Even after going 2-3 last week with my all-college bowl edition of 5 Bets, I’m going to stick with those games. This week, I’m again taking five bowl games in the hopes I can better my dismal showing last week.
5 Bets to Make this Week
Georgia Bulldogs -20 over Florida State Seminoles
Ole Miss Rebels moneyline (+170) over Penn State Nittany Lions
Wyoming Cowboys -3.5 over Toledo Rockets
Oregon Ducks -16.5 over Liberty Flames
LSU Tigers -10 over Wisconsin Badgers
The Georgia-Florida State odds is a big number to lay but I feel confident that the Bulldogs are for real. I’m not so sure about FSU. The Seminoles aren’t the only pretender I see getting exposed. Toledo and Liberty should be brought back to earth as well. For other bowl game predictions click here.
Last week: 2-3, overall 22-20-2
Georgia Steamrolls FSU
Listen, it was terrible what the College Football Playoff selection committee did to the Florida State Seminoles. For the first time in the CFP, they shut out an undefeated Power 5 team.
While that was an injustice, it wasn’t entirely unjustified. That’s what the Georgia Bulldogs are going to prove on Saturday at the Orange Bowl.
The Bulldogs opened as a 13.5-point favorite and it has climbed all the way to 19. Fellow ACC member Louisville did FSU no favors by getting stomped by a depleted USC team in Wednesday’s Holiday Bowl.
Georgia was the No. 1 team for most of the year before losing to Alabama in the SEC Championship. The team felt they should have a spot in the CFP as well. They’re mad and they’re going to take it out on the Seminoles.
Look for at least a three-touchdown victory.
Prediction: Bulldogs -20 over Seminoles (-110 at Caesars)
Watch: Saturday, Noon ET, ESPN or fuboTV
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Ole Miss Wins Close Game
This is a tough game to handicap because on paper the teams look so even. The Ole Miss Rebels and Penn State Nittany Lions both have two losses on the season. Both lost to quality opponents. The Rebels lost to Alabama and Georgia. The Nittany Lions were defeated by Michigan and Ohio State.
I’m going to take into account two factors in my decision to back Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. The first is the strength of the SEC versus the Big Ten. The second is the value I am getting taking the Rebels on the moneyline at +170. Those are odds I’m excited about considering I think the Rebels are the better team.
Prediction: Rebels moneyline over Nittany Lions (+170 at Caesars)
Watch: Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN or fuboTV
Missing QB Dooms Toledo
USC proved to be the anomaly when it comes to missing your starting quarterback. Miller Moss did have 11 games under his belt when he led the Trojans to a thrashing of Louisville.
The Toledo Rockets don’t have a backup with that type of experience. Losing Dequan Finn to the transfer portal should prove a big blow to the Rockets when they face the Wyoming Cowboys in the Arizona Bowl.
Tucker Gleason will be pressed into service and he only has 199 yards total passing. The team does get leading rusher Peny Boone, but expect Wyoming to stack the box and make Gleason beat them with his arm.
Toledo has a stout defense but with little offense I see Wyoming coming out on top.
Prediction: Cowboys -3.5 over the Rockets (-105 at BetMGM)
Watch: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, CW Network or fuboTV
Nix Goes Out on High Note
Oregon Ducks QB Bo Nix had a solid year this season and just missed out getting his team to the CFP. The Liberty Flames had an undefeated season under first-year coach Jamey Chadwell.
So why are the Flames 16.5-point underdogs in the Fiesta Bowl? Because they frankly didn’t beat anyone of note. Now they are going to face a Power 5 team whose senior signal caller wants to go out on a high note.
The Ducks are stronger, faster, and more talented than the Flames. That should be evident by halftime of the Fiesta Bowl.
Prediction: Ducks -16.5 over the Flames (-105 at BetRivers)
Watch: Monday, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN or fuboTV
No Daniels, No Problem
If a team lost their Heisman Trophy winning QB it would be cause for concern. The LSU Tigers fortunately have a more than capable backup for Jayden Daniels, who pulled out of the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Garrett Nussmeier actually at one point was competing with Daniels for the starting job. He also has the benefit of having several offensive weapons, including Biletnikoff Award winner Malik Nabers.
They will take on a Wisconsin Badgers team that was riddled with injuries this season. They never really reached their potential, finishing 9-3.
The trends definitely favor LSU. Wisconsin is 4-6-2 against the spread this season, while LSU is 8-4.
Prediction: Tigers -10 over the Badgers (-110 at BetRivers)
Watch: Monday, Noon ET, ESPN2 or fuboTV
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