This could be my favorite time of the year for college football games. I absolutely love Bowl Season. I know it’s been ruined by the transfer portal and players opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Still, there is nothing like it. The betting opportunities are immense, and that’s where knowing what players are going to be at their bowl games is imperative.
5 Bets to Make this Week
Texas A&M-Oklahoma State Over 53
Utah -6.5 over Northwestern
Arizona -3 over Oklahoma
San Jose State -10 over Coastal Carolina
UCF-Georgia Tech Over 67
I am looking for value in my Bowl Season wagers. My esteemed colleague Brian Robin, has his three best picks for upcoming bowl games. I’m looking at five I like.
Last time: 1-3-1, overall 20-17-2
Transfers Should Boost Over
The Texas A&M Aggies had a pretty stout defense this year. They ranked 30th in points allowed with 21.3. Also, they were also 18th in rushing yards allowed with an average of 106.7. They were decent on pass defense ranking 20th at 188.3 yards a game.
So, it would make sense to look at the Under of 53.5. The only problem is the defense has been decimated by the transfer portal and players choosing not to play this game. Of the 11 defensive starters, seven of them won’t be on the field when they face the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Texas Bowl on Wednesday.
Conversely, OSU has Doak Walker Award winner, running back Ollie Gordon II, leaning towards playing in this game. If that occurs, along with four of the five offensive lineman playing, it gives the Cowboys a potent ground attack.
Prediction: Texas A&M-Oklahoma State Over 53.5 (-105 at BetMGM)
Watch: Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN or fuboTV
Despite QB Departures, Utah Prevails
The Utah Utes are in a crisis at quarterback. Cam Rising, who was injured and decided to redshirt, is out. It was thought that Bryson Barnes, Nate Johnson, and Mack Howard wouldn’t be available since they all entered the transfer portal.
But Barnes is playing in the Las Vegas Bowl Saturday against the Northwestern Wildcats and that could be a big edge for the Utes. Barnes started in five games, winning two of them. His victories were against USC and Arizona State. His losses were against three ranked teams: Oregon, Arizona, and Washington.
Northwestern isn’t close to any of those five. It’s a nice story, the Wildcats overcoming the firing of Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald and winning seven games to get to be bowl eligible.
However, this is a team that isn’t in the same class as Utah and the Utes will prove that in Las Vegas.
Prediction: Utah -6.5 over Northwestern (-110 at BetMGM)
Watch: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN or fuboTV
Arizona Completes Turn Around with Bowl Win
The last time the Arizona Wildcats had a winning record was 2017. This year, though, the team posted nine wins. The three losses they had – Washington, Mississippi State, and USC, were all by one score.
It looks like the team has bought into Head Coach Jedd Fisch’s system and they seem to be more motivated to win the Alamo Bowl than their opponent, the Oklahoma Sooners.
The Sooners had a decent season, going 10-2. They did get back-to-back defeats at the hands of Kansas and Oklahoma State. That prevented them from going to the Big 12 Championship game.
Several key players won’t be at this game, including quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who entered the transfer portal. Also, offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby left to take the head coaching job at Mississippi State.
I think Arizona wants to be at this game. Oklahoma doesn’t really care. Look for the Wildcats to win outright, and cover the three points.
Prediction: Arizona -3 over Oklahoma (-110 at Caesars)
Watch: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN or fuboTV
New users can place a sports cash wager at Caesars Sportsbook of $10 or more and receive 1,000 Reward Credits, 1,000 Tier Credits AND if you lose the first real money bet you place, receive a bet up to $1,250!
San Jose State Thumps Coastal Carolina
The San Jose Spartans are 10-point favorites over the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the Hawaii Bowl and for good reason. The Spartans have a strong rushing attack and will be facing a Coastal Carolina run defense that ranked 96th in rush defense, allowing an average of 168.5 yards on the ground.
The Spartans were tied for 26th in the country rushing, averaging 186.2 yards per game.
Also, this game is a homecoming for Honolulu native QB Chevan Cordeiro. I get the feeling he’s going to want to have a big game and whatever the Spartans don’t get on the ground he’ll get through the air. I think this is at least a two-touchdown win for San Jose State.
Prediction: San Jose State -10 over Coastal Carolina (-112 at BetRivers)
Watch: Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN or fuboTV
Points O’Plenty with UCF-Georgia Tech
Neither the UCF Knights and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are shy about rolling up points and that should be the case in Friday’s Gasparilla Bowl.
UCF is 32nd in scoring offense, averaging 32.5 yards per game. Georgia Tech is 41st, putting up an average of 31.2 points per game.
Both teams have lost key players on defense, which should make the offense even more prevalent. The Over of 67 is a bit intimidating, but these teams should reach with no problem.
Prediction: UCF-Georgia Tech Over 67 (-110 at BetRivers)
Watch: Friday, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN or fuboTV
Make your first-time deposit with BetRivers in West Virginia and Pennsylvania and place your first sports wager. If your first wager loses, receive a Free Bet, equal to your stake, up to a maximum of $250. Free Bet will be awarded within 24 Hours of your qualifying wager settling as a loss.
