The College Football bowl season has arrived, and there are plenty of opportunities for bettors to take another swing or two at College Football before next August.

This article will provide bettors with not only the best odds for each bowl game, but also picks and predictions from a few experienced bettors, including BestOdds’ Malcolm Darnley, Brent Booher, and myself.

From the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl, the two games that will decide the finalists for the NCAA Football Championship, to the Pop-Tarts Bowl and the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, we’ll have you covered.

With updates coming in on players transferring and opting-out of playing in their postseason game, odds will fluctuate for each contest, so always shop around for the best odds!

Selecting wagering options for these bowl games can be tough, but I think most would agree that having action on games like the ‘Famous Toastery Bowl’ makes it much more watchable.

Bowl games will be added as the bowl season progresses, so stay tuned to this article for updates, picks, predictions, and the best odds for all 41 College Football bowl games.

Bettor’s interested in checking out and comparing the best odds for College Football bowl games can find the NCAAF Odds here.

Monday, January 1st – 5 Bowl Games

ReliaQuest Bowl – Wisconsin vs. No. 13 LSU

Thomas: There’s something about the Wisconsin Badgers’ offense that is just hard to watch, they always seem to find a way to NOT score.

LSU’s borderline non-existent defense may make the Badgers’ offense appear slightly better than usual, and with Tigers’ QB Jayden Daniels opting-out, Wisconsin may just hang around.

I’m not in love with this pick, but I’m rolling with it.

Pick: Badgers (+10) | Best Odds: (-106) BetRivers

Malcolm: This is where things can get tricky, because I am now handicapping these games while hanging out at an all inclusive resort, in Mexico.

Did I do my homework and write this before spending 4-hours at the swim up bar? Or is this bold prediction a result of 13 mojitos consumed during that time?

In the off-season, Wisconsin made a big deal about changing their offense and becoming an aerial threat.

Meanwhile, LSU went OVER their total in 11 of 12 games this year, which is kind of absurd.

In fact, the only game the Tigers failed to go OVER the game total, they still scored 56 points.

This game feels like a Zag, while everyone else Zigs.

Pick: Under 56 | Best Odds: (-110) BetRivers

Brent: Heisman Trophy Winning QB Jayden Daniels will unfortunately not play in this one as he prepares for the NFL Draft, but LSU’s offense should not be slowed down in the slightest against a slow and undermanned Wisconsin defense. 

The Tigers will turn to highly-touted recruit Garrett Nussmeier to run an LSU offense that will still feature star WR’s Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., and they should do so with ease.

I think LSU rolls in this one to close out the season.

Pick: LSU (-8.5) | Best Odds: (-110) DraftKings

Fiesta Bowl – No. 23 Liberty vs. No. 8 Oregon

Thomas: In the Pac-12 Championship Game, Oregon Ducks’ QB Bo Nix had a forgettable game in a narrow loss to the Washington Huskies.

This will not be the last impression of Bo Nix on College Football.

Against Liberty’s 101st-ranked passing defense, Nix is going to put on one more big performance.

Pick: Oregon (-16.5) | Best Odds: (-110) FanDuel

Malcolm: There is a lot of talk about Michigan football being undefeated at this point of the college football season.

Florida State is making a lot of noise about what happens if Alabama beats Michigan AND Texas beats Washington.

However, nobody is talking about the undefeated Liberty Flames, winners of Conference USA, and owners of a perfect 13-0 record.

Liberty has wins against Sam Houston State, LA Tech, and Texas El Paso this year. I’m not sure any other team in D-I can say the same.

Gimme the Flames +17 to cover the spread.

Pick: Liberty (+17) | Best Odds: (-105) Caesars

Brent: On paper, Liberty is a 13-0 team that rolled their way through Conference USA into a New Year’s Day Six game. Underneath the surface, however, Liberty has not run into a team like Oregon before. This will show a lot as to how far the Liberty football program has come in the last few seasons. 

Unfortunately for them, I think it will not be a very close affair. Oregon is just bigger and faster across the board, and Bo Nix needs a solid performance to close out his college career and propel him into an offseason full of NFL draft preparation.

Pick: Oregon (-17) | Best Odds: (-110) BetMGM

Citrus Bowl – No. 17 Iowa vs. No. 21 Tennessee

Thomas: There are so many players opting-out for Tennessee that I actually feel better about Iowa’s offense, which is weird.

This is going to be one of those frustrating Hawkeye games.

There’ll be punts, turnovers, and lots of plays that’ll make you say “jeez”. Which is exactly what Iowa likes for some reason.

Pick: Iowa Moneyline | Best Odds: (+200) BetMGM

Malcolm: Nothing has been more fun for me in college football this year, than checking the Iowa box scores each week.

By now, the Brian Ferentz story has been well told. The son of Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz, Brian is the offensive coordinator at Iowa for exactly one more game.

This year, B-Ferentz was given a challenge of averaging 25 points per game, in order to hold onto his job at Iowa.

That didn’t happen. In fact, Iowa was not even close to averaging 25 points per game this year.

The Hawkeyes still had an incredible season, despite having one of the worst offenses in all of college football. However, in their three losses this year, Iowa combined to score 10 points in those three games.

UNDER – because B-Ferentz is gonna be, B-Ferentz.

Pick: Under 35.5 | Best Odds: (-105) FanDuel

Brent: Just.. don’t over think this one. Joe Milton has left to prepare for the NFL Draft and Iowa unders are a money printing machine. This will be ugly because that’s what Iowa football is.

Pick: Under 35.5 | Best Odds: (-105) FanDuel

Rose Bowl – No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Michigan

Thomas: I like Michigan’s defense more than Alabama’s, as the Wolverines allowed only 9.5 points per game all season!

In Bama’s lone loss to the Texas Longhorns, the Crimson Tide allowed over 100 receiving yards to Texas’ tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders.

For this game, I see Michigan’s tight end being a problem for Alabama’s defense. To me, Loveland looks a lot like Travis Kelce.

Pick: Michigan Moneyline | Best Odds: (-120) BetMGM

Malcolm: Ugh. There are a lot of ways to begin handicapping this game, but for me, it begins and ends with Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh.

Harbaugh missed the season’s first three games because he cheated “a little bit.”

Then, Harbaugh missed the season’s final three games because he cheated “a lot.”

How often do we see a college football game involving Alabama, where their Head Coach Nick Saban is the more likeable of the two coaches?

I’m so done with Harbaugh, I’m so done with the Wolverines.

Pick: Alabama Moneyline | Best Odds: (+108) FanDuel

Brent: This will be such an incredible game and I cannot wait to see how it shakes out. I’ve gone back and forth on this matchup for the last month and in the end I cannot fade a Nick Saban team with a month to prepare.

Jalen Milroe has grown in every game this season and the team just seems to be rolling at the right time. Nothing against Michigan, it just feels like a classic Saban victory in the making.

Pick: Alabama Moneyline | Best Odds: (+108) FanDuel

Sugar Bowl – No. 3 Texas vs. No. 2 Washington

Thomas: The Washington Huskies always seem to find a way to win, winning seven of their games by seven points or less.

Texas seemingly defeats their opponents by two or more possessions, winning nine of their games by 10 points or more.

Considering the Longhorns’ 95th-ranked passing defense, Huskies’ QB Michael Penix Jr. and receivers Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk will work their magic once again and head to the National Title Game.

Pick: Washington Moneyline | Best Odds: (+158) Caesars

Malcolm: Combined, Washington and Texas had 11 games go OVER their total.

That means these two teams and their explosive offenses had 15 combined games go UNDER the total.

It’s a New Year’s Day bowl game with most of America watching.

Many of us will be cheering for hangovers to disappear, but very few will be cheering for a defensive battle between these two great teams.

I will be one of the few.

