Bets for all 42 College Football Bowl Games

Bowl season is here and I couldn't be more excited. Personally, I love how many bowl games there are and how we get them every day for basically two weeks. So many storylines and so much took look into when it comes to betting these bowl games. Will the QB play? Which team will be more motivated? Have the players given up? Is the coach leaving for another job? These are some of questions you have to ask yourself when betting bowl games. I have done that, so you don't have to. I've given it my best shot to give you one bet for all 42 bowl games. Hope you enjoy, let's pay for some Christmas gifts!

HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl - UAB vs Miami (OH)

The Blazers and the Redhawks get bowl season started with an A.M. kickoff down in the Bahamas. Both teams come into this one 6-6 but I like UAB to cover handily in this one. DeWayne McBride has been fantastic this year and I wouldn't be surprised to see him eclipse 200 rushing yards for the fourth time this season. UAB -10

Duluth Trading Cure Bowl - #25 UTSA vs #24 Troy

Conference champ vs conference champ in this underrated bowl game. This could be one of the better matchups this bowl season with two quality programs who are both motivated to win. Troy may have been looking at a Cotton Bowl appearance if they hadn't lost on a hail mary to Appalachian State. This one is too close to call which is indicated by the line which is currently Troy -1. Troy's defense has been stellar this season but I like this one to have some points in it. Over 54.5

Wasabi Fenway Bowl - Cincinnati vs Louisville

This is a rivalry renewed that I didn't even know existed. The "Keg of Nails" trophy being awarded is enough motivation for me to tune in to this one. That being said I think this may be the most unpredictable bowl game this season. Former Louisville coach Scott Satterfield has left for Cincinnati, former Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell is headed to Wisconsin, and Louisville just hired Jeff Brohm. So who knows who will be more motivated to show up for this morning kickoff in the confines of Fenway Park. With this being a literal toss up, I feel more comfortable going with the under and just for prediction sakes I'll take the Bearcats to come out on top. Under 44.5

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl - Florida vs #14 Oregon State

There might not be two teams with different vibes around their program in this bowl season than the Gators and the Beavers. Florida went a disappointing 6-6, Anthony Richardson isn't playing, and their backup is no longer on the team for reasons I'll let you Google. They now have to travel over 2,000 miles to take on a talented Oregon State team. The line has continued to grow in OSU's favor and for good reason; the Beavers will have plenty motivation to dominate an SEC team to cap off their solid season. Oregon State -11

Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl - Washington State vs Fresno State

This is another one of my favorite matchups of the bowl season. Fresno State QB Jake Haener is looking to put on a show one more time and impress the NFL scouts. This team should be feeling confident after beating Boise State on their home field to capture the Mountain West title. Wazzu started the year strong but three straight losses in the middle of the season ended any hopes of a special year and it finished with a loss to the Huskies in the Apple Cup. I will gladly take the team with more momentum and the better QB in a game this close. Fresno State -1

LendingTree Bowl - Rice vs Southern Mississippi

Speaking of one of my favorite bowls.....this isn't one of them. Good for Rice making a bowl game for the first time since 2014 albeit with just five wins. Southern Miss went a ho-hum 6-6 but did manage to pull off what ended up being one of the most surprising wins of the season beating Tulane on the road. I think the Golden Eagles will try to pound the rock with Frank Gore Jr. and I'm not sure Rice will be able to convert when needed with their limited possessions. Thankfully there will be five other bowl games on this day so I won't have to spend too much time with this one. Under 46.5

New Mexico Bowl - SMU vs BYU

I think this one comes down to who wants it more as these teams had similar 2022 seasons. Both teams went 7-5 and BYU had to beat Boise State and Stanford to even be here. BYU QB Jaren Hall can be dynamic when healthy and he is not going to be 100% if he plays in this games after injuring his ankle in the season finale. I'm not sure it is going to matter as I think SMU has more fire power to get the job done in this one. Go ahead and jump on this line now as it will increase if Jaren Hall can't give it a go. SMU -2.5

