College Football Bowl Games Picks & Predictions: Saturday (12/28)
Gear up for another awesome weekend of college football action with BettingPros! We’ll have you covered with all of our top picks for the week along with our projected spreads and totals to help guide your college football bets. Below are our top picks and predictions for Saturday’s college football bowl games.
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Top College Football Bowl Games Odds & Picks: Saturday
UConn vs. North Carolina
North Carolina is about to usher in a new era in 2025, but they have one more game without Bill Belichick on the sidelines. The Tar Heels will be without several significant players on both sides of the ball, most notably RB Omarion Hampton. He was one of the best running backs in the country, as he was second with 1,660 rushing yards along with 15 touchdowns, but he will be preparing for the NFL draft. UConn is in a much better situation with fewer opt-outs, and they have the same coaching staff from the start of the year, unlike UNC, which has an interim staff for this game. Statistically, these teams were identical on defense as they each had a 0.007 Rush EPA allowed and a difference of -0.005 in dropback EPA per play, but the Huskies have most of their defensive starters. Although North Carolina was by far the better offense, Connecticut has all of their offense intact for this game; in fact they got even better with RB Vita Rosa returning after missing most of the year with an injury. The Huskies have all the tools to keep this game close.
Pick: UConn +2.5
-John Supowitz
Boston College vs. Nebraska
Some coaches allow transfers to play in the bowl game. However, Matt Rhule is against it. None of the players in the portal are on the bowl depth chart for Nebraska. In addition, Nebraska lost defensive coordinator Tony White to Florida State and will have its defensive backs coach, John Butler, call plays on defense. Ultimately, Nebraska began the season positively but lost four of its last five. On the other hand, Boston College finished the season with two consecutive wins against North Carolina and Pittsburgh. Beyond that, Boston College won't have nearly as many opt-outs. The run defense held opponents to only 113.58 yards per game and should continue to find success in this game. It's also likely that Boston College will protect Grayson James in the pocket. Nebraska has a solid pass rush, but the Eagles are pretty connected on the offensive line. Therefore, I'll ride with Boston College in this year's Pinstripe Bowl at +3.5.
Pick: Boston College +3.5
-Jason Radowitz
Lousiana vs. TCU
Like most of these games, the big question heading into the New Mexico Bowl is who is going to be suiting up. Louisiana may be down to a true freshman third-stringer if QB Chandler Fields can’t go after getting carted off in the Sun Belt title game. For TCU they have their leading rusher in the portal while their second leading rusher (who also is second in receptions) has opted out with their leading receiver as well. These were two strong offenses what both ranked in the top 25 of EPA per play on dropbacks. With all these missing pieces we should expect to see a lot less explosiveness. The under is the right play here with a lot of new faces on offense on both sides. This is a total that opened in the 60s and has since dropped. I think there is still plenty of room for this game to go under and will be backing that side.
Pick: Under 58.5
-Ryan Rodeman
Iowa State vs. Miami
The transfer portal/opt-outs have not hit the Pop-Tarts Bowl as hard as other games. Miami QB Cam Ward has said he is playing, but he’ll be down one of his top receivers, Isaiah Horton. Iowa State will be down two edge rushers, Kenard Snyder and Trent Jones II, losses that could be crucial against Cam Ward. Both offenses have been explosive this season and should be in this game, too. The big question mark is whether either defense will get that all-important stop. Damian Martinez and Mark Fletcher have been a solid running back tandem this season and will likely be one again vs. Iowa State. While Horton will be missed, that means more targets for Xavier Restrepo. Iowa State will try to keep up, but it doesn’t have the same firepower as the Hurricanes, and I’m not confident that the Cyclones’ defense will stop the Miami offense.
Pick: Miami -3.5
-Travis Pulver
Miami (OH) vs. Colorado State
The reality of today’s college football is that mid-major teams who have successful seasons get raided in the portal. That’s the case for Miami (OH) who is going to be without their starting LT, two top WR and two top CBs, all of which are moving up to Power 4 schools next year. These losses are detrimental to a Redhawks team with strengths in both the offensive and defensive passing games. Colorado State had a solid run in the Mountain West, going 6-1 and just missing out on the conference championship game. QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi came on strong the last two games of the season throwing for 672 yards and 5 TDs combined. He should have success against a defense that was picked apart by Ohio in the MAC Championship and will be without two starting CBs. Miami was a talented team with a lot of success but the reality of college football in 2024 is that they aren’t the same team playing Saturday. I have no choice but to back the Rams of Colorado State.
Pick: Colorado State +3
-Ryan Rodeman
East Carolina vs. NC State
East Carolina steams into the Military Bowl with head coach Blake Harrell, who took over as interim midseason. He impressed the AD so much with a turnaround, he is now the full-time guy. ECU finished with four wins in the final five outings to get bowl-eligible, and the offense was good for 38 or more points in the four victories. While Harrell was the DC, he seems to know a little bit about jump-starting the offense. The defense still has its problems, allowing 28 or more points in six of the final seven games, so that’s something to watch. The Pirates will be without WR Chase Sowell (34-678-3), as he hit the portal and landed at Iowa State. NC State is nicked up defensively, with CB Brandon Cisse leaving the season final with an injury, joining fellow starter CB Aydan White on the shelf. The defense has been super banged up, and on offense, WR KC Concepcion is hitting the portal, so his status is in question. It’s uncertain who will win this game, but with NC State’s defense banged up, and ECU scoring plenty, and allowing plenty, the Over looks like the best course of action.
Pick: Over 58.5
Daniel Dobish
BYU vs. Colorado
It was quite the turnaround for the Colorado Buffaloes this season. Colorado won nine games and could finish with a ten-win season in their first season in the Big 12. Additionally, head coach Deion Sanders expects all of his players to play in this game, including Heisman winner Travis Hunter and potential No. 1 overall pick Shedeur Sanders. Meanwhile, a game against the BYU Cougars certainly won't be easy. BYU won ten games and is ranked higher than Colorado in the AP Poll. Ultimately, BYU's pass rush was not a substantial portion of the defense. Neither was tackling. If Sanders has enough time in the pocket, he'll make some big throws to lead the offense. BYU can get stops against the run, but Colorado would rather throw it anyway. Meanwhile, Colorado's secondary, led by Hunter, is among the most elite in the Big 12. Jake Retzlaff finished with 20 touchdowns but also had ten interceptions as the starter for the Cougars. He'll make a mistake or two that will cost the Cougars. Take Colorado at -4.
Pick: Colorado -4
-Jason Radowitz
Marshall vs. Army
The Army Black Knights appeared to be one of the more dominant teams in college football this season until they played one of the more dominant teams in football (Notre Dame). They were expected to easily beat Navy this year, but the Midshipmen just wanted it more. But they still have one of the best run games in the country and a solid defense, and at the service academies, you don't have to worry about the transfer portal. LA Tech is the replacement for Marshall, who had to bow out after losing its head coach and 20+ players to the portal. It's not hard to see why the 5-7 Ragin' Cajuns were available to be a replacement. The LA Tech offense is mediocre on its best day, and while the run defense allows 125 ypg, they have not seen a run game like the Black Knights. Army's seniors should end their careers with a blowout win.
Pick: Army -16.5
-Travis Pulver