College football betting guide: How to bet on every bowl game
By Blake Cwieka
Here’s how you should be betting on every single college football bowl game, including the two College Football Playoff games.
Congratulations on making it to bowl season. If you haven’t lost too much money on your college football betting during the regular season, it’s time to double down and cash in during bowl season.
There is 39 bowl games so there is plenty of opportunities to line your pockets and get some last-minute cash just in time for your holiday shopping lists. The bowl season begins on Saturday, Dec. 15 and picks up in earnest with the College Football Playoff semifinals and the Peach Bowl on Dec. 29. That’ll be followed by New Year’s Day and the Fiesta, Citrus, Rose and Sugar for what is always one of the best days on the sports calendar.
It’ll culminate with the National Championship Game between the winner of Alabama/Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl and Clemson/Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl. That game is Jan. 7, so be sure to come back for tips on how to bet that game once the matchup is set.
In the meantime, here is how you should be betting for every single bowl game this season.
AutoNation Cure Bowl (Dec. 15)
Tulane vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
Tulane owns this all-time series at 22-4, and the Green Wave continue to dominate this series, albeit in a low-scoring defensive battle.
Bet: Tulane (-3.5) (Under 59)
New Mexico Bowl (Dec. 15)
North Texas vs. Utah State
I don’t think Utah State will be tested too much by New Mexico. The Aggies will pick this defense apart, led by quarterback Jordan Love who has been one of the most productive players in the nation this year.
Bet: Utah St (-10) (Over 66.5)
Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 15)
No. 21 Fresno State vs. Arizona State
This should be the best of the first day of bowl games. Herm Edwards has surpassed expectations in his first season at Arizona State and looks to end his debut campaign on a high. But Fresno State quarterback Marcus McMaryion and the Bulldogs defense that ranked second in scoring defense will be too tough to beat.
Bet: Fresno St (-4.5) (Over 51.5)
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Dec. 15)
Georgia Southern vs. Eastern Michigan
You have to throw the ball on Eastern Michigan to beat them, and Georgia Southern doesn’t do that with their option attack. I see this being a close defensive game with Eastern Michigan coming out on top.
Bet: Eastern Michigan (Even -110) (Under 48)
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (Dec. 15)
Middle Tennessee vs. Appalachian State
Games in a dome are conducive to hitting the over. I really like the over and Appalachian State, although Middle Tennessee State quarterback Brent Stockstill should keep it close in the second half. In the end, Appalachian State’s Zac Thomas and Darrynton Evans carry the Mountaineers to victory.
Bet: Appalachian St (-7) (Over 50.5)
Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 18)
UAB vs. Northern Illinois
A meeting between two conference championships should result in a fun game on a Tuesday evening. Bill Clark has done an awesome job at UAB after the program was disbanded. He’s turned it into a conference champion in two years. Northern Illinois has one of the leading sack artists in the nation in Sutton Smith. In a close game, lean toward the Blazers who continue their magical season.
Bet: UAB (-1.5) (Over 43.5)
DXL Frisco Bowl (Dec. 19)
San Diego State vs. Ohio
Ohio loves to run the ball and San Diego State has the No. 4 rush defense, so this is strength on strength. As a result, the under should come into play in a game that should be decided late but San Diego State should cover.
Bet: Aztecs (+3) (Under 54.5)
Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl (Dec. 20)
Marshall vs. South Florida
Since going 7-0, the Bulls have lost five straight and haven’t seen a win since Oct. 20 against UConn in an eight-point victory. The same UConn who had one of the worst defensive seasons of all time. That’s enough for me to take The Thundering Herd. In the end “We are Marshall.”
Bet: Marshall (-2) (Under 54.5)
Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl (Dec. 21)
FIU vs. Toledo
The Bahamas Bowl has a history for high point totals and history should repeat itself this time around. The over is the safest bet but feel confident in laying the points and taking the favored Toledo Rockets.
Bet: Toledo (-6) (Over 68)
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Dec. 21)
Western Michigan vs. BYU
The spread is too large for me to take BYU, even though they are the better team overall and may win the game. However, I like Western Michigan to cover and the over to barely hit.
Bet: Western Michigan (+12.5) (Over 48.5)
Birmingham Bowl (Dec. 22)
Memphis vs. Wake Forest
Memphis really impressed last week vs. UCF in the American Athletic Championship Game, albeit in a losing effort to a team that’s now won 25 straight games. Running back Darrell Henderson is the real deal and should have a chance to run for 200-plus yards against Wake Forest and their No. 92 rush defense. Both will score a lot, but Memphis will score the most.
Bet: Memphis (-3.5) (Over 73.5)
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl (Dec .22)
Houston vs. Army
People forget Army is the only team to hold Oklahoma below 30 points this season. Houston has yet to score under 30 points this season. However, Houston is without quarterback D’Eriq King and Ed Oliver who is sitting out to prep for the NFL Draft. With Army’s underrated defense and Jeff Monken’s triple option attack, roll with the under and the Black Knights.
Bet: Army(-3) (Under 67.5)
Dollar General Bowl (Dec. 22)
Buffalo vs. Troy
This is virtually a home game for Troy as they play in Birmingham and head coach Neal Brown is 2-0 in bowl games. I like the Trojans because of the geographic advantage they’ll have to win, but Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson should make this a high-scoring affair so take the over.
Bet: Troy (+3) (Over 53.5)
SoFi Hawai’i Bowl (Dec. 22)
Louisiana Tech vs. Hawai’i
The Hawaii Bowl has hit the over everytime Hawaii has played, so pound the over. It might hit in the third quarter. Warriors should pull out a win by at least a field goal so ride the team that is playing a de facto home game.
Bet: Hawai’i (-2) (Over 57.5)