Pick: Under 64 | Best Odds: (-109) BetRivers

Brent: I’ve gotten my tail kicked this season in fading the Huskies week after week, trying to bet on their downfall and I’m tired of it. I won’t doubt this Washington team ever again. They are not only incredibly loaded on offense, their defense has quietly played much better football of late and Kalen DeBoer is a great coach. 

The Longhorns could possibly be the most athletic team in the country, but Washington just has a special aura about them. I think they relish being the underdog and find themselves in the National Championship game when it’s all said and done.

Pick: Washington Moneyline | Best Odds: (+158) Caesars

Saturday, December 30th – 4 Bowl Games

Peach Bowl – No. 11 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Penn State

Thomas: Penn State’s defense was one of the best in the NCAA in 2023, allowing only 154.9 passing yards (4th in NCAA), 68.3 rushing yards (1st in NCAA), and 11.4 points per game (3rd in NCAA).

Defensive end Chop Robinson is a notable opt-out for the Nittany Lions, but their defense should still be strong enough to frustrate the Ole Miss Rebels. Penn State should be able to prevent Ole Miss’ QB Jaxson Dart from doing special things.

Pick: Penn State (-4.5) | Best Odds: (-110) DraftKings

Malcolm: I have a friend named Blake, who is almost obnoxious about Michigan football.

That, in combination with a general dislike for all things Jim Harbaugh, led me to watch Michigan vs Penn St from beginning to end.

Painful.

My Penn State moneyline wager never felt close.

Drew Allar was 10 of 22 for 70 yards – hardly the performance needed to mount the fourth-quarter comeback I wanted so badly.

I have not forgiven.

Go Rebels.

Pick: Ole Miss (+5) | Best Odds: (-110) Caesars

Brent: To no one’s surprise, Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels were once again a force on offense. Saturday the Rebs get a date with Penn State who lost their only two tests of the season against Ohio State and Michigan in a decisive matter. The Nittany Lions will also be without DC Manny Diaz, who left to take the Duke job after Mike Elko departed to Texas A&M.

Fortunately for James Franklin’s bunch, Ole Miss does not have a defense anywhere near the likes of Ohio State and Michigan, and when Penn State faced everyone else they scored nearly 42 points per game.

Lane Kiffin’s squad will put up points as well, and that’s why I love the over in this one.

Pick: Over 49.5 | Best Odds: (-115) FanDuel

Music City Bowl – Auburn vs. Maryland

Thomas: Auburn scored less than 20 or less points in five games this season, and now they’ll wave goodbye to a few of their offensive players in the transfer portal.

Also, Auburn only allowed 21.9 points per game, and with no Taulia Tagovailoa under center for the Maryland Terrapins, I don’t see Maryland racking up points.

Auburn’s play on both sides of the ball will keep this total low.

Pick: Under 47.5 | Best Odds: (-110) FanDuel

Malcolm: According to ProFootballNetwork.com, Taulia Tagovailoa is currently projected to be a mid-to-late-round selection on DAY 3 of the NFL draft.

Within those projections, readers are reminded that mid-to-late Day 3 projected players often don’t even get drafted.

With that in mind, Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa has opted out of the Music City Bowl.

What happened to the love of the game? Why are you sitting out, Taulia?

The two top backups at Maryland are both expected to get reps. If Maryland has announced a number-one starter, I haven’t seen it.

Pick: Auburn (-6.5) | Best Odds: (-110) BetMGM

Brent: Auburn looks to end their season on a high note after a shocking 21-point home loss to New Mexico State followed by a heartbreaking loss to Alabama in the Iron Bowl just one week later. Meanwhile, Maryland will get a glimpse of life without Taulia Tagovailoa, as he is leaving the program after starting at QB for what feels like was about 20 years.

Maryland HC Mike Locksley is known for having a QB friendly offense, but Tagovailoa’s absence is significant. Look for Hugh Freeze to build some momentum heading into 24 with a bowl win and for the Tigers to cover the number.

Pick: Auburn (-6.5) | Best Odds: (-110) BetMGM

Orange Bowl – No. 6 Georgia vs. No. 5 Florida State

Thomas: The Orange Bowl feels like the ultimate consolation bowl.

Georgia lost one game by three points at the end of the year, and their run at three-straight titles came to an end, too. Only three points!

Florida State lost their Heisman-candidate QB Jordan Travis, and that loss was enough to skew the opinions of the Playoff Selection Committee to leave the Seminoles on the outside despite finishing 13-0.

I’m taking the points on Florida State, simply because it’s over 20 points now. The Seminoles have been disrespected enough.

Pick: Florida State (+21) | Best Odds: (-110) Caesars

Malcolm: If only these two teams were doing battle in November instead of right now, when Georgia was the best college team on the planet and Florida State wasn’t far behind.

By now, we all know that undefeated Florida State did not make the college football playoffs, and neither did Georgia, which has one loss in its last 30 games.

At the time of this writing, you can find this spread at 14 points at several online sportsbooks, but you can also find it as a 16-point spread with Caesars.

This tells me that the 14-point line will likely move and maybe pretty fast.

Pick: Georgia (-14) | Best Odds: (-112) BetRivers

Brent: A lot of eyes will be on the Orange Bowl on Saturday, with CFP members likely praying that FSU doesn’t pull off an unthinkable upset over the defending two-time National Champions. When this matchup was first announced, the line was set at 14-points in favor of Georgia. After a slew of Seminoles opt-outs, that number has since ballooned all the way up to 20.

If Georgia is motivated to send a message in this one, the Noles don’t stand much of a chance. Laying a 20-point spread seems crazy, but this one has drubbing written all over it.

Pick: Georgia (-19.5) | Best Odds: (-111) BetRivers

Arizona Bowl – Toledo vs. Wyoming

Thomas: Toledo Rockets’ QB DeQuann Finn has entered the transfer portal, and that is a massive subtraction from Toledo’s offense. It’ll be up to Tucker Gleason to lead the Rockets’ offense in the Arizona Bowl.

The Wyoming Cowboys have remained largely intact, and their offense should produce some points more consistently.

Remember when Wyoming and the No. 3 Texas Longhorns were tied going into the fourth quarter back on September 16th? That was weird.

Pick: Wyoming (-3.5) | Best Odds: (-110) Caesars

Malcolm: In their very first game, the Toledo Rockets were more than a TD underdog vs Illinois, and lost 30-28. After that, the Rockets were unbeatable, winning 11 straight games, until the MAC Championship rolled around.

Miami (Ohio) knocked off Toledo in a bit of a stunner, 23-14, to win the MAC title.

Wyoming doesn’t have the personnel or talent to match Toledo, but they have the motivation!

Head Coach Craig Bohl is retiring after 10 years in Wyoming. His next stop just might be the college football Hall of Fame.

I suspect Wyoming will want to end his career on a high note and send off their coach with a Bowl Victory.

I am a writer, I love my Hollywood endings, and who doesn’t love Coach Bohl?

However, gimme Toledo.

Pick: Toledo Moneyline | Best Odds: (+150) Caesars

Brent: The swan song for Wyoming HC Craig Bohl takes place Saturday when his Cowboys matchup against Toledo in the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl. Despite Toledo being without QB DeQuan Finn, who transferred to Baylor, this game should be one of the more entertaining contests during bowl season.

It’s hard to fade Wyoming considering the substantial motivational edge they have between Craig Bohl’s pending retirement, but they also fare very well in bowl games and will have the added incentive of erasing a tough OT loss to Ohio in this same bowl game back in 2022. Give me the Pokes to win outright, but I’m not a fan of the 3.5-point number.

Pick: Wyoming Moneyline | Best Odds: (-170) FanDuel

Friday, December 29th – 4 Bowl Games

Gator Bowl – No. 22 Clemson vs. Kentucky

Thomas: The Clemson Tigers finished their season strong, winning their final four games. It was a different story for the Kentucky Wildcats, as they lost five of their last seven games.

Clemson may have taken a bigger hit in the transfer portal, but I still see them coming away with a win here. Their passing defense was borderline elite and it should still be strong enough to give Devin Leary a hard time.

