Toledo Prepping for Wyoming in Arizona Bowl Without Star QB
Arizona Bowl Spread: Toledo Down to +2.5
The Arizona Bowl kicks off this upcoming Saturday. We’ve got the latest updates on lines, injuries, departures and weather right here:
Toledo opened as 1.5-point underdogs, but that line quickly flipped in Wyoming’s favor when it was announced that Rockets quarterback Dequan Finn planned to sit out the bowl game. Finn, the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, has since transferred to Baylor. Backup Tucker Gleason, who appeared in three games this season, is expected to replace Finn under center.
Wyoming took over as a 1-point favorite on Dec. 6 and inched its way up to -4 over the span of a few weeks. It’s back to -3.5 on the eve of kickoff, with Wyoming also priced -185 on the moneyline. Toledo, meanwhile, is coming in at +154 to win outright.
With Finn out, it’s no wonder a majority of bettors are apprehensive about backing Toledo. Gleason has played sparingly, completing 14 of 21 passes for 199 yards and four touchdowns in three games.
The projected total opened at 45.5 but has held steady at 44.5 for multiple weeks.
Now, check out the rest of the Arizona Bowl preview, originally published on December 8:
Toledo and Wyoming will square off in the Arizona Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for Dec. 30 in Tucson, Ariz., making it one of the final bowls outside the New Year’s Six on the postseason slate.
The Rockets opened as 1.5-point favorites but have since dropped to 2.5-point underdogs following news that quarterback Dequann Finn plans to transfer. They’re also +120 on the moneyline. Conversely, Wyoming is -2.5 on the spread and -140 to win outright. The projected total is 44.5, a smidge down from 45.5.
Wyoming will be making its second straight appearance in the Arizona Bowl and third since 2019.
What should bettors expect? Let’s break down the Arizona Bowl spread.
Arizona Bowl
Rockets vs Cowboys 
Day/Time:
Records: Toledo (11-2) at Wyoming (8-4)
Location: Arizona Stadium; Tucson, Ariz.
Streaming: CW Network, Barstool
So Far, So (Mostly) Good for Rockets
After dropping its opener to Illinois, Toledo ripped off 11 straight wins to find its way back in the Mid-American Conference Championship. Despite a 23-14 loss to Miami of Ohio, the Rockets are still bowl-bound for the third straight season under Jason Candle.
At 11-2 (8-1 MAC), Toledo distinguished itself as one of the country’s best Group of Five programs. It was briefly ranked in the AP Top 25, a first for the program since 2015.
The Rockets scored some impressive victories along the way, including a 21-17 win over San Jose State in non-conference play. This is the Rockets’ first double-digit win season since 2017, when they went 11-3 and lost to Appalachian State in the formerly named Dollar General Bowl.
Toledo was a bit unpredictable in the betting market, going 6-7 ATS. It was favored in every game, with the exception of a 30-28 loss to Illinois. The Rockets also went 7-6 against the Over/Under, though they went Under the projected total in five of their last seven NCAA football games.
The Rockets’ high-powered offense, led by quarterback Dequan Finn, was instrumental in their success. Finn was named MAC Player of the Year after completing 63.4% of his passes for 2,657 yards with 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
He also ran 123 times for 563 yards and seven touchdowns. The Rockets averaged 426.1 yards and 33.6 points per game, surpassing 40 points on four different occasions.
But Finn, who has one year of eligibility remaining, plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, taking him out of consideration for the bowl game. Look for that to affect the Arizona Bowl spread.
Departures & Injuries
With Finn planning to transfer, Toledo will turn to a new quarterback for its college bowl. Sophomore Tucker Gleason is presumably the next man up. Gleason played sparingly, completing 14 of 21 passes for 199 yards and four touchdowns in three games.
Candle has been linked to numerous Power Five gigs and will continue to be a hot candidate, given his success at Toledo (65-34 over nine seasons).
Cowboys Hanging Tough
Wyoming is 8-4 and finds itself in a bowl game for the third straight season and the fourth time in five years under Craig Bohl. The Cowboys started 5-1 with a double-overtime victory over Texas Tech but sputtered midseason in Mountain West Conference play, losing to Air Force, Boise State and UNLV.
The Cowboys were among the most profitable NCAAF teams for bettors, with a record of 7-4-1 ATS. That includes a 3-3 mark ATS (6-0 SU) as a favorite.
They also went Over the projected total in six of their 12 games, including two straight against Hawaii and Nevada to close the NCAAF regular season. That’s important to remember when assessing the Arizona Bowl spread.
Quarterback Andrew Peasley had a big hand in that. The sixth-year senior completed 60.6% of his passes for a career-high 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also ran for 403 yards and seven scores, finishing as the Cowboys’ second-leading rusher.
Peasley’s experience bodes well for the Cowboys, who are seeking their fourth bowl victory in six trips under Bohl. The Cowboys are returning to the Arizona Bowl after losing 30-27 to Ohio last season, capping their record at 7-6.
Departures & Injuries
Bohl is planning to retire after the Arizona Bowl, concluding one of the most successful coaching jobs in Wyoming history. He’s amassed a 60-60 record over 10 seasons, including 3-2 in bowls.
Per NCAAF scores, his six winning seasons are the most for any Wyoming coach since Lloyd Eaton’s seven. Defensive coordinator Jay Sawvel has already been tabbed to succeed Bohl.
Surely, the Cowboys will be determined to give Bohl a proper send-off.
No Finn, Big Problem for Toledo?
The absence of Finn drastically changes the equation for Toledo. Nobody else on the Rockets comes close to matching his production. While Candle may speak confidently about his secondary options, the Rockets don’t have an obvious alternative. Thus, it’s hard to put much stock in anything they’ve done to this point. Don’t be surprised to see more movement on the college football odds board.
For NCAAF free picks, betting odds, analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
