,006 yards and six touchdowns.
Leading rusher Eric Gray has opted out of this game, which means Javonte Barnes and Marcus Major will get most of the work. Barnes rushed for 411 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Majors had 227 rushing yards and four touchdowns. It will be tougher for them to find room to run, as a few offensive linemen have opted out as well.
The Sooner defense gives up 29.6 points per game, which ranks them 99th in the FBS. They allow 189 rushing yards (ranked 108th) and 264.3 passing yards per game (ranked 111th). Linebackers Danny Stutsman and David Ugwoegbu both have over 100 tackles on the season. Ethan Downs and Reggie Grimes each have 4.5 sacks. C.J. Coldon has led the team with four interceptions and also has five passes defended.
Florida State won nine games to make their first bowl game since 2019. They defeated five bowl-eligible teams: Florida, Louisiana, Syracuse, Louisville and LSU. All three of their losses, to NC State, Wake Forest and Clemson, were to teams who made bowl games.
The Seminoles score 36.2 points per game, which is the 17th-best in the country. They average 257.8 passing yards (ranked 38th) and 217.8 rushing yards per game (ranked 12th).
Jordan Travis took a huge step forward at quarterback this season. He has 2,796 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions on the season. Six players have 200 receiving yards for the Seminoles. Johnny Wilson has been a matchup problem at 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds. He has 35 receptions for 695 yards and five touchdowns this season.
The Seminoles have a three-headed monster at running back. Trey Benson has led the way with 965 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Treshaun Ward has 547 rushing yards, while Lawrance Toafili has 447. Travis has been productive from the quarterback position with 367 yards and seven touchdowns.
Their defense allows 19.7 points per game, ranking 18th in the country. They concede 148.3 rushing yards (ranked 61st) and 158.9 passing yards per game (ranked 3rd). Safety Jammie Robinson has led the team with 86 total tackles. Jared Verse is a transfer from Albany that registered a team-high 7.5 sacks. Linebacker Kalen Deloach has been good against the pass with seven passes defended.
Florida State has a better defense and has less players opting out or transferring. Jordan Travis will be able to put up points and the Seminoles defense can get a few key stops to win the game.
Florida State Seminoles 38 Oklahoma Sooners 24
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