Pick: Clemson (-4) | Best Odds: (-110) Caesars

Malcolm: Many of us still remember that Kentucky put up 38 points against Louisville in a 38-31 win their last time out.

Many of us are also susceptible to something called recency bias.

I think Kentucky is actually ok. Maybe even good. That win against Louisville didn’t convince me they are better than they are, it made me wonder who Louisville really was.

I don’t like cheering for Dabo Swinney or Clemson, but unfortunately, I think they have reason to play hard in this game and are the better team.

Pick: Clemson (-4) | Best Odds: (-110) bet365

Brent: Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers had aspirations to win the ACC and find themselves in the CFP, however, the Tigers fell way short of those expectations with an 8-4 record. As a result they find themselves in the Gator Bowl with their two best defensive players opting out of this one.

That bodes well for Mark Stoops, Devin Leary, and the rest of the Kentucky Wildcats, who are still riding the high of beating rival Louisville to finish 7-5 on the year and figure to have a lot more motivation to be here than their opponent. Kentucky is a live dog to win outright in this one, but I’ll stick to taking them to cover the number.

Pick: Kentucky (+4.5) | Best Odds: (-110) DraftKings

Sun Bowl – No. 19 Oregon State vs. No. 16 Notre Dame

Thomas: This game had so many transfers and opt-outs on both sides that I’m not even sure what I’m going to be seeing when this game kicks off.

I’m going to use the same strategy I used when I backed USC, and just assume that Notre Dame’s depth is stronger than Oregon State’s.

Pick: Notre Dame (-6) | Best Odds: (-110) DraftKings

Malcolm: In July of 2023, a teenage girl swimming with her father in a Georgia lake was attacked by a rabid beaver.

Beaver attacks are very rare in Georgia and across the world. Most attacks result from a beaver either being sick (rabies) or protecting its young beaver children.

In the case of the Georgia Beaver attack, the teenage girl’s father intervened and knocked out the 55-pound beaver.

In the case of the Oregon State Beavers taking on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish – I will take Oregon State to avenge the loss by that Georgian Beaver last summer and knock out Notre Dame.

Pick: Oregon State Moneyline | Best Odds: (+192) Caesars

Brent: Oregon State had a strong final season in the PAC-12 as they finished 8-4 on the year, however, the conference vaporizing due to every team but the Beavs and Washington State making an exodus to another conference means Oregon State suffered significant losses heading into this game. HC Jonathan Smith took the Michigan State job and the Beavs will be without their top two QB’s amongst several other opt-outs and transfer portal entries.

Notre Dame will also be without several noteworthy players, including Sam Hartman, Audric Estime, their top three wide receivers and their top two tight ends. Phew!

Good luck handicapping this one, I’ll just take the over and hope for the best.

Pick: Over 41.5 | Best Odds: (-108) BetRivers

Liberty Bowl – Memphis vs. Iowa State

Thomas: Iowa State had one of the stronger defenses in the Big 12, but their offense is subpar and relies heavily on one-off big plays.

Memphis’ passing attack, led by QB Seth Henigan (3,516 yds, 28 TD), could be strong enough and consistent enough to outscore the Cyclones.

Pick: Memphis Moneyline | Best Odds: (+330) FanDuel

Malcolm: In a different life, I once had the opportunity to work for a football team that employed Troy Davis as its running back.

A few football fans might remember Davis finishing as a Heisman finalist with Iowa State in 1996.

Davis ran for consecutive 2,000-yard seasons with the Cyclones, which never happens in D-I football.

20+ years later, Iowa State still likes to run the ball more than 50% of the time, but without T.D. in their backfield, I’m not sure they will run enough to cover the 9.5 spread.

Pick: Memphis (+10.5) | Best Odds: (-110) BetMGM

Brent: The Cyclones have been a much different team since they lost an ugly 10-7 game to Ohio back at the start of the season and enter this matchup against Memphis as double-digit favorites.

Memphis will be playing this game on their home-field, and while they played a pretty weak schedule, they did boast a 3,000-yard passer 1000-yard rusher on offense while scoring over 38 points per game. However, they are downright terrible defensively, particularly against the pass where they rank 125th in the nation. The passing game is how Iowa State turned their season around, and I anticipate a high-scoring contest in this one.

Pick: Over 57.5 | Best Odds: (-108) DraftKings

Cotton Bowl – No. 9 Missouri vs. No. 7 Ohio State

Thomas: I’ve been backing the powerful connection between Missouri’s Brady Cook and Luther Burden, and I’m going to back them again here.

Ohio State lost QB Kyle McCord, and I don’t trust Devin Brown to lead the Buckeyes to a win against Mizzou.

Also, Missouri running back Cody Schrader is quietly one of the NCAA’s best offensive players.

Pick: Missouri Moneyline | Best Odds: (+165) BetMGM

Malcolm: This is a very interesting point spread.

It opened with the Buckeyes -2.5. Some places now have Missouri as the betting favorite. (Dec 21/23)

There are lots of reasons to not like Ohio State right now.

• The Michigan loss hurt.
• No shot at the National Title.
• They lost their starting QB.

It feels like a zig; I’m gonna zag.

Pick: Ohio State Moneyline | Best Odds: (-188) FanDuel

Brent: Mizzou had a storybook 2023 as they finished 10-2 on the year and only suffered losses to Georgia and LSU, both of which were much closer games than the final score indicated.

Who Ohio State actually puts out on the field remains to be seen, but it’s expected that Marvin Harrison Jr. will likely sit this one out as he prepares to go high in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Buckeyes lost QB Kyle McCord to Syracuse, but that doesn’t seem like the biggest loss in the world.

Mizzou could very well win this game outright, but I can’t fade a Buckeyes team that usually takes these games seriously come bowl season.

Pick: Ohio State (-4.5) | Best Odds: (-110) bet365

Thursday, December 28th – 4 Bowl Games

Fenway Bowl – No. 24 SMU vs. Boston College

Thomas: The SMU Mustangs will be without starting QB Preston Stone, who is out with an injury, but with Boston College’s defense allowing 193.9 rushing yards per game (124th in NCAA), the quarterback may not be the main offensive focus for the Mustangs.

SMU has three running backs that averaged over 5.0 yards per carry, and they will feed these men constantly and play ‘keep-away’ against Boston College.

SMU will be running all over Fenway Park like Jacoby Ellsbury in 2009.

Pick: SMU (-10) | Best Odds: (-110) bet365

Malcolm: Boston College didn’t really have a signature win this year; it was more of a signature loss.

The BC Eagles may have peaked when they were 25.5 underdogs against Florida State, but only lost 31-29, way back in Week 3.

SMU and their 11-2 record look impressive, but in 7 of 13 games, the Mustangs were at least 20-point favorites, or more.

I’m not sure I have the courage to watch this bet play out, but I will take the Eagles and the points.

Pick: Boston College (+10.5) | Best Odds: (-110) BetRivers

Brent: SMU plays their last game as a member of the AAC when they take on future conference foe Boston College at a cold and rainy Fenway Park on Thursday. QB Kevin Jennings will make his second straight start for the Mustangs after Preston Stone was lost for the season with a broken fibula.

Boston College is a middling 6-6 team with next to no pass rush (1 sack per game) and the 124th overall run defense. SMU has blown more teams out than not, with 8 of their 11 wins being by 18 points or more.

I’ll take SMU to cover the number and finish 12-2 on the season.

Pick: SMU (-10) | Best Odds: (-110) bet365

Pinstripe Bowl – Rutgers vs. Miami

Thomas: Miami is going to look much different, with a chunk of players hitting the transfer portal. Rutgers has remained largely intact.

Both of these teams had solid defenses in the regular season, and with so much transfer portal/opt out fog clouding up this game, I’m going to back both teams’ strengths.

The total will get down in the Boogie Down Bronx.