Frisco Bowl - Boise State vs North Texas

I think this game will be at the top in most people's confidence pools but I'm not so sure. North Texas just fired their coach despite reaching the conference championship game, which seems to have ruffled some feathers. But despite many winning seasons, Seth Litrell was 0-7 in the postseason and 0-5 in bowl games. That's not going to fly as they enter a much tougher conference in the American next season. Boise State had another solid season but couldn't pull off the conference championship victory at home against Fresno State. I still think Boise State wins this game but I like UNT to cover. This is a virtual home game for them and Austin Aune will want to put on a show to increase his chances of getting drafted. North Texas +10

Myrtle Beach Bowl - Marshall vs UCONN

I am still stunned at what Jim Mora was able to do in his first season for the Huskies. It can't be overstated how bad UCONN was the last few years and to make a bowl game is incredible. The Myrtle Beach Bowl deserves the spotlight of being the only game on a Monday and they have it. I think the Huskies magical run may come to an end as Marshall has much more talent than UCONN does. But I think this will be closer than the experts say as UCONN will be more motivated and have the coaching advantage. The total is a little too low for me so give me the underdogs to lose but cover. UCONN +10

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - San Jose State vs Eastern Michigan

The blue turf in Boise will be host to this intriguing matchup between the Spartans and the Eagles. Do they still dump a cooler full of fries on the winning coach? Man I hope so. My prediction is that Brent Brennan of San Jose State gets the fry (or maybe Gatorade) bath. The Spartans will have a better home field advantage playing at a school's stadium in their conference. Hawaii-transfer Chevan Cordeiro has had a nice season and he should be able to continue it against this EMU defense. I do expect this one to be close throughout but I have SJSU getting a late touchdown to get this cover. San Jose State -4.5

RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl - Toledo vs Liberty

Liberty looked like a team that had given up towards the end of the season with the inevitable news that Hugh Freeze had taken another job. Losing three straight games to end the season against inferior opponents is not something that inspires confidence in this bowl game. Toledo comes in with their head held a little higher with a MAC Championship title to their name. This is the fifth bowl game that Toledo has made since 2016 but they have lost the previous four. I was able to nab this game at Toledo -1 and it is now up to -4.5. I'm not sure i would lay that now with Liberty being able to refocus and move on from the Hugh Freeze drama. I like the over in Boca Raton. Over 53.5

R+L Carrier New Orleans Bowl - Western Kentucky vs South Alabama

This game features two of the better teams from their respective conferences. South Alabama should've beat UCLA and their only other loss was a four point defeat to eventual conference champion Troy. Western Kentucky is no easy task as they actually had a decent defense this year and didn't have to get every win via shootout. I think eight points is way too many in this one. The New Orleans bowl has not seen a close game since 2016 but I think there will be one this year. Western Kentucky +8

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl - Baylor vs Air Force

This one has to sting a little bit for Baylor having to play their bowl game in TCU's stadium; or at least it would for me. There seems to be a couple of these matchups every bowl season where you have a .500 power five school playing a group of five team with 8-9 wins. I'd say this one comes down to motivation and Baylor's ability to stop the triple option. Although Air Force throws the most of the service academies, they will lean heavily on the triple option if Baylor can't stop it. The under intrigued me in this one but I like Air Force to cover and I think they can get the win. I backed them last year in a very similar situation. They were 9-3 playing a 6-6 Louisville team in the First Responders Bowl and came away with the outright win. Air Force +6.5

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl - Wake Forest vs Missouri

Here we have two different ideologies when it comes to winning football games. Wake Forest is going to try to air it, outscore you, and come up with the big defensive stops when they need to. Missouri wants to limit possessions and make it a defensive game. Obviously Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman is the biggest X-factor in this game and by all accounts, he is going to play. The fifth year QB who has shot up the ACC all-time rankings in multiple categories will need to play well and not turn the ball over for the Deacs to take home the win. I think this will be one of the more underrated games with Missouri having plenty of motivation to finish with a winning record in the tough SEC. I am already on Wake -2.5 and I'll take them here again as I think the Demon Deacon's offense will make more plays than the Missouri defense. Wake Forest -1

