Notre Dame vs. Oregon State Sun Bowl picks, odds: Both teams without starting QBs

Notre Dame and Oregon State are in the top 20 of the final College Football Playoff rankings, but the future for these programs looks very different. Despite having a strong season, the mood among Beavers fans may be a bit down with the Pac-12 breaking up and coach Jonathan Smith departing for Michigan State. The Fighting Irish have a number of players opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft, but are favored by about a touchdown.

Oregon State is making a third straight bowl appearance and has at least eight wins for back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2006-2009. However, Smith’s departure and the uncertain conference future of the program led to several departures. Both starting quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei and backup Aidan Chiles are in the transfer portal. Ben Gulbranson will start at quarterback for Oregon State. Gulbranson, who went 7-1 for the Beavers over the final eight games of the 2022 season, has made just one appearance this year.

Oregon State also won’t have running back Damien Martinez, a first-team All-Pac-12 selection (1,185 rushing yards). Martinez was arrested in Texas in late November for a suspected DUI and suspended from the team, but the local district attorney chose not to file charges. Martinez was eligible to return to the team, but is not with the team.

Meanwhile, Notre Dame will be without quarterback Sam Hartman, running back Audric Estime and both starting offensive tackles, Joe Alt (a projected first-round NFL draft pick) and Blake Fisher. They all opted out of this game. Starting center Zeke Correll is in the transfer portal.

Duke transfer Riley Leonard is set to start at quarterback next year for Notre Dame, but sophomore Steve Angeli is set to start in the Sun Bowl. Angeli is 19-for-25 with four touchdown passes this season.

Fun historical fact: Oregon State is 2-0 against Notre Dame, with both wins coming in bowl games (2001 Fiesta Bowl, 2004 Insight Bowl). The only other team that has faced the Fighting Irish more than once and is undefeated is Georgia (3-0).

All odds from BetMGM. Looking for college football tickets? Find them here.

What is the spread for Notre Dame vs. Oregon State?

Expert picks

How to watch and stream Notre Dame vs. Oregon State

TV coverage is set for 2 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 29, at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. CBS will provide coverage for the game and it will be streaming on Paramount Plus.

Pregame reading

Sign up for the Until Saturday newsletter here

Notre Dame notebook: Charles Jagusah takes over at left tackle, roster settled for Sun Bowl

Mike Denbrock to leave LSU, return to Notre Dame as offensive coordinator

Oregon State, Washington State settle legal dispute with departing Pac-12 schools: What’s next?

How Notre Dame recruiting under Marcus Freeman is improving, even if rankings don’t show it

(Photo of Jack Kiser: Michael Allio / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)