College Football: Picking 40 bowl games against the spread
By Brad Rowland
TaxSlayer Bowl – Penn State (+6.5) over Georgia
This might be an awful football game, and I’ll take the points. The early line movement has been in Penn State’s favor, as the point spread crossed the key number of seven, and the sharps appear to like the Nittany Lions. Penn State’s defense is exceedingly competent, but this is more about picking against Georgia’s putrid quarterback situation and a spot where the entire UGA coaching staff is in disarray following the defections of Mark Richt and Jeremy Pruitt. The Bulldogs might win, but it’ll be close and low-scoring.
Liberty Bowl – Kansas State (+12.5) over Arkansas
There is no scenario where I would lay double-digits against Bill Snyder in a bowl game. Kansas State is a team that I am almost always aligned with, as Snyder and his staff do a masterful job, even when overmatched. Make no mistake, Arkansas is the better and more talented team, but I’ll take Snyder against Bret Bielema any day, and the massive spread gives me the cover to do so. Take the candy and profit.
Alamo Bowl – Oregon (PK) over TCU
The Ducks are just a different team with a healthy Vernon Adams under center. Oregon would probably land among my top 10 teams in the country when evaluating how they are playing at this moment, and this line doesn’t exactly indicate that given TCU’s checkered injury situation. Because I refuse to disparage Gary Patterson and Trevone Boykin, I wouldn’t make this a “best bet” or anything to that level, but I like Oregon here as an undervalued squad.
Cactus Bowl – West Virginia (PK) over Arizona State
I’m fading the Arizona State defense. The Sun Devils rank outside of the top 100 in the country in yards per play and yards per game allowed, and even with an enigmatic offense from West Virginia, I can’t pick them without the benefit of a cushion.
It’s hard to Skyler Howard and this West Virginia offense to take full advantage, but I just think the Mountaineers are solidly better.
Next: College Football Playoff Semifinals