Top five bets for the 2019 college football bowl games. Previews, and picks on the total the spread. Plus six more picks that just missed the cut.
‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year’ – no, not the holidays or anything. It’s bowl season. We have 12 full games of film on these 78 teams. It’s time to turn all that studying we have done by watching football into some winning bets.
The slate is certainly intriguing and there should be plenty of good games. But entertainment isn’t what we’re looking for here. We’re trying to beat Vegas, so here are the five very best bets against the spread and on the total, plus one straight-up bet on a live underdog that has some juice on the money-line. I have two favorites, two dogs, and an under for you.
But first, here are some bets that just missed the cut. Tail if you wish:
Notre: All betting odds are courtesy of The Action Network
Utah State (-6.5) vs. Kent State (Frisco Bowl): Jordan Love is a legit NFL prospect who can carve up Kent State’s 119th ranked defense per SP+.
SMU vs. FAU (Boca Raton Bowl) Over 69.5: All Shane Buechele and SMU does is get in crazy shootouts. FAU should be able to keep up with them to make this one of the most exciting bowl games.
Western Kentucky vs. Western Michigan (First Responder Bowl) Under 51.5: Western Kentucky has a great defense (39th SP+) and a horrendous offense (101st).
No. 25 Oklahoma State (+7) vs. Texas A&M (Texas Bowl): Texas A&M hasn’t beaten a team ranked higher than 48th in SP+. Chuba Hubbard and the Cowboys offense will keep this close.
Virginia Tech vs. Kentucky (Belk Bowl) Under 47.5: Both teams have top 40 defenses and offenses outside the top 58.
No. 18 Minnesota vs. No. 12 Auburn (Outback Bowl) Over 52.5: Alabama’s receiving corps did damage to Auburn’s secondary – Rashad Bateman and Tyler Johnson can do the same.
Now on to my top five bets for bowl season. All bowl information, statistics, records, and scores are from ESPN unless otherwise stated. I reference Bill Connelly’s SP+ rankings often, which measure offensive and defensive efficiency and can also be found at ESPN. Lines and totals are according to The Action Network and are accurate as of Dec. 19.