The college football bowl season started yesterday with the first four bowl games being played. There are still 31 bowl games left on the schedule and I’ve gone through them all looking for the best bets. With so many games the bookmakers have a few soft lines.
Bet on every CFB bowl game at the Bovada Sportsbook.
Best Point Spread Bets
- Bet on the #18 Louisville Cardinals –3 (-115) vs. Miami Florida Hurricanes
What: Russell Athletic Bowl
When: Saturday, December 28th 2013 at 6:45pm ET
Where: Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Florida
Teddy Bridgewater is likely playing in his last college football game against the team he had committed to prior to Louisville. Teddy has struggled down the stretch this season, but the Cardinals still average 302.9 PYPG (18th), 150.2 RYPG (80th) and 35.1 PPG (30th).
The big advantage in this game is on defense. Louisville only allows 12.4 PPG (3rd) while the Hurricanes allow 26 PPG (59th). This will be a battle between the two QB’s (Stephen Morris & Bridgewater) and I think Bridgewater has more to prove in his last game.
Louisville has one loss this season against UCF and I’m surprised this spread is so low. Miami (FL) has three losses this season against Florida State, Virginia Tech and Duke. Those three teams have stingy defenses like the Cardinals, which is why I’m betting Louisville.
- Bet on the Bowling Green Falcons –4 (-110) vs. Pittsburgh Panthers
What: Little Caesars Bowl
When: Thursday, December 26th 2013 at 6:00pm ET
Where: Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan
Bowling Green ended up going 10-3 this season, which includes five consecutive wins. They just beat Northern Illinois (47-27) and if they play like they did in that game they’ll have no problem beating up on Pittsburgh who barely qualified for a bowl game at 6-6.
The Panthers had the tougher schedule this year, but they have questionable losses against Navy and Georgia Tech. Pittsburgh has a terrible run game (114.9 RYPG – 112th) and they’ll need to rely on their QB Tom Savage, but Bowling Green has a great defense.
The Falcons only allow 14.8 PPG (5th) while scoring 35.4 PPG (29th). Bowling Green has improved as the season has moved along and they have enough talent to knock off an ACC team. I also expect the Falcons to be more motivated about winning this bowl game.
- Bet on the #10 Oregon Ducks –13.5 (-110) vs. Texas Longhorns
What: Valero Alamo Bowl
When: Monday, December 30th 2013 at 6:45pm ET
Where: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
Texas held it close against Baylor in the Big 12 Championship Game for the 1H, but they ended up getting blown out (30-10). Oregon isn’t a feared defense, but they’ve only allowed teams to score 21.6 PPG (25th) while scoring 46.8 PPG (3rd) offensively on average.
The Longhorns rank 56th in points scored (31.2 PPG) and in points allowed (25.5 PPG). The defense for Texas has held up well, but we have watched the offense struggle to move the football in their last three games. Losing RB Johnathan Gray this season hurt Texas.
Oregon can’t be happy about playing in this bowl game rather than a BCS bowl, but the two losses hurt this team. Many don’t expect the Ducks to get up for this game, but I think the team will. Oregon has a rough 2H of the season, but they can end on a good note.
Best ML Underdog Bet
- Bet on the #9 South Carolina Gamecocks ML (+108) vs. #19 Wisconsin Badgers
What: Capital One Bowl
When: Wednesday, January 1st 2014 at 1:00pm ET
Where: Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Florida
This may not be the biggest underdog, but why are the Gamecocks even underdogs against the Badgers? Wisconsin has lost 3 games (Arizona State, Ohio State & Penn State) and their two big wins on the season come against Northwestern and Minnesota.
South Carolina has two losses (Georgia & Tennessee), but they played a tough SEC schedule. They just beat Clemson (31-17) and my money is on them dominating Wisconsin. The Gamecocks have a solid offense (34.1 PPG – 33rd) and a stingy defense (20 PPG – 14th).
Best Over/Under Bet
- Bet on Over 42.5 Points (-110) in Stanford vs. Michigan State
What: Rose Bowl
When: Wednesday, January 1st 2014 at 5:00pm ET
Where: Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California
This total is way too low for the Rose Bowl regardless of the fact that these are two of the best defenses in the nation. Stanford only allows 18.6 PPG (10th) while Michigan State allows 12.7 PPG (4th), but both of these offenses will be able to put up some points.
Both teams have great running games, as the Cardinals average 210.9 RYPG (23rd) and the Spartans average 182.2 RYPG (51st). Look for these two teams to rush the football a lot and I also expect turnovers to play a role in this low total heading over 42.5 points.