It is a new day for Notre Dame and College Football. Marcus Freeman is the new head coach of the Fighting Irish. Following the shocking departure of Brian Kelly, Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick had to act fast. Notre Dame was on the bubble for the College Football Playoff. And Kelly left at the peak of recruiting season. Kelly hired Freeman to be his defensive coordinator in 2021. And Freeman proved to be an asset with the College Football odds. Most important of all, Freeman is an elite recruiter. Freeman believes Notre Dame can do more.
Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Fiesta Bowl
| Date and Time: | Saturday, January 1, 2022, 1 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona |
| Oklahoma State vs. Notre Dame TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma State | +2½ (-110) | 45½ (-110) | +113 |  |
| Notre Dame | -2½ (-110) | 45½ (-110) | -133 | |
| ||||
2021 Play Station Fiesta Bowl SBG Odds Overview
Since 1971 the Fiesta Bowl has been a regular part of the college football sportsbook landscape. Originally, this bowl was created to get the local Arizona State Sun Devils into a certain postseason matchup. The Bowl proved so successful that it grew into a New Year’s Six matchups. In fact, the Fiesta Bowl is on the rotation for the National Championship Game and College Football Playoff. Specifically, the Fiesta Bowl has been played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, since 2007. The payout for the Fiesta Bowl is $17 million.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Team Overview
Last time out, Notre Dame destroyed Stanford 45-14 as 20.5-point away favorites. It proved to be the final game for Brian Kelly as head coach. The Fighting Irish and Cardinal went over the total of 53. As a result, Notre Dame is 11-1 straight up, 9-3 against the spread, and 6-6 over/under. Notre Dame ranks 56th for total offense and 22nd for scoring offense. On the defensive side, the Fighting Irish rank 28th overall and 10th for points allowed.
Correlate the joy of the Notre Dame players upon learning that Freeman was named head coach. Also going over well was the retention of offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. Social media videos of a wild celebration went viral.
Of great concern is that Notre Dame and Freeman keep bragging that the new skipper is a “player’s coach.” Some take this term to mean that Freeman may end up as a pushover. By contrast, Brian Kelly was not well-liked. But he was universally respected. And he departed South Bend as the winningest coach in program history.
Oklahoma State Cowboys Team Overview
In the Big 12 Championship Game, Oklahoma State was upset by Baylor 21-16 as 7-point favorites. Additionally, the game went under the total of 45. Now OSU is 11-2 straight up, 9-3-1 against the spread, and 4-8-1 under the total. On the whole, Oklahoma State ranks 66th for total offense and 51st for scoring offense. Defensively, the Cowboys rank 3rd overall and 8th for points allowed.
Mike Gundy showed why he is the GOAT of Oklahoma State coaches. Following a disappointing 2020 campaign, Gundy produced a masterpiece and a Bedlam win over Oklahoma. All of which makes the loss to Baylor extremely painful and costly.
2021 Play Station Fiesta Bowl SBG Free Picks
Lost in all of the Notre Dame noise is that Oklahoma State is an outstanding football team. Head coach Mike Gundy made the Cowboys one of the most profitable teams with the College Football odds.
Fiesta Bowl SBG Best Bet: Oklahoma State Cowboys.