On one of the slowest sports days on the calendar, Christmas Eve, college football bowls betting helps get us through the day with the Hawaii Bowl. But bowl betting is always a place where everyone needs to tread lightly.
The transfer portal starts to have an impact on NCAAF games at this point of the season. Other programs have seen their head coaches leave the program. There is also now a trend of top players opting out, either to protect their draft stock or nurse one of many college football injuries that can occur.
Here’s a look at the NCAAF schedule, some news, and notes, along with some matchups worth betting on.
Where did you go now?
Over 3,000 college football players hit the transfer portal last season. A similar number of players are set to explore their options this offseason as well. There is no NCAA rule to prevent players who are in the transfer portal from playing in bowl games.
However, many players who have opted to go in that direction seldom play in the bowl game. There are also a number of players, like Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, who are opting out of the bowl game to focus on the NFL draft. Players choosing not to play in these games makes making college football picks on those contests more complicated.
Fenway Bowl could be a bit awkward
Luke Fickell leaving Cincinnati for Wisconsin set up an interesting scenario for those interested in college football bowls betting. The Bearcats ended up being paired in a bowl game with Louisville, which just saw coach Scott Satterfield leave the Cardinals to take the Cincinnati job. Both teams will share the same sidelines in a game Louisville is a 2.5-point favorite on Dec. 17 at Fenway Park.
While Satterfield said he plans to stay neutral in a game between his old program and his new one, both teams are looking to end on a positive note. Cincinnati is searching for a 10th win after falling short in the American Athletic Conference championship game vs. Tulane. The Cardinals had to rally down the stretch to earn a bowl bid and are hoping to improve to 8-7.
Battle for the City of Angels
Fresno State may be the one team that has seen the biggest change in NCAAF odds over the past few months. When the Bulldogs didn’t have starting quarterback Jake Haener available, Fresno State struggled mightily. Since Haener’s return, the Bulldogs have won eight consecutive games and shot up the Mountain West Conference NCAAF standings.
The Bulldogs, who beat Boise State on its own field to win the conference title, are 1.5-point favorites over Washington State, which won three of its last four games to finish 7-5. The Cougars play an Air Raid offense and like to move at a quick pace.
Newcomer ready for CFP
TCU was likely still feeling the burn of not being selected for the CFP in the 2014-15 season. The Horned Frogs, who are 7.5-point underdogs to Michigan, tied for the Big 12 crown with Baylor but fell behind Ohio State in the playoff after the Buckeyes impressed in the Big Ten title game and the Big 12 didn’t have a conference championship game.
When it comes to college football bowls betting, it is important to consider with the CFP that not too many of the playoff games have been that closely contested.
While TCU is a deserving participant, there is a chance that the game could go sideways against Michigan. The Horned Frogs had a hard time with Kansas State’s running game, and the Wolverines are much more effective on the ground.
Bulldogs will be eager to flex muscles
Without having to worry about perennial pest Alabama, Georgia will want to show anyone doing college football bowls betting why the Bulldogs have gone nearly wire-to-wire in the No. 1 spot.
Georgia, while a bit unsteady in a game or two, has once again bullied their way to the top. Most people making college football picks will likely like the Bulldogs to cover the 6.5-point spread against Ohio State.
The Buckeyes have been fixtures in the CFP but haven’t won a championship since the 2014-15 season when Ohio State capped a surprising run to the title game by upsetting Oregon as the No. 1 seed.
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