Pick: Under 41.5 | Best Odds: (-110) DraftKings

Malcolm: If Miami runs out the clock and goes to 5-0 instead of the season changing turn of events that actually happened, they probably don’t end up in the Pinstripe Bowl.

The Hurricanes opened as -3.5 favorites.

Because Miami won’t have either of their top two QBs, the spread is shrinking, and the total is dropping fast.

Despite the steam on Rutgers, I am still all in on the Scarlet Knights.

How excited is Miami about traveling to the Bronx to play Rutgers? I have a theory that the answer to that is “Not very.”

Pick: Rutgers Moneyline | Best Odds: (-126) FanDuel

Brent: Another game at a baseball park is on the Thursday docket, this time featuring a Rutgers team that really wants to be there and a Miami team that may be checked out for the season.

The Canes are dealing with a lot of roster turnover for this one, with third-string QB Jacurri Brown slated to start this one. Rutgers, meanwhile, figures to take this game that’s in their backyard very seriously as Greg Schiano continues to rebuild the program. Rutgers opened as 4.5-point dogs, they’re now favored by 2.5. That line movement is correct, give me the Scarlet Knights.

Pick: Rutgers (-2) | Best Odds: (-110) Caesars

Pop-Tarts Bowl – No. 18 NC State vs. No. 25 Kansas State

Thomas: I’ve been fading some Big 12 teams, simply because they haven’t really faced any tough defenses in their conference. So, I’m not in love with Kansas State here.

NC State, playing in the defensively-strong ACC, should be able to find ways to score against this portal and opt-out riddled Wildcats team.

Kansas State allowed 31.8 points per game in their last four contests, and that was before they were toasted by transfers and departures.

Pick: NC State Moneyline | Best Odds: (+120) BetMGM

Malcolm: Well, college football fans, we did it.

After sitting through 18 bowl games so far, we have our first match-up of two Top 25 ranked teams.

Unfortunately, K-State is not at full strength for this game. Starting QB Will Howard has left for USC. Offensive Coordinator Collin Klein has left for Texas A&M.

The Total (O/U) for this game opened at 48 and is dropping. However, you can still find it at 47.5 if you shop around.

Pick: Under 47.5 | Best Odds: (-109) BetRivers

Brent: Good luck handicapping this one! Kansas State will be without at least 15 players for this game, including QB Will Howard, TE Ben Sinnott and S Kobe Savage. NC State will be without at least 17 players, including LB Payton Wilson and QB MJ Morris.

This game may come down to what backup QB can make the most plays and it’s hard not to like K-State’s Avery Johnson (no relation to the former Spurs PG) as he was a heralded dual-threat recruit that may get the keys in 2024.

Pick: Kansas State Moneyline | Best Odds: (-122) FanDuel

Alamo Bowl – No. 14 Arizona vs. No. 12 Oklahoma

Thomas: I’ve heard some talk about Oklahoma Sooners’ freshman QB Jackson Arnold getting the start in this bowl game, but strangely, very little talk about Arizona’s freshman QB Noah Fifita.

Fifita threw for 2,515 yards, 23 touchdown passes, and only five interceptions this season, and in his last game, threw for an awesome 527 yards and five touchdowns against the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Too many players have transferred from Oklahoma. This is Arizona’s time to shine.

Pick: Arizona (-1.5) | Best Odds: (-112) FanDuel

Malcolm: Oklahoma finished with a record of 10-2 but was only an underdog once in their twelve games. (+4 vs Texas)

Arizona finished with a record of 9-3 but was an underdog in six different games, winning three of them outright and covering the spread all six times.

Oklahoma beat Texas.

Arizona beat Oregon State and Washington State. Neither of those teams is as good as Texas, but they are both quality wins.

When in doubt, I lean on my untested, sometimes reliable Holiday Unders system.

Pick: Under 60 | Best Odds: (-110) bet365

Brent: Oklahoma rebounded in a big way in 2023 in Brent Venables second season as Sooners’ head coach, as he led OU to a 10-2 record after a disappointing 6-7 season in 2022. However, the biggest story entering this game is the job done by Jedd Fisch at Arizona, as he led the Wildcats to a 9-3 record and was a college football bettors best friend with his FBS leading 10-2 mark ATS this season.

The Sooners will be without Dillon Gabriel, who has since transferred to Oregon, but will get a chance to showcase star recruit Jackson Arnold at QB against the ‘Cats.

The Alamo Bowl is usually one of the more high-scoring affairs of bowl season, and these two teams seem to be very evenly matched up. I will take the over in this one and just root for points in Thursday’s best bowl matchup on the schedule.

Pick: Over 59.5 | Best Odds: (-105) BetMGM

Wednesday, December 27th – 4 Bowl Games

Military Bowl – Virginia Tech vs. Tulane

Thomas: Virginia Tech closed out their season on a strong note, winning two of three and outscoring their opponents 131-74 in those three games. I believe this Virginia Tech offense can keep their solid play rolling into the Military Bowl.

Especially against a Tulane squad that has been decimated by departing players and coaches.

Pick: Virginia Tech (-10.5) | Best Odds: (-105) FanDuel

Malcolm: To start my research for this game, I had a look at the opening and current spreads.

You can’t help but notice Virginia Tech has jumped from a six-point favorite to a double-digit favorite.

So you ask yourself why?

It turns out that Tulane has lost their top TWO quarterbacks and wide receiver to the transfer portal.

They have also lost their head coach, who has accepted another job, and their second and third receivers are listed as questionable with injuries.

I’m not the CFB expert my friends Thomas and Brent are, but I’m going out on a limb to suggest those losses will impact the Tulane offense.

Pick: Virginia Tech (-10.5) | Best Odds: (-105) FanDuel

Brent: Why is a 6-6 team favored over an 11-2 team by 10.5-points? Well the transfer portal and coaching carousel claimed another victim when the Green Wave saw HC Willie Fritz take the Houston gig and QB Michael Pratt and leading WR Chris Brazzell II hit the portal along with several other starters.

I can’t in good conscience lay 10.5-points with the Hokies and the weather calls for a rainy Annapolis for today’s game. Give me the under on this one.

Pick: Under 44.5 | Best Odds: (-115) FanDuel

Duke’s Mayo Bowl – North Carolina vs. West Virginia

Thomas: The loss of Drake May will be too great for North Carolina.

West Virginia averaged 234.3 rushing yards per game, and with dual-threat QB Garrett Greene and running back C.J. Donaldson, the Mountaineers are going to flatten the Tar Heels defense.

WVU could win this one by two touchdowns.

Pick: West Virginia (-6.5) | Best Odds: (-110) DraftKings

Malcolm: You know those old crusty guys who talk about fast-forwarding a game until the end because that’s the only part worth watching?

Well – I’m sure North Carolina and West Virginia will put on a good show, but who doesn’t love watching a giant tub of Mayonnaise get dumped on a grown man?

If I was running the Mayo Bowl, I would actually switch it up and have the LOSING Coach get the mayonnaise treatment.

Someone who is sour and who doesn’t want to get Mayo dumped on them as punishment for losing a meaningless bowl game would make for great TV.

As for the game – Tar Heels, even without Drake Maye at QB, will compete.

Pick: North Carolina (+6.5) | Best Odds: (-105) FanDuel

Brent: West Virginia was expected to be awful and coach Neal Brown was expected to be fired at the end of the season. Neither of those things happened and now the Mountaineers get to take on a depleted Tar Heels squad that will be without Drake Maye, star WR Tez Walker, and leading tackler LB Cedric Gray.

Again it’s hard to bank on motivation, but WVU really wants to be here and UNC had ambitions of a New Year’s Day Six game at the start of the year. Look for Neal Brown to get bathed in a tub of mayonnaise as the Mountaineers cover the number.

Pick: West Virginia (-6.5) | Best Odds: (-110) BetMGM

Holiday Bowl – No. 15 Louisville vs. USC

Thomas: No Caleb Williams, but I think USC can steal this game in Southern Cal.