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl - Louisiana vs Houston

I know we all dreamed of scoring the winning touchdown in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl when we were younger but only the kids from Louisiana and Houston will get that opportunity. All jokes aside, this is a fun matchup. Louisiana regressed a bit the season after Billy Napier's departure but they seem to be a decent ball team. Houston had a season of "what if's" but you know Dana Holgorsen will have his team ready to go out on a high note. I would lean Louisiana in terms of the spread but I like the total more. Clayton Tune will air it out like usual and Louisiana should have no problem keeping up against the porous Cougars defense. Not to mention Houston overs were 10-2 this season. Over 60.5

EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl - Middle Tennessee State vs San Diego State

Is there a better Christmas Eve tradition than watching the Hawai'i Bowl mere hours away from the arrival of Santa Claus? Well for most people yes, but not for me. We were deprived of this tradition last year as the game was cancelled for COVID reasons but we are back. MTSU made the most noise this year with their shellacking of Miami (FL) but had a nice stretch at the end of the season to finish 7-5. San Diego State had a similar season but to be honest, these might be two of the teams I know the least about playing this bowl season. But being the frequent bettor that I am, I know Aztec unders are usually your best bet. The Blue Raiders can put up points but I like this total. Under 49.5

Quick Lane Bowl - New Mexico State vs Bowling Green

This is actually one of my favorite bowl games this year just because I know both teams will be fired up to be there. Bowling Green is going bowling (pun intended) for the first time since 2015 and New Mexico State got a waiver to beat up on Valparaiso last week just so they could get to their second bowl game since 1960. You should never doubt a Jerry Kill-coached football team but I'm going against my own advice in this one. The Falcons have the much better victories this year and should have the home field advantage in MAC territory. I got them early at +1 and wouldn't mind laying it at this number either. Bowling Green -2.5

TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl - East Carolina vs Coastal Carolina

You might think that schools only three hours apart would have played before but this is the first ever matchup between ECU and Coastal Carolina. A big component of this game will be whether Chanticleers QB Grayson McCall plays in the game. If he doesn't, this could be a tall task for Coastal. The Pirates have one of the fastest players in college football in Keaton Mitchell who can make a house call at any moment. ECU will also have a big advantage at QB if McCall doesn't play as they are led by veteran Holton Ahlers who holds many ECU passing records. I got on ECU at -7 but this number as jumped all the way to -10.5. I like the over more than that because ECU has a potent offense but their defense has significantly regressed the last few weeks; and Coastal has the ability to score with whoever is at QB. Over 59.5

Camellia Bowl - Georgia Southern vs Buffalo

Having a quarterback have to play the school he transferred from is another possibility that makes bowl games great. That's what he have with Georgia Southern QB Kyle Vantrease playing Buffalo. Most people didn't have GSU making a bowl this year but they did with an upset over Nebraska and a dramatic overtime victory against App State in their last game. Buffalo also had a dramatic end to their season having to come from behind against lowly Akron to reach bowl eligibility. With a total close to 70 I am going to lean with Georgia Southern here. I am confident they win this game and I am not worried it will be by three points or less. Georgia Southern -3.5

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl - Memphis vs Utah State

Memphis did not perform as well as they had hoped this season but their players and fans should be chomping at the bit as their bowl game got cancelled last year. Both of these teams suffered four game losing streaks this year on their way to bowl eligibility. This game isn't going to be very appealing to the casual fan but sometimes those games end up being the most entertaining. In a game this evenly matched I am going to take the Aggies and all of the points they are getting. Utah State +7.5

Guaranteed Rate Bowl - Wisconsin vs Oklahoma State

Wisconsin will be without their head coach and their interim head coach, Jim Leonhard, is leaving the staff after the bowl game. So who knows what Wisconsin's mindset is going into this one. Oklahoma State has been plagued with injury issues and starting QB Spencer Sanders won't be available as he is in the transfer portal. Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz is also in the transfer portal so they will be equal in that aspect. I'm going to stay away from either side and go with the under in this one which should be a sleeper. Under 43

