Bowl season upon us! As with every year, I must warn you that I am not an expert. You should not follow my gambling advice. If you have a gambling problem, please call 1-800-GAMBLER. With that out of the way…
This should be your definitive guide to betting on bowl games. Last year I had a 55% success rate of picking winners. Actually that was probably my worst year. I should also throw the caveat in there that these odds could change. Also, if you are betting, make sure you check to see who is opting out of games. That can obviously make a big difference. The rankings I used are from my week 14 rankings.
Okay, on to the games!
Bahamas Bowl–December 16th at 11:30 a.m.
Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas
Miami RedHawks (6-6) vs. UAB Blazers (6-6)
Favorite: UAB (-11.0)
O/U: 44.0
My Score Prediction: 38-21 UAB
My Take: Every year I fall in love with MAC schools and think they will do well in the bowl games. So this year I am going against my heart and taking UAB.
Cure Bowl–December 16th at 3:00 p.m.
Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida
#20 Troy Trojans (11-2) vs. #21 UTSA Roadrunners (11-2)
Favorite: UTSA (-1.5)
O/U: 55.0
My Score Prediction: 35-31 Troy
My Take: This has the potential to be a great game. Troy’s defense versus the Roadrunners offense, should be good. The Trojans offense has been rolling the past few weeks, hence why I think the over is a good call.
Fenway Bowl–December 17th at 11:00 a.m.
Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts
Cincinnati Bearcats (9-3) vs. Louisville Cardinals (7-5)
Favorite: Louisville (-2.5)
O/U: 44.5
My Score Prediction: 24-21 Cincinnati
My Take: The Bearcats love a close game. Louisville has a disadvantage going up against their own coach.
Celebration Bowl–December 17th at 12:00 p.m.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
Jackson State Tigers (12-0) vs. North Carolina Central Eagles (9-2)
Favorite: JSU (-16.5)
O/U: 56.0
My Score Prediction: 49-35 Jackson State
My Take: Prime Time will get a win against the high-scoring Eagles in his final game for Jackson State before heading off to Colorado. I think NCC scores a late touchdown to beat the spread.
New Mexico Bowl–December 17th at 2:15 p.m.
University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico
SMU Mustangs (7-5) vs. BYU Cougars (7-5)
Favorite: BYU (-1.5)
O/U: 74.0
My Score Prediction: 35-31 SMU
My Take: I think the Mustangs will finally pull off a close win. It seems like they lost a bunch of games this year by one score.
LA Bowl–December 17th at 3:30 p.m.
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California
Washington State Cougars (7-5) vs. Fresno State Bulldogs (9-4)
Favorite: WSU (-2.5)
O/U: 54.0
My Score Prediction: 21-17 Fresno State
My Take: Fresno State won eight in a row after starting the season off 1-4. I think they take down the Cougars in a tough battle.
LendingTree Bowl–December 17th at 5:45 p.m.
Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama
Rice Owls (5-7) vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles (6-6)
Favorite: Southern Miss (-6.0)
O/U: 48.0
My Score Prediction: 20-10 Southern Miss
My Take: A weird year when there are not enough six win teams to fill all the bowl games. And the best 5-7 team is Rice??? I think this is an easy win for the Golden Eagles.
Las Vegas Bowl–December 17th at 7:30 p.m.
Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada
Florida Gators (6-6) vs. #17 Oregon State Beavers
Favorite: Oregon State (-7.5)
O/U: 54.0
My Score Prediction: 31-13 Oregon State
My Take: Remember when the Gators beat Utah in week one? Things looked good for Billy Napier, but then things took a downturn. Florida is not very good, and they do not have their QB. This should be an easy win for the Beavers.
Frisco Bowl–December 17th at 9:15 p.m.
Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas
North Texas Mean Green (7-6) vs. Boise State Broncos (9-4)
Favorite: Boise State (-8.5)
O/U: 55.5
My Score Prediction: 27-17 Boise State
My Take: I think Boise State wins this one easily, but it is not a pretty game.
Myrtle Beach Bowl–December 19th at 2:30 p.m.
Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina
Marshall Thundering Herd (8-4) vs. UConn Huskies (6-6)
Favorite: Marshall (-10.5)
O/U: 40.0
My Score Prediction: 21-18 UConn
My Take: This is a bold pick, but Jim Mora’s Huskies have played well at the end of the year. I think they stun Marshall.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl–December 20th at 3:30 p.m.
Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho
Eastern Michigan Eagles (8-4) vs. San Jose State Spartans (7-4)
Favorite: SJSU (-4.5)
O/U: 53.5
My Score Prediction: 35-28 San Jose State
My Take: Again, I am not buying the Eagles.
Boca Raton Bowl–December 20th at 7:30 p.m.
FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida
Liberty Flames (8-4) vs. Toledo Rockets (8-5)
Favorite: Toledo (-1.5)
O/U: 54.0
My Score Prediction: 23-17 Toledo
My Take: Liberty flamed out at the end of the year. Then their coach ran off to Auburn. Now they have Chadwell from Coastal Carolina. Toledo…won the MAC and…look, I hate Liberty and I will not pick them.
New Orleans Bowl–December 21st at 9:00 p.m.
Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-5) vs. South Alabama Jaguars (10-2)
Favorite: South Alabama (-5.0)
O/U: 60.5
My Score Prediction: 34-21 South Alabama
My Take: The Jaguars lost an incredibly close game to UCLA, as well as a tight defensive battle with Troy. If the Sun Belt ditched divisions, they would have played Troy for the championship instead of Coastal. Divisions suck.
Armed Forces Bowl–December 22nd at 7:30 p.m.
Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas
Baylor Bears (6-6) vs. Air Force Falcons (9-3)
Favorite: Baylor (-6.5)
O/U: 47.0
My Score Prediction: 27-10 Baylor
My Take: I think Baylor is one of the better 6-6 teams out there. The Big XII was tough this year. Many of those teams would have won the G5 conferences fairly easily.
Independence Bowl–December 23rd at 3:00 p.m.
Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (6-6) vs. Houston Cougars (7-5)
Favorite: Houston (-5.0)
O/U: 60.5
My Score Prediction: 35-28 Houston
My Take: This is a battle of two teams that were much better last year, and honestly they are probably both better than their record. I think Houston wins a good game.
Gasparilla Bowl–December 23rd at 6:30 p.m.
Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (7-5) vs. Missouri Tigers (6-6)
Favorite: Wake (-3.5)
O/U: 62.0
My Score Prediction: 41-27 Wake Forest
My Take: I have a feeling this could be a high-scoring game (as long as Hartman plays–is there a chance he opts out?). I do not think Mizzou is that good, so WF should win this easily.
Hawai’i Bowl–December 24th at 8:00 p.m.
Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, Hawai’i
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (7-5) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (7-5)
Favorite: SDSU (-3.5)
O/U: 47.0
My Score Prediction: 17-14 Middle Tennessee
My Take: I hope I am wrong completely. I want this to be a crazy, shootout.
Quick Lane Bowl–December 26th at 2:30 p.m.
Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan
New Mexico State Aggies (6-6) vs. Bowling Green Falcons (6-6)
Favorite: BG (-2.0)
O/U: 49.5
My Score Prediction: 21-14 Bowling Green
My Take: New Mexico State? Come on Falcons, take them down.
Camellia Bowl–December 27th at 12:00 pm.
Crampton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama
Georgia Southern Eagles (6-6) vs. Buffalo Bulls (6-6)
Favorite: GSU (-4.0)
O/U: 63.5
My Score Prediction: 37-32 Georgia Southern
My Take: This will be one of those fun games. MAC vs. Sun Belt. Defense optional a few days after Christmas. I think the Eagles pull it out.
First Responder Bowl–December 27th at 3:15 p.m.
Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas
Memphis Tigers (6-6) vs. Utah State Aggies (6-6)
Favorite: Memphis (-7.0)
O/U: 61.5
My Score Prediction: 41-31 Memphis
My Take: The Tigers were another one of those teams that are a bit better than their record.
Birmingham Bowl–December 27th at 6:45 p.m.
Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (9-3) vs. East Carolina Pirates (7-5)
Favorite: East Carolina (-9.5)
O/U: 63.0
My Score Prediction: 34-21 East Carolina
My Take: Down a coach and playing a pretty good East Carolina team? Yeah, I give the Chanticleers zero chance here.
Guaranteed Rate Bowl–December 27th at 10:15 p.m.
Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona
Wisconsin Badgers (6-6) vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-5)
Favorite: Wisconsin (-3.5)
O/U: 48.5
My Score Prediction: 14-10 Wisconsin
My Take: This will not be a pretty game. The Cowboys completely fell apart, and I am guessing they do not have their QB. I doubt the Badgers do either, but…that is probably a positive.
Military Bowl–December 28th at 2:00 p.m.
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland
UCF Knights (9-4) vs. Duke Blue Devils (8-4)
Favorite: UCF -2.5
O/U: 61.5
My Score Prediction: 45-41 UCF
My Take: Both teams like to score. I think the Knights win a very back-and-forth game.
Liberty Bowl–December 28th at 5:30 p.m.
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee
Kansas Jayhawks (6-6) vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (6-6)
Favorite: Arkansas (-5.0)
O/U: 67.5
My Score Prediction: 27-17 Arkansas
My Take: The Razorbacks are a good team. I was sold on them in the preseason, and I am totally convinced they are close to being back as a SEC contender.
Holiday Bowl–December 28th at 8:00 p.m.
Petco Park in San Diego, California
#14 Oregon Ducks (9-3) vs. UNC Tar Heels (9-4)
Favorite: Oregon (-10.5)
O/U: 74.0
My Score Prediction: 41-17 Oregon
My Take: The Ducks are just that much better than UNC. It will not be close.
Texas Bowl–December 28th at 9:00 p.m.
NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas
Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-5) vs. Ole Miss Rebels (8-4)
Favorite: Ole Miss (-4.0)
O/U: 65.5
My Score Prediction: 45-42 Texas Tech
My Take: Texas Tech will shock the Rebels in a shootout.
Pinstripe Bowl–December 29th at 2:00 p.m.
Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York
Syracuse Orange (7-5) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-4)
Favorite: Minnesota (-7.5)
O/U: 42.0
My Score Prediction: 21-14 Minnesota
My Take: This should be a solid running battle, especially if they are both playing backup QBs.
Cheez-It Bowl–December 29th at 5:30 p.m.
Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida
Oklahoma Sooners (6-6) vs. #13 Florida State Seminoles (9-3)
Favorite: FSU (-8.0)
O/U: 62.0
My Score Prediction: 48-28 Florida State
My Take: The Seminoles will give Oklahoma a beatdown and it will be a good stepping stone for next season.
Alamo Bowl–December 29th at 9:00 p.m.
Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
#19 Texas Longhorns (8-4) vs. #12 Washington Huskies (10-2)
Favorite: Texas (-6.0)
O/U: 68.0
My Score Prediction: 45-41 Washington
My Take: No defense in this game. I think Penix puts on a performance and takes down the Longhorns.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl–December 30th at 12:00 p.m.
Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina
Maryland Terrapins (7-5) vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack (8-4)
Favorite: Maryland (-1.5)
O/U: 45.5
My Score Prediction: 31-20 Maryland
My Take: I have said all year that if Maryland were in the ACC, they would probably be a 9 or 10 win team. Here is a chance to prove that for me.
Sun Bowl–December 30th at 2:00 p.m.
Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas
Pitt Panthers (8-4) vs. #22 UCLA Bruins (9-3)
Favorite: UCLA (-4.0)
O/U: 60.5
My Score Prediction: 38-24 UCLA
My Take: The Bruins win easily, although I could see this game getting out of hand. Pac-12 teams do not like playing defense.
Gator Bowl–December 30th at 3:30 p.m.
TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida
#23 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-4) vs. #18 South Carolina Gamecocks (8-4)
Favorite: Notre Dame (-3.0)
O/U: 51.5
My Score Prediction: 28-24 South Carolina
My Take: The Gamecocks continue their run of great play. They both beat Clemson, which is a cool coincidence. I think having a better QB is the difference, Rattler wins it for South Carolina.
Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl–December 30th at 4:30 p.m.
Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona
Ohio Bobcats (9-4) vs. Wyoming Cowboys (7-5)
Favorite: Ohio (-2.0)
O/U: 42.5
My Score Prediction: 13-7 Wyoming
My Take: I was an Ohio believer a few weeks ago, but now? Nahhhh. I think they choke against Wyoming.
Orange Bowl–December 30th at 8:00 p.m.
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida
#7 Tennessee Volunteers (10-2) vs. #11 Clemson Tigers (11-2)
Favorite: Clemson (-5.5)
O/U: 63.0
My Score Prediction: 35-32 Tennessee
My Take: Joe Milton is no Hendon Hooker, but he is also not awful. I have no clue what the hell Clemson is doing at QB. Is it DJ or is he done since he entered the portal? How good is Cade Klubnik??? Yeah, there are definitely questions. I am taking the Volunteers.
Sugar Bowl–December 31st at 12:00 p.m.
Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana
#5 Alabama Crimson Tide (10-2) vs. #9 Kansas State Wildcats (10-3)
Favorite: Alabama (-5.0)
O/U: 56.0
My Score Prediction: 33-17 Alabama
My Take: Everyone thinks the Crimson Tide will not be motivated for this game since it is not the CFP. I made that mistake a few years ago. I am not making that mistake again.
Music City Bowl–December 31st at 12:00 p.m.
Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee
Iowa Hawkeyes (7-5) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (7-5)
Favorite: UK (-3.0)
O/U: 31.5
My Score Prediction: 13-10 Kentucky
My Take: Levis declared for the NFL, so he is out, right? This will be an ugly game with almost no scoring. So a typical Iowa game.
ReliaQuest Bowl–January 2nd at 12:00 p.m.
Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida
#24 Mississippi State Bulldogs (8-4) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (8-4)
Favorite: Mississippi State (-2.0)
O/U: 46.5
My Score Prediction: 35-14 Mississippi State
My Take: Illinois is a good story. They should be playing Syracuse in a bowl game. How cool would that be? But instead, they will get beat up by the Bulldogs.
Cotton Bowl Classic–January 2nd at 1:00 p.m.
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
#15 Tulane Green Wave (11-2) vs. #10 USC Trojans (11-2)
Favorite: USC (-2.5)
O/U: 63.5
My Score Prediction: 55-42 USC
My Take: Zero defense, but luckily for the Trojans, the Green Wave do not have the firepower to keep up.
Citrus Bowl–January 2nd at 1:00 p.m.
Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida
#16 LSU Tigers (9-4) vs. Purdue Boilermakers (8-5)
Favorite: LSU (-10.0)
O/U: 58.0
My Score Prediction: 35-27 LSU
My Take: Purdue will hang with the Tigers, but in the end LSU will prevail.
Rose Bowl–January 2nd at 5:00 p.m.
Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California
#6 Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2) vs. #8 Utah Utes (10-3)
Favorite: Utah -2.5
O/U: 52.5
My Score Prediction: 28-24 PSU
My Take: These teams are very similar. I think the Nittany Lions have the playmakers to pull out the win, but it will be a nerve wracking affair.
CFP Semifinal–Fiesta Bowl–December 31st at 4:00 p.m.
State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
#3 TCU Horned Frogs (12-1) vs. #2 Michigan Wolverines (13-0)
Favorite: Michigan (-7.5)
O/U: 59.5
My Score Prediction: 31-24 Michigan
My Take: It will be 14-13 at halftime. Then Michigan will do their thing: pound, pound, pound. The TCU defense will wear down, and the points will add up. The Horned Frogs will score late to bring it within one score.
CFP Semifinal–Peach Bowl–December 31st at 8:00 p.m.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
#4 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1) vs. #1 Georgia Bulldogs (13-0)
Favorite: Georgia (-6.5)
O/U: 61.5
My Score Prediction: 31-28 Ohio State
My Take: I just have this weird feeling that Ohio State will pull off the upset.