Both Louisville and USC have some transfers and opt-outs, and for forecasting this game, I’m going to side with the potential depth of the Trojans.

If USC is going to reload for 2024, their first year in the Big Ten, then this could be a showcase game for a few of their future players.

Step up or step out.

Pick: USC Moneyline | Best Odds: (+230) BetMGM

Malcolm: I spent a lot of time writing up USC this year and how Caleb Williams just might be the guy to go back-to-back with the Heisman.

Williams was out of the Heisman running early in the season, and now, I’m not even sure he gets drafted #1 overall.

I do know he will not play in this game.

Louisville impressed me by beating Notre Dame and Miami.

Louisville also backed up those wins with losses to Pitt and Kentucky.

If you can get USC at more than a touchdown, even without Caleb – I say do it.

Pick: USC +7 | Best Odds: (-109) BetRivers

Brent: The last time we saw Louisville take the field, they put forth one of the worst offensive performances of the season as FSU shut them completely down in the ACC title game. Fortunately for Louisville, their next opponent is the polar opposite of that FSU team as USC cannot play ANY semblance of defense and enters this game without Caleb Williams and a host of other players that have left Lincoln Riley’s program.

USC is all but dead this season, I can’t see them showing up in this one, and no matter what paper tiger status Louisville may have, USC’s is much, much worse. Take the Cards and don’t think twice.

Pick: Louisville (-7) | Best Odds: (-105) FanDuel

Texas Bowl – Texas A&M vs. No. 20 Oklahoma State

Thomas: Oklahoma State finished with nine wins, eight against FCS-level teams, and those eight wins were over teams that held a combined record of 49-47 (.510).

Texas A&M’s finished with seven wins, six wins over FCS-level teams, and those six wins were over teams that held a combined record of 26-46 (.361).

Oklahoma State had a tougher schedule and still produced a stronger season than A&M.

No reason to expect that to stop now.

Pick: Oklahoma State (-2.5) | Best Odds: (-110) DraftKings

Malcolm: Any time we have a school from Oklahoma taking on a school from Texas, there is a reason to put appetizers in the oven and some drinks in the fridge.

Cowboys vs Aggies is no Red River Rivalry, but it will be entertaining, even if A&M is missing half their coaching staff and starting QB.

Pick: Oklahoma State Moneyline | Best Odds: (-130) FanDuel

Brent: Texas A&M enters the Texas Bowl in the same situation as USC in that they just want this season to mercifully end at this point. Jimbo Fisher is busy bathing in a pool of $100 from his $77 million dollar buyout and Duke coach Mike Elko will take over the moment this game draws to a close. The Aggies will be without 12 key players who have left the team via the portal or to prepare for the draft and again we find another overachieving team with a lot of motivation to end their season on a high note.

I’ve been burned the two other times I took teams named the Aggies, I won’t be burned a third time. Give me the Pokes to win outright.

Pick: Oklahoma State Moneyline | Best Odds: (-130) FanDuel

Tuesday, December 26th – 3 Bowl Games

Quick Lane Bowl – Bowling Green vs. Minnesota

Thomas: This game opened at +5.5 and has since shifted to +3.5 for Bowling Green.

Minnesota has some issues at QB and running back Darius Taylor is dealing with injuries.

I never thought I’d say it, but I like the Bowling Green Falcons’ offense more here.

The Falcons have former Mizzou QB Connor Bazelak leading the way, a decent enough rushing defense, and a MAC Conference chip on their shoulder.

Pick: Bowling Green Moneyline | Best Odds: (+150) DraftKings

Malcolm: If this was a hockey game, I would be super excited to watch it.

Minnesota is currently ranked in the top 10 on the ice, and I have always loved that Bowling Green University wears some sweet orange hockey jerseys.

Who was in the room when Bowling Green was thinking of their school colors? And why didn’t they go with the obvious choice?

Moving on to the football – I’m not sure how you handicap a team like Minnesota, who lost their first two QBs to the transfer portal and their defensive coordinator to a different school.

Maybe you don’t.

Give me Bowling Orange, I mean Green, plus the points.

Pick: Bowling Green (+4.5) | Best Odds: (-120) FanDuel

Brent: There were few teams in the country that were a more painful watch than Minnesota, and that was before they lost their top two QB’s to the portal. Bowling Green’s defense is good, not great, but that’s all you really need against a PJ Fleck coached team.

Bowling Green went 8-4 against the number this season, but I like them to not only cover but win outright. Give me the Falcons to kick off the last week of 2023.

Pick: Bowling Green Moneyline | Best Odds: (+150) DraftKings

First Responder Bowl – Texas State vs. Rice

Thomas: The Texas State Bobcats do not have a defense. Texas State allowed 121 points in their last two games of the season.

The Bobcats will give up enough points to allow the Rice Owls to cover here.

Also, Rice’s freshman QB A.J. Padgett seemed to get something going after taking over for J.T. Daniels late in the season, throwing three touchdowns in his last outing against Florida Atlantic.

Pick: Rice (+6) | Best Odds: (-112) DraftKings

Malcolm:

There is football, and there is Football in Texas.

This year, Rice has played; Texas, Houston, Texas Southern, Southern Methodist, and UTSA.

They can add another Lone Star school to their resume with Texas State.

Although they didn’t rack up many travel points, Rice somehow managed to get six wins.

However, closing the season with Ws against Charlotte and Florida Atlantic is hardly impressive.

This is yet another game where a team (Rice), will not have its starting QB.

Pick: Texas State (-4.5) | Best Odds: (-108) BetRivers

Brent: At first glance, this matchup may not be all that interesting to the casual college football fan or bettor, but this could be one of the more entertaining games of the entire bowl season.

Texas State can be a very inconsistent team, but many of their games become higher scoring affairs. Rice plays at a very methodical pace, but also faced a much tougher schedule this season and could be poised to put up some impressive numbers of their own against a shoddy Bobcats defense.

I like the over and the Owls to cover the number here. But my strongest lean is for Rice to cover the number as they’ve done all season (8-3-1 ATS).

Pick: Rice (+6) | Best Odds: (-112) DraftKings

Guaranteed Rate Bowl – Kansas vs. UNLV

Thomas: Kansas may have lost their offensive coordinator to Penn State, but the Jayhawks’ offense scored 33.6 points per game from a very talented pool of skill players that can keep the offense rolling into the bowl season.

UNLV’s offense, led by QB Jordan Maiava, was solid in the Mountain West, averaging 34.3 points per game.

Neither team’s defense is special.

Pick: Over 66.5 | Best Odds: (-108) BetRivers

Malcolm: A lot of experts will point to motivation for a game, especially in Bowl season and use that as a deciding factor.

Well, Kansas had bigger aspirations than playing UNLV on Boxing Day, that we know.

They beat UCF as an underdog, and they beat Oklahoma as an underdog during the season.

Losing to Texas Tech and Kansas State late in the season has them playing well before New Year’s.

Is UNLV more motivated for this game? Probably.

Will I therefore bet on UNLV to cover the +12.5 points?

No, I will therefore not.

Pick: Kansas (-12.5) | Best Odds: (-110) BetMGM

Brent: A few years ago a bowl matchup like this would never even be considered unless it was for a meme depicting terrible programs, but times, they are a changin’ in Lawrence and in Las Vegas.

Kansas enters this game as nearly two-touchdown favorites, and their offense should see little resistance from a UNLV defense that wilted down the stretch. The Jayhawks are looking for their first winning season since Mark Mangino took them to an Orange Bowl win 15 years ago, and they will get that in a high-scoring affair out in Phoenix.

Give me the over here.

