Was waiting for the final bowl opt out list for OU and it appears their last receiver with really any experience who hasn't transferred, Deion Burks, will not play. So the team's WR room is now apparently eight freshmen. Several other guys are also out all over the roster. The Sooners are still the more talented roster but how much do they really want to be here? Navy hasn't won a bowl this decade so it likely means a bit more. And I think we are far enough out now from the Army game to where no letdown here.

Perhaps no bowl spread has nose-dived like this one. As Oklahoma has shed players left and right, the number has plunged so deeply that Navy is flirting with favoritism. At last count, the Sooners had lost 28 players to the portal, chiefly at wide receiver, where the lone survivors have gotten little game action. Good luck throwing against the Midshipmen, whose 17 interceptions are tied for fourth most in FBS. The formidable defense also has been stripped nearly bare of standouts, and the Midshipmen's triple option offense led by crafty QB Blake Horvath could befuddle it. The Middies have covered in eight of the last 11 and have had two weeks to come down from the clouds after running roughshod over Army.

No team has been hit harder by the transfer portal than the Sooners (6-6), who have 26 players in the portal. That includes QB Jackson Arnold, six receivers and top pass catcher Bauer Sharp, a tight end. In addition, Oklahoma will also be without first team all-SEC linebacker Danny Stutsman (opt out), playmaking safety Billy Bowman Jr. (opt out) and leading rusher Jovantae Barnes (injury). That means that the Sooners will not have their leading passer, rusher, pass catcher or tackler. Meanwhile the Midshipmen (9-3) are closing out a strong season, which was capped by blowing out Army, 31-13. QB Blake Horvath looks healthy again after battling a late-season injury. He leads an offense that averages 249.3 rushing yards per game (sixth in the country).

The big question I have in the Armed Forces Bowl is: does Oklahoma want to be here? The Sooners are down a slew of players, both injuries and transfers, while the Midshipmen have basically their entire roster intact. This is Navy's first bowl game since 2019 so you know they'll be amped with the chance to play and beat an SEC team. Oklahoma won one game away from home this season and it was a fluky comeback at Auburn. Don't get me wrong, the Sooners still have a talent advantage despite the opt-outs / transfers / injuries, but it won't matter. Let's ride the momentum with a Navy team who handily defeated their rival, (AAC Champion) Army two weeks ago. Navy 28, Oklahoma 20.