Military Bowl - UCF vs Duke

As much credit as I gave to Jim Mora at UCONN, Mike Elko at Duke deserves just as much. Going 8-4 in Durham in year one is wildly impressive. I have lost some money betting against Duke this year as I kept expecting them to regress but it never really happened. UCF may not be nearly as motivated in this one as they were one win away from a likely Cotton Bowl appearance. I know Duke will be more geared up for this one but I also know UCF has more talent and playmakers. I'm going to go with the over in this one as I would be extremely shocked if it is a low-scoring affair. Over 62.5

AutoZone Liberty Bowl - Kansas vs Arkansas

Twitter is dubbing this game as the battle to use the word 'Kansas' and I'm here for it. Throw Kansas into the group of wildly impressive seasons with UCONN and Duke. You'd have to think Kansas will be more fired up for this one. Arkansas doesn't really have any standout wins this year besides maybe against Ole Miss at home. Barry Odom their Defensive Coordinator will not be there for the bowl game as he will be UNLV's new coach, which also can't help. Give me the more motivated team to cover and get the win in this one. Kansas +3

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl - #15 Oregon vs UNC

Despite reports being thrown around, it appears Drake Maye will be returning to the Tarheels in 2023. UNC really faltered down the stretch including a drubbing to Clemson in the ACC Championship. They now have to travel across the country to take on Bo Nix and the Ducks. The line right now is Oregon by two touchdowns and that seems like a lot to me despite all of the circumstances. But, sometimes Vegas knows and you have to accept that. I almost never touch totals in the 70's but this game screams 40-something to 30-something. I'll take the over in the Holiday Bowl. Over 70

TaxAct Texas Bowl - Texas Tech vs Ole Miss

This will be a fun one to watch in NRG Stadium. Against all odds, Lane Kiffin is still the head ball coach at Ole Miss. Jaxson Dart was a dark-horse Heisman candidate before the season but didn't really live up to that hype. Texas Tech won three straight games to end the regular season while Ole Miss lost their last three regular season games. I am going to ride with the team on a winning streak and playing in their home state, simple as that. Texas Tech +3.5

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl - Minnesota vs Syracuse

One of two bowl games inside of an AL East baseball stadium, we have the Orange and the Gophers squaring off. This is the battle of star running backs between Sean Tucker and Mohamed Ibrahim. Syracuse is limping into this bowl game after falling off a cliff immediately following their 6-0 start. PJ Fleck has received another extension so maybe there will be some motivation there to follow that up with a win. Minnesota is favored by 7.5 but that's a little too much for me. Surprisingly, the Pinstripe Bowl has been historically high scoring but I'm banking on that not being the case this year. I think both teams will rely on the running game in what will be a frigid environment in the Big Apple. Under 42

Cheez-It Bowl - Oklahoma vs #13 Florida State

This matchup looked a lot more enticing in the preseason but any time two programs like Oklahoma and Florida State face off, it's going to move the needle. Florida State went streaking this year winning five games in a row, losing three games in a row, and then winning their last four. Mike Norvell seems to be the man for the job, maybe a season like Oklaloma's would've had the Noles in on the Deion Sanders sweepstakes a little more. The Sooners were a bit of a mess this year and something tells me half their roster will be made up of transfer players next year. I'm taking the better team and better head coach to win this game by two scores. Florida State -7.5

Valero Alamo Bowl - #20 Texas vs #12 Washington

This was probably the best bowl destination for the Longhorns considering their options. The big question is will star running back Bijan Robinson play in this game, and you would have to think not. Washington is likely disappointed they missed out on a Rose Bowl appearance but QB Michael Penix Jr. announcing he will return next year and the opportunity to beat Texas in their home state should be enough reason to get up for this game. I think either side is too unpredictable so I am going to go with the over in this one. The combined overs for these two teams this season is 14-9-1 with Washington being one of the top overs teams in the country. Over 68