Pick: Over 66.5 | Best Odds: (-108) BetRivers

Saturday, December 23rd – 7 Bowl Games

Camellia Bowl – Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois

Thomas: Arkansas State QB Jaylen Raynor produced an impressive freshman season and proved to be a rising star in the Sun Belt Conference, scoring 25 total touchdowns in nine starts. Raynor is going to put on a one-man show against the Northern Illinois Huskies.

Go Red Wolves!

Pick: Arkansas State (-2.5) | Best Odds: (-115) DraftKings

Malcolm: In their last game, Arkansas State fell behind to Marshall 28-0 before losing 35-21.

Arkansas State was actually a -1 point favorite against Marshall.

It was the only game where the Red Wolves were the betting favorite, except when they played a school called Stony Brook, who are definitely not a D-I school.

Northern Illinois is somehow worse than Ark State.

Under 54.5. If you can find an alt under in the mid-40s that pays out – I don’t hate that play either.

Pick: Under 54.5 | Best Odds: (-110) Caesars

Brent: The Camellia is a beautiful flower, but this is not a particularly beautiful matchup. 6-6 Arkansas State, led by former Cincinnati coach Butch Jones, takes on 6-6 Northern Illinois in a game that will truly only be interesting to gamblers.
The Red Wolves recently hung 77 points on Texas State back on November 18, and are 6-0 this season in games where their offense put up 425 yards or more. Northern Illinois also tends to fall flat during bowl season as they’ve lost seven straight bowls.

Give me the Red Wolves to cover the number.

Pick: Arkansas State (-2.5) | Best Odds: (-115) DraftKings

Birmingham Bowl – Troy vs. Duke

Thomas: In their first six games, Duke allowed an average of 9.8 points per game, and in their last six games, they allowed an average of 30.2 points per game.

Now, Duke’s starting QB Riley Leonard has transferred (Notre Dame) and head coach Mike Elko has taken on another job (Texas A&M).

This is a shell of the Duke squad we saw in early October.

Pick: Troy (-7) | Best Odds: (-105) Caesars

Malcolm: Maybe you already know that Troy University was originally called the Troy State Normal School and was founded to educate and train future teachers.

Or that the school renamed itself the Troy State Normal College when it was time to rebrand.

When a school decides it needs to include the word “normal” in its name, it should set off red flags for potential students and possibly bettors as well.

The thought of supporting Troy in a football game or Duke in anything at all, doesn’t appeal to me. Lock me in for the UNDER 44.5.

Pick: Under 44.5 | Best Odds: (-105) FanDuel

Brent: The Troy Trojans have been one of the best Group of Five teams over the last two seasons as they soundly defeated Appalachian State to win their second consecutive Sun Belt Conference Championship and are looking to finish the season with a 12-2 record just as they did in 2022.

Each of these teams lost their head coach to the coaching carousel, with Troy’s Jon Sumrall taking the Tulane job and Duke’s Mike Elko heading to Texas A&M. Duke also saw star QB Riley Leonard depart for Notre Dame, and will be without stud OT Graham Barton amongst several other players for this one.

Despite Sumrall’s departure, Troy will have essentially their entire team on the field in this one. Look for the Trojans to end the season on a high-note with a comfortable win over the Dukies.

Pick: Troy (-7) | Best Odds: (-105) Caesars

Armed Forces Bowl – James Madison vs. Air Force

Thomas: James Madison head coach Curt Cignetti has taken a job at Indiana and they have 12 players in the transfer portal, yet the players in the portal still intend to suit up.

Air Force’s defense crumbled down the stretch, losing four consecutive games, but their 14th-ranked passing defense, allowing 187.2 passing yards per game, could work wonders against James Madison’s pass-first offense.

Pick: Air Force Moneyline | Best Odds: (+110) FanDuel

Malcolm: I found this quote on the James Madison University website:

“JMU quickly feels like home for all students because this is a friendly community of learners that holds doors for one another, that is eager to meet new people, grab lunch between classes and even try a new fitness hobby.”

It feels to me like the Air Force Academy is about to bully some JMU door-holders and new fitness hobbyists.

The Air Force website does not mention holding doors or grabbing a quick lunch. It does mention blowing stuff up and becoming a Hero.

Side Note – JMU – You should call me to get some help with your website content.

Air Force to score a lot. Over 41.

Pick: Over 40.5 | Best Odds: (-105) BetMGM

Brent: The Dukes reward for a strong 11-1 season is that of the always tricky Air Force Falcons. Unlike many teams in this spot, however, James Madison should match up with this tricky offense very well as they boast the nation’s top rushing defense and only give up 18.5 points per game.

Despite losing coach Curt Cignetti to the Indiana job, I believe JMU will treat this game like it’s the Fiesta Bowl.

Pick: James Madison Moneyline | Best Odds: (-120) DraftKings

Idaho Potato Bowl – Georgia State vs. Utah State

Thomas: Utah State finished with a .500 record, but they were one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the Mountain West Conference, averaging 30.1 points per game.

Georgia State’s leading rusher and leading receiver, Marcus Carrol and Robert Lewis, have both entered the transfer portal.

Georgia State’s offense won’t be able to keep up with Cooper Legas and the Aggies.

Pick: Utah State Moneyline | Best Odds: (-118) DraftKings

Malcolm: This is one of those games where the line has moved a ton, based on players entering the transfer portal and not being available to play.

Georgia State opened as -2.5 favorites, but the line has completely flipped, and now Utah State is a -2.5 fav.

Gimme Georgia State +125 on the moneyline, and let’s tell people we think the point spread shift is an over-reaction in a currently volatile CFB marketplace.

If you say it with just the right amount of arrogance, they will nod their head in agreement.

Pick: Georgia State Moneyline | Best Odds: (+105) BetMGM

Brent: Two teams trending in very different directions face off on the Smurf Turf in Boise when Georgia State meets Utah State in the Potato Bowl. Georgia State began their season 4-0 before finishing 2-6 and are currently riding a 5-game losing streak. Utah State began their season 1-3 before finishing 5-3, including three of their last four to become bowl eligible.

The Panthers lost the nation’s 7th overall rusher Marcus Carroll and their #1 overall WR Robert Lewis to the portal, and just look like they are reeling as a team in general. Give me the Aggies to win outright.

Pick: Utah State Moneyline | Best Odds: (-118) DraftKings

68 Ventures Bowl – South Alabama vs. Eastern Michigan

Thomas: A 17-point spread may be too large for the South Alabama Jaguars to cover here.

South Alabama was just 4-8 against the spread this season, and the last time they were favored by 16 or more points, they beat Arkansas State by only seven points. Also, the Jaguars were favored by 16.5 against Central Michigan back in September, and lost straight up, 34-30.

Give me the Eagles of Eastern Michigan.

Pick: Eastern Michigan (+17) | Best Odds: (-108) DraftKings

Malcolm: South Alabama is 2-0 this year when they play another directional school. (They beat Southern Mississippi and South Eastern Louisiana.)

Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan lost to Northern Illinois AND Western Michigan.

In a battle of two directional schools going H2H – the advantage clearly lies with South Alabama, especially since this is a home game for them.

Pick: South Alabama (-17) | Best Odds: (-110) BetRivers

Brent: The 68 Ventures Bowl features the second biggest spread of bowl season as South Alabama will play on their home field as 17-point favorites on Saturday against Eastern Michigan. Eastern Michigan is by far the weakest team to be eligible for a bowl this season, and to make matters worse they lose starting QB Austin Smith to the portal.

It’s hard to justify laying 17 points in a bowl game, but this Eastern Michigan team is not as good as a 6-6 record would lead you to believe.

Pick: South Alabama (-17) | Best Odds: (-110) BetMGM

Las Vegas Bowl – Utah vs. Northwestern

Thomas: Northwestern’s squad will be largely intact for the Las Vegas Bowl, while Utah will have a few missing pieces in the transfer portal and a couple opt-outs.

The Utes lost three of their last five games and the Wildcats won four of their last five.
Give me the Northwestern team with more to prove, and for the Wildcats to prove to the ever-growing Big Ten that they still exist.

