It’s already been a profitable bowl season – if you took the Troy Trojans at the Cure Bowl and the Under at the New Mexico Bowl. Those were our recommended college football picks for the early bowl games, and both cashed in handsomely, thanks to the betting trends and missing personnel for those matchups.
What’s better than going 2-0 with your NCAAF picks? Going 5-0, of course. Nothing is guaranteed in college football, but this week’s schedule has five games in particular that have caught our eye, and as you can already see, we’re starting our journey in the Land of Spuds.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. San Jose State Spartans
Tuesday, December 20, 2022 – 03:30 PM EST at Albertsons Stadium
This one’s almost too easy. The Eastern Michigan Eagles (8-4 SU, 6-5-1 ATS) may be one of the best teams in the Mid-American Conference, but the MAC is the weakest of all the FBS conferences according to Sports Reference. And the Eagles are 0-4 SU and ATS in bowl games under head coach Chris Creighton.
The San Jose State Spartans (7-4 SU, 4-7 ATS) are more battle-tested coming out of the Mountain West, and clearly the better choice for Tuesday’s matchup as 4-point favorites on the NCAAF odds.
NCAAF Pick: San Jose State -4 (-110) at BetMGM
Boca Raton Bowl
Liberty Flames vs. Toledo Rockets
Tuesday, December 20, 2022 – 07:30 PM EST at FAU Stadium
Tuesday’s other bowl was a bit tastier when the total was still 54.5 points, but the Under still has some legs here, thanks to co-defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge taking over at Liberty (Totals 6-6) after offensive guru – in more ways than one – Hugh Freeze bolted for Auburn.
Tuesday night’s forecast also calls for light rain over Boca Raton throughout the game. Delightful.
NCAAF Pick: Under 53.5 (-110) at BetMGM
Independence Bowl
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Houston Cougars
Friday, December 23, 2022 – 03:00 PM EST at Independence Stadium
This is like shooting fish in a barrel. The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (6-6 SU, 7-5 ATS) will have Chandler Fields at quarterback after Ben Wooldridge (leg) was injured and lost for the season during a Week 13 practice.
On the flip side, the Houston Cougars (7-5 SU, 4-8 ATS) will have WR Nathaniel Dell in uniform even though he’s declared for the NFL Draft.
Most online sportsbooks at press time have Houston at -7, but in this case, we’ll tack on the extra half-point to secure that -108 at Unibet.
NCAAF Pick: Houston -7.5 (-108) at Unibet
Gasparilla Bowl
Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Missouri Tigers
Friday, December 23, 2022 – 06:30 PM EST at Raymond James Stadium
This is a fairly easy Under bet, with both the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (Under 7-5) and the Missouri Tigers (Under 8-4) coming into this contest missing key personnel on offense.
On top of that, Friday’s forecast calls for rainy skies over Raymond James Stadium. Consider tempering your bet size, though.
That rain is supposed to taper off a few hours before kick-off, and the Tigers will also be missing three quality defenders who opted out for the NFL Draft:
• DL Isaiah McGuire
• DL D.J. Coleman
• S Martez Manuel
NCAAF Pick: Under 60 (-110) at SugarHouse
Hawai’i Bowl
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. San Diego State Aztecs
Saturday, December 24, 2022 – 08:00 PM EST at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex
No weather concerns for our Over bet in Honolulu, where the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (Over 7-5) will meet the San Diego State Aztecs (Under 7-5) this Saturday.
Middle Tennessee has driven the Over to the pay window in each of their last five bowl games. Bet accordingly.
NCAAF Pick: Over 48.5 (-114) at SBK