Duke's Mayo Bowl - Maryland vs #23 NC State

You may have read the Idaho Potato bowl pick and thought, how does it get better than a coach getting fries dumped on them after the win? Well, look no further. The winning coach of this ACC/Big 10 matchup gets a cooler full of mayonnaise poured on them. Last year this honor went to Shane Beamer of South Carolina. This game is close to a pick em' so it could be either of these coaches who receives the honor. NC State will be playing either their fourth string quarterback or a true freshman but they have a solid defense behind them. Maryland is looking to take down an ACC team in a bowl game for the second straight year and they will have to do it in the Queen City with a large NC State contingency at the game. I am a big fan of this under as I actually jumped on it early before it went up a couple points. Under 48

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl - #18 UCLA vs Pittsburgh

Okay I didn't intend to make this article about non-Gatorade being poured on the winning coach but this game features frosted flakes falling on the victor, okay that's all. Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been practicing but it is unclear as to whether he will play in the bowl game or not. Pittsburgh comes into this game hot as they won their last four to end the regular season. I would lean Pitt here but the departure of Kedon Slovis complicates things a bit. Considering we may not know the QB matchup until closer to the game, I'm going to side with the over. Both of these teams were over machines with UCLA having an overs record of 9-3 and Pittsburgh a record of 8-3-1. Over 57.5

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl - #21 Notre Dame vs #19 South Carolina

This is another one of my favorite matchups and I expect to see a good one in the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Gamecocks are coming into this one feeling themselves after massive wins over Tennessee and Clemson. Although he won't get mayonnaise dumped on him if they win, ending the season with another win over a big, national program in Notre Dame would be very impressive. Marcus Freeman should definitely get some credit for the way the season ended up after shocking losses to Marshall and Stanford. Drew Pyne is in the portal so the quarterback situation is up in the air for the Fighting Irish heading into this one. I'm going to go with the hotter team, the team more fired up to be there, and the team with the more stable QB position. South Carolina +2

Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl - Ohio vs Wyoming

Ohio was on a torrid run before falling short to Toledo in the MAC Championship game. I honestly don't know a ton about Wyoming this year but I do know they have been a bowl game staple since 2016 and have won three straight. Ohio is only a one point favorite because starting QB Kurtis Rourke suffered a torn ACL against Toledo. I would've probably leaned Ohio but I am going to be safe and bet the under in this one. Under 43

Capital One Orange Bowl - #6 Tennessee vs #7 Clemson

Joe Milton vs Cade Klubnik. Not the QB matchup we thought we'd get in this one but it should be an exciting game nonetheless. We know Tennessee would love to end this overachieving season with a big bowl win. Clemson won the ACC Championship handily but you almost get the feeling that every year they don't make the playoff is a slight disappointment to Dabo Swinney and their fans. We don't really know what we will get from Joe Milton in this one as his only start this year was a drubbing of Vanderbilt in the season finale. Klubnik will have a different mindset going into this one and could potentially lock up the starting job next year with a solid performance and a W. I'm going to take Tennessee and the points in this one in a game I see being within a touchdown either way. Tennessee +6.5

Allstate Sugar Bowl - #5 Alabama vs #9 Kansas State

You don't have to wonder if it's a disappointment to Nick Saban and their fans if Alabama doesn't make the playoff, because it is. But that doesn't mean Bryce Young doesn't want to put on a show in front of the NFL scouts. Alabama has given up a ton more points than they are used to this year but they also have the ability to outscore just about anyone. Kansas State ended TCU's perfect season, but not their playoff hopes, to capture the Big 12 Championship. Deuce Vaughn (classic running back name) has helped this team with his punishing rushing attack. This is a massive game for Kansas State and we don't know how much Alabama will be able to get up for this non-CFP game. I am going to hit the over for this matchup as either side is a toss up for me. Over 54.5