Pick: Northwestern Moneyline | Best Odds: (+196) Caesars

Malcolm: Utah played a schedule that included Florida, Oregon, Oregon St, USC, and plenty of other very good schools in what was a deep Pac-12 this year.

Northwestern is on a streak of covering their last six consecutive games against the spread, and I am sure that stat is starting to get some traction.

The fact that Northwestern gave up 10 points in their 10-7 loss to Iowa should be concerning.
Giving up 10 to Brian Ferentz this year is like allowing 100 points to a middle-of-the-pack college offense.

Pick: Utah (-6) | Best Odds: (-110) Caesars

Brent: Utah enters the Las Vegas Bowl fresh off a really impressive 8-4 season considering the strength of the PAC-12 in its final season and the sheer onslaught of injuries they had to endure. Northwestern managed to go 7-5 and right the ship after an ugly hazing scandal saw Pat Fitzgerald fired just weeks before their season began.

Despite the game being played in Vegas, however, this will basically be the equivalent of a rock fight. It’s hard to pick a side considering the state of both rosters, but I do like this being a lower scoring affair.

Pick: Under 41.5 | Best Odds: (-110) Caesars

Hawaii Bowl – Coastal Carolina vs. San Jose State

Thomas: Coastal Carolina’s offense can move on from QB Grayson McCall, who has entered the transfer portal. The Chanticleers dual-threat QB Ethan Vasko may be a better matchup anyway against the San Jose State Spartans’ 110th-ranked rushing defense (180.8 rush ypg).

Coastal just needs to keep San Jose State’s zesty QB Chevan Cordeiro in check.

Pick: Coastal Carolina (+10.5) | Best Odds: (-110) DraftKings

Malcolm: This is how the San Jose State Spartans closed their season.

Opponent	Spread	Result
New Mexico	SJ St -6.5	SJ St won by 30
Utah State	SJ St -4	SJ St won by 21
Hawaii	SJ St -10.5	SJ St won by 35
Fresno State	SJ St -2	SJ St won by 22
San Diego State	SJ St -16	SJ St won by 13 (No cover)
UNLV	SJ St +1	SJ St won outright by 6.

I’m sold.

Pick: San Jose State (-9.5) | Best Odds: (-110) FanDuel

Brent: After seeing former head coach Jamey Chadwell take Liberty to a 13-0 season and an appearance in the Fiesta Bowl, a little more salt was placed in the wound of Coastal Carolina when they lost QB Grayson McCall to NC State.

Saturday night the Chanticleers will duel with a red-hot San Jose State team that has won six-straight games after a 1-5 start to the season.

Despite losing McCall in the portal, this should still be a fun game with enough points to cash the over thanks to some Chevan Cordeiro magic.

Pick: Over 48.5 | Best Odds: (-110) bet365

Friday, December 22nd – 1 Bowl Game

Tune in to the Live Betting Show presented by BestOdds at 6:00 PM ET Friday for College Football Bowl betting insights!

Gasparilla Bowl – Georgia Tech vs. UCF

Thomas: This game has one of the better QB matchups of the bowl season, with Georgia Tech’s Haynes King and UCF’s John Rhys Plumlee.

UCF plays in the Big 12 Conference, where defense is not a requirement.

I’ll take the ACC Conference’s Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, who’ve actually played against top-level defenses.

Pick: Georgia Tech Moneyline | Best Odds: (+200) BetMGM

Malcolm: The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets score points, give up points and basically go OVER totals. The OVER hit in 9 of their 12 games this year.

The UCF Knights have a better offense than Georgia Tech does. The Knights averaged 492 yards of offense per game this year, which is ranked sixth in the country.

The weather in Tampa, Florida, is expected to be perfect.

When the world says Zig, sometimes you gotta Zag.

Pick: Under 67.5 | Best Odds: (-110) BetMGM

Brent: If you like offensive fireworks, this is the bowl game for you. Georgia Tech enters the Gasparilla Bowl with the 104th scoring defense (30.5 PPG) and the 131st overall rush defense in the country. UCF is not any better on that side of the ball, as they give up 25 points per game and boast the 121st overall run defense.

Guess what both of these teams like to do? Run the ball and play fast.

I have a slight lean to UCF winning this game and covering, but I like the over a lot more as neither team will be able to make many stops in this one.

Pick: Over 66.5 | Best Odds: (-112) DraftKings

Thursday, December 21st – 1 Bowl Game

Boca Raton Bowl – South Florida vs. Syracuse

Thomas: The public is heavily backing the underdog South Florida Bulls in South Florida, but the Syracuse Orange’s defense is the superior defense in almost every statistic.

This looks like the right time for me to fade the public.

Plus, oranges come from Florida. Probably more so than Bulls, right?

Pick: Syracuse (-3) | Best Odds: (-110) Caesars

Malcolm: There are brighter days ahead for Syracuse football fans. New Head Coach Fran Brown seems to have players all over the country very interested in following him to the land of the Orange.

But Brown doesn’t start until next year. For this game, Syracuse will be coached by Nunzio Campanile, who was hired to coach the Tight Ends at the start of the year.

Going from Tight Ends Coach to Interim Head Coach looks good on a LinkedIn profile page, but I’m not convinced it helps win football games.

Pick: USF (+3.5) | Best Odds: (-118) FanDuel

Brent: Another bowl game with one side going through some things! South Florida makes the short trip to Boca Raton to face a Syracuse team that just fired coach Dino Babers and will be without their top two QBs for a game they may not have much interest being in.

Meanwhile, dual-threat South Florida QB Byrum Brown should give a Syracuse defense that struggled against the run some major issues.

Give me the Bulls to win outright.

Pick: South Florida Moneyline | Best Odds: (+150) bet365

Tuesday, December 19th – 1 Bowl Game

Frisco Bowl – Marshall vs. UTSA

Thomas: Marshall’s offense could be depleted with starting QB Cam Fancher in the transfer portal and star running back Rasheen Ali potentially opting out.

UTSA’s offense led by QB Frank Harris should all be out there, and this Roadrunners squad recorded 34 or more points in seven of their last eight games.

Pick: UTSA (10.5) | Best Odds: (-108) DraftKings

Malcolm: People are rooting for UTSA QB Frank Harris (Senior) to have a Hollywood-type ending to his great career with the Roadrunners.

However, they don’t play the Scooters Coffee Frisco Bowl in Hollywood. They play it in Frisco, TX.

Gimme Marshall and the +12.5 points.

Good luck in your next adventures, Frank Harris – but I hope tonight is not your night.

Pick: Marshall (+11.5) | Best Odds: (-110) BetRivers

Brent: The Frank Harris era at UTSA draws to a close after about 15 years in San Antonio as the Roadrunners look for their first bowl win in school history when they make the short trip to Frisco.

Marshall enters Tuesday’s game as double-digit underdogs and will be without their starting QB Cam Fancher as he entered the portal. Chad Pennington’s son Cole will get the start for the Thundering Herd, but UTSA has no portal losses and is just flat out the superior team here.

Pick: UTSA (-10.5) | Best Odds: (-108) DraftKings

Monday, December 18th – 1 Bowl Game

Famous Toastery Bowl – Western Kentucky vs. Old Dominion

Thomas: I like Western Kentucky here. I don’t like Western Kentucky’s defense as they allow way too many points, but their high-volume passing attack led by wide receiver Malachi Corley (75 Rec, 963 yds, 11 TDs) should keep the Hilltoppers in the game. The Monarchs’ 103rd-ranked passing defense is far from spectacular.

Pick: Western Kentucky (+6.5) | Best Odds: (-110) bet365

Malcolm: I know a guy who knows a guy – long story short, I now believe Western Kentucky will win outright, AND this game will go OVER the total.

I wish I could tell you my reasoning, but I have to protect my sources.

