The 2023 Sun Bowl features the 8-4 Oregon State Beavers against the 9-3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Here is the 2023 Sun Bowl Preview.
Oregon State Beavers (8-4)
Oregon State won eight games to make their third straight bowl game. They defeated four bowl-eligible teams this season: San Jose State, Utah, Cal and UCLA. All four of their losses were to teams who qualified for bowl games.
The Beavers score 33.8 points per game, ranking 28th in the country. They pass for 246.1 yards (ranked 52nd) and rush for 180.8 yards per game (ranked 37th).
D.J. Uiagalelei and Aidan Chiles have played quarterback for the Beavers this season, but they are transferring. Ben Gulbarson will likely start and has experience after playing a lot last season. He has passed for just six yards this season. Four players have at least 200 receiving yards on the season. Anthony Gould and Silas Bolden are tied for the team lead with 718 yards, but Gould is in the transfer portal.
Their leading rusher is Damien Martinez, but he is suspended for the bowl game following an arrest. Deshaun Fenwick is the leading active rusher with 500 yards and five touchdowns. He’ll have to play well, as no other running back has over 100 yards on the season.
Defensively, Oregon State allows 21.5 points per game, ranking 32nd in the country. They give up 104.1 rushing yards (ranked 15th) and 236.2 passing yards per game (ranked 81st). Top tackler Easton Mascarenas-Arnold is in the transfer portal, which means the active leader will be Kitan Oladapo with 62. Andrew Chatfield has the team-high with 9.5 sacks. Corner Jermod McCoy has been impressive in the secondary with seven passes defended and two interceptions.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-3)
Notre Dame won nine games to make their seventh-straight bowl game. They have three wins over bowl-eligible teams this season: NC State, Duke and USC. All three of their losses were to teams that qualified for bowl games.
The Fighting Irish score 38.6 points per game, ranking eighth in the FBS. They pass for 247.8 yards (ranked 50th) and rush for 181.5 yards per game (ranked 33rd).
Starting quarterback Sam Hartman is skipping the bowl game and preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft. Steve Angeli will likely start in his place after passing for 272 yards, four touchdowns and one interception on 63.5 percent completion. Seven players have had at least 200 receiving yards on the season. Three of their top four receivers are transferring and the fourth, tight end Mitchell Evans, is out for the season with a torn ACL. Jaden Greathouse, Jayden Thomas and Jordan Faison will all have to step up after having over 200 receiving yards this season.
Top running back Audric Estime has opted out of the Sun Bowl after rushing for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns. Jeremiah Love will take over after rushing for 346 yards and one touchdown. Jadarian Price and Gi’Bran Payne will also chip in after rushing for 166 and 144 yards respectively.
On defense, Notre Dame allows 16.6 points per game, ranking eighth in the country. They give up 128.8 rushing yards (ranked 32nd) and 154.2 passing yards per game (ranked fourth). JD Bertrand leads the team with 75 total tackles. Javontae Jean-Baptiste has the team-high with four sacks. Cornerback Benjamin Morrison has been one of the best in the country with 10 passes defended and two interceptions.
Prediction
Oregon State is without their quarterbacks, head coach, star running back and much more. Notre Dame has a little more stability heading into this game. The Fighting Irish will run the ball and play good defense to secure the win.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 24 Oregon State Beavers 18
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