TransPerfect Music City Bowl - Iowa vs Kentucky

What can I say about this game that hasn't already been said? Iowa has one of the worst offenses coming from a power five program that we've ever seen and they will be starting their third string quarterback. Kentucky QB Will Levis is sitting out the bowl game. These two teams just played each other last year in a bowl game. All of these factors plus the fact that the game is being played at the exact same time as the Sugar Bowl could lead to it having less viewers than a high school playoff game. I would prefer not to give myself a headache trying to research and analyze this awful matchup. I'll take Iowa and their stellar defense and maybe a boost from their third string QB. Iowa -2.5

Vrbo Fiesta Bowl - #2 Michigan vs #3 TCU

This one should be fun. Everybody is expecting Michigan to win this one with relative ease and that's what will make it more fun when TCU jumps out to an early lead. The Horned Frogs have nothing to prove, they're playing with house money. Despite the season they've had, not making it to the National Championship game would be a disappointment to Big Blue. I expect Sonny Dykes, Max Duggan, and the rest of the TCU squad to give Michigan all they can handle. I expect Michigan to win this game but it will be with a fourth quarter score. I like the Horned Frogs to cover in this one. TCU +7.5

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl - #1 Georgia vs #4 Ohio State

I wouldn't say they are playing with house money but you could argue that Ohio State is

playing with nothing to lose. They are only in the playoff because of USC's conference title game loss to Utah and not many people are expecting them to beat Georgia. I am one of those people. Georgia is just stacked all around. The only thing working against them is that historically it is extremely hard to repeat as National Champions. I was hoping Jaxon Smith-Njigba would play in this game but it appears that's not happening. I'm going to confidently take the over in this one. Two Heisman candidates at QB and you know Georgia will put up points on this Buckeyes defense. Georgia obviously has a strong defense but CJ Stroud wants to show why the Houston Texans (likely) should take him number one overall in the 2023 draft. Over 62

ReliaQuest Bowl - #22 Mississippi State vs Illinois

What a year for the Fighting Illini, 8-4 and really it could've been better. Considering there win total over/under was four, this season has been a smashing success. The Bulldogs had another solid season which included an Egg Bowl victory over Ole Miss. The question that decides this game is will the Mississippi State run defense be able to slow down Chase Brown? Illinois had one of the better defenses in college football this year but they don't want to be in a position where they have to come back from multiple scores. I am going to side with the under in a game that I think will feature long and few possessions. Under 45.5

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic - #10 USC vs #16 Tulane

Trojan signal caller and Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams is not eligible for the NFL Draft but it remains to be seen if he will play in this game. He has an injury which may call for Lincoln Riley and USC to hold him out. If this were the CFB Playoff would he be playing? 100%. But USC knows they have a legitimate shot to win it all next year and don't want to jeopardize that by having him play in the Cotton Bowl. Tulane has had an unbelievable year and deserves to be in a NY6 bowl. I just think the moment will finally be too big for them. I'm going to take my chances that Caleb Williams plays and hold on to my seat if he doesn't. USC -1.5

Cheez-It Citrus Bowl - #17 LSU vs Purdue

The Purdue Boilermakers find themselves in the Citrus Bowl after falling into a Big Ten Championship game appearance. Aidan O'Connell will be looking to go out with a bang as they take on SEC runner-up LSU. Jayden Daniels was banged up before facing Georgia in Atlanta and was removed halfway through the game. He will end up having almost a month to recover so you would think he plays. Brian Kelly is a competitor and he is going to want to win every bowl game no matter which one it is. LSU is favored by 10.5 which is a little high for me considering Purdue should be a little more fired up to be there. I'm going to side with the over here as I think either team has the ability to put up 40 and neither team has a tough defense. Over 58

Rose Bowl - #8 Utah vs #11 Penn State

Utah should be excited for a chance at redemption after last year's narrow defeat to Ohio State in this same game. With a PAC 12 championship already under their belt, they should have plenty of momentum heading into Pasadena. Cam Rising has been very solid for the Utes this year and I don't expect that to change. Penn State should be ready to make this one of the more back and forth bowl games of the season. I think Utah gets it done the second time around. Utah -2.5