Pick: Over 48 | BestOdds: (-110) DraftKings

Brent: Once again another team is greatly impacted by the portal as WKU is down three starting OL, two starters in their secondary, and a key LB. WKU QB Austin Reed will also not play in this one.

WKU had aspirations to play in a bigger bowl game than this entering the season. It’s difficult to handicap motivation, but it just feels like this game means a lot more to Old Dominion.

Give me the Monarchs laying the points.

Pick: Old Dominion (-6.5) | Best Odds: (-109) BetRivers

Saturday, December 16th – 6 Bowl Games

Myrtle Beach Bowl – Georgia Southern vs. Ohio

Thomas: Georgia Southern QB Davis Brin threw 16 interceptions in 12 games. Against an Ohio Bobcats’ defense that allowed only 15.9 points per game, more errant passes from Brin could loom large in this one.

Pick: Ohio Moneyline | Best Odds: (+145) BetMGM

Malcolm: The University of Ohio scored 14 rushing touchdowns this year. Sieh Bangura (7), O’Shaan Allison (3), and QB Kurtis Rourke (4) combined to score all 14 of those rushing TDs.
None of those three players will dress for Ohio, thanks to the transfer portal.

Pick: Georgia Southern (-3) | Best Odds: (-115) DraftKings

Brent: Ohio is down to 3rd string QB Parker Navarro after Kurtis Rourke entered the transfer portal and second-string QB C.J. Harris is hurt. If that wasn’t problematic enough for the Bobcats, they’re also down their top two RB’s (O’Shaan Allison and Sieh Bangura) and leading WR (Miles Cross), all of which have also entered that pesky portal.

Ohio unders were 8-3-1 this season. This screams like the 9th one to close out 2023.

Pick: Under 48.5 | Best Odds: (-105) FanDuel

New Orleans Bowl – Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana

Thomas: It’s a QB battle between Zion Webb of JAX State and Zeon Chriss of Louisiana! Webb completed only 50% of his passes this season with a 5:6 TD-to-INT ratio and Chriss completed 66.7% of his passes with an 11:5 TD-to-INT ratio.

Between Zion and Zeon, Zeon was clearly the more effective QB.

Let the Cajuns rage.

Pick: Louisiana Moneyline | Best Odds: (+122) Caesars

Malcolm: UL Lafayette opened as +3.5 underdogs, and that line has been pushed under a field goal at some places.

Those who know think the UL Lafayette Ragin’ Caguns can win this game outright.

FanDuel is offering ULL at +115 on the moneyline.

If you shop around, you can find better value elsewhere.

Pick: Louisiana Moneyline | Best Odds: (+122) Caesars

Brent: There are two apparent things that you see between Jacksonville St. and Louisiana, and that’s that Jacksonville State has a stout run defense while the Cajuns do not.

That doesn’t bode well for the Cajuns as the Gamecocks have the 5th best rushing offense in the nation.

Rich Rod also loves covering the number this year as they went 8-3-1 ATS.

Pick: Jacksonville State (-2.5) | Best Odds: (-110) bet365

Cure Bowl – Appalachian State vs. Miami (OH)

Thomas: No Aveon Smith at QB for Miami (OH), also fellow QB Brett Gabbert is out with an injury. On the other hand, App State’s Joey Aguilar had a quietly impressive season for the Mountaineers, throwing for 3,546 yards and 33 TDs.

Pick: Appalachian State (-6.5) | Best Odds: (-110) Caesars

Malcolm: The good news for Miami (Ohio) fans is that they will always have the upset win against Toledo in the MAC Championship to remember. The bad news is that since their big Mac Championship win, Miami (Ohio) QB Aveon Smith has decided to enter the transfer portal and isn’t expected to play.

Pick: Appalachian State Moneyline | Best Odds: (-245) DraftKings

Brent: Miami-Ohio enters their bowl game down to their 3rd string QB and are backed with a stingy defense that finished 7th overall in scoring defense in the country. It’s hard to see how Miami will generate a whole lot of offense, but their defense should keep the game relatively close.

They also defied expectations all season after starting QB Brett Gabbert went down, so I’m not fully sold on fading them against the spread.

Give me the under in this one.

Pick: Under 43 | Best Odds: (-110) DraftKings

New Mexico Bowl – Fresno State vs. New Mexico State

Thomas: New Mexico State’s defense allowed very few points this season, just 21.4 ppg, and then they allowed 49 points to Liberty in the C-USA Championship game. Fresno State allowed only 24 points per game this season, and with NMSU QB Diego Pavia questionable, there may not be many points scored in this one.

Pick: Under 51.5 | Best Odds: (-110) BetRivers

Malcolm: A quick glance at the Fresno State season stats page tells me they have covered the spread once in their last eight games (12.5%).

That’s not very good.

This point spread opened New Mexico State at -2.5 but is moving. Currently, Fresno State is +4.5 at Pinnacle and +4.0 at DraftKings.

Pick: New Mexico State (-3.5) | Best Odds: (-110) Caesars

Brent: If you’re unfamiliar with NMSU quarterback Diego Pavia, you’re in for a treat, as there are few players in college football as fun to watch as the gritty Junior quarterback. Pavia led the Aggies to their second-ever 10-win season.

Fresno State will get back starting QB Mikey Keene, whose absence is a big reason why the Bulldogs stumbled down the stretch. This should be one of the funner games from the Saturday slate, and while Fresno should look better than they did to close out the season, I can’t bet against Diego Pavia.

Give me the Aggies to win the New Mexico Bowl and close out an incredible season.

Pick: New Mexico State (-3.5) | Best Odds: (-110) Caesars

LA Bowl – Boise State vs. UCLA

Thomas: The Bruins defense is superior to the Broncos, with UCLA allowing about 100 less yards and six less points per game than Boise State. With both Bruins QB Dante Moore and Broncos’ QB Taylen Green in the transfer portal, who knows what these offenses will look like?

I’ll say unremarkable.

Pick: Under 49 | Best Odds: (-110) DraftKings

Malcolm: UCLA has an excellent defense, at least statistically.

Boise State lost their starting quarterback to the transfer portal and will run out a freshman quarterback making his first career start.

This is an auto-bet for me.

Pick: UCLA Moneyline | Best Odds: (-184) FanDuel

Brent: UCLA lost QB Dante Moore to the transfer portal while Boise State saw QB Taylen Green depart for Arkansas, leaving the Bruins and Broncos with less than ideal backup QB’s getting action in this one.

Chip Kelly’s offense was ugly for large stretches of the season, but facing a freshman QB in his first career start should be enough to propel the Bruins to a bowl win not too far from campus.

Give me UCLA in this one.

Pick: UCLA (-4) | Best Odds: (-112) DraftKings

Independence Bowl – California vs. Texas Tech

Thomas: These two teams can score points, Cal averaged 31.6 points per game and Texas Tech averaged 25.5. The defenses can give up points too, with California allowing 34.1 points and Tech allowing 29.2 points per game.

This game’s total is as high as 58.5 on some books, but can be had at 56.5 on FanDuel.

Pick: Over 56.5 | Best Odds: (-110) FanDuel

Malcolm: Unfortunately for Cal, when you give up 59, 40, 50, 63, and 39 points in five of your conference games, it shows you have a lot to learn, at least on the defensive side of the ball.

Texas Tech opened at -2.5 on the point spread. Everywhere, and I mean everywhere, has moved that line to -3 or -3.5 points.

Pick: Texas Tech (-3) | Best Odds: (-105) DraftKings

Brent: Cal’s defense could be in for a long day in defending Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks, as they lost leading tackler and run-stopper Kaleb Elarms-Orr to the transfer portal. That doesn’t exactly bode well for a defense that was already surrendering nearly 33 points per contest coming into this game.

Texas Tech’s defense is improved, but spotty, and this has all the makings of a back and forth higher-scoring affair.

Give me the over in Cal’s last game before joining the ACC!

Pick: Over 56.5 | Best Odds: (-110) FanDuel