Here's a look at the spreads and totals for today's College Football Bowl Games, along with my custom projections and handicaps. Here are my best bets for Saturday’s college football bowl games. Below we dive into Auburn vs. Maryland.
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Best College Football Bowl Game Bets: Auburn vs. Maryland
Auburn vs. Maryland
Music City Bowl | Nashville, TN
Saturday, December 30 | 2:00p | ABC
Total: 47.5 | ATL: Auburn -4.0 | ATT: 49.6
Auburn Tigers
- WR Malcolm Johnson Jr. | 312 snaps | Transfer portal
- WR Omari Kelly | 131 snaps | Transfer portal
- WR Jyaire Shorter | 87 snaps | Transfer portal
- TE Tyler Fromm | 151 snaps | Transfer portal
- DL Enyce Sledge | 11 snaps | Transfer portal
- DL Stephen Johnson | 0 snaps | Transfer portal
- DL Marcus Harris | snaps | NFL Draft
- EDGE Stephen Sings | 75 snaps | Transfer portal
- CB DJ James | 691 snaps | NFL Draft
- CB Nehemiah Pritchett | 450 snaps | NFL Draft
- S Marquise Gilbert | 42 snaps | Transfer portal
- S Zion Puckett | 587 snaps | NFL Draft
- S Jaylin Simpson | 650 snaps | NFL Draft
DL James broke out in 2023 with 11 TFL and seven sacks. He was also amongst the highest-graded PFF interior run-defenders in the nation.
It also appears that Auburn will be without four starters in the secondary. That’s concerning on its face. But the devastation is softened by Maryland not having QB1 Taulia Tagovailoa — Maryland reverts to a run-heavy attack with QB2 Billy Edwards in.
CB James, who opted-out to begin his NFL Draft process, was a strong starter who posted an 83.8 PFF grade (No. 29 nationally). He was also No. 9 nationally in coverage grade. James is a potential Day 2 pick.
The starter across from James, CB Pritchett, likewise accepted a 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl invitation and is opting-out to begin his preparations. Pritchett, a three-year starter, was limited to seven games due to injury this fall.
HC Hugh Freeze also strongly insinuated in the days leading up to this game that starting safeties Jaylin Simpson (88.7 cover grade) and Zion Puckett (63.8 PFF grade) would skip this game to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Injury news: Starting EDGE Mosiah Nasili-Kite (176 snaps) was lost in Week 5 to an injury presumed to be season-ending.
Coaching News: First-year HC Hugh Freeze went 6-1 SU and ATS in bowl games at his previous stops. Auburn analyst Kendall Simmons, a former NFL standout, left to become MTSU's new OL coach. DB coach Wes McGriff was transitioned to an off-field role during the regular season to address a "personal matter."
Maryland Terrapins
- QB Taulia Tagovailoa | 780 snaps | NFL Draft
- RB Antwain Littleton II | 244 snaps | Transfer portal
- WR Tyrese Chambers | 122 snaps | NFL Draft
- TE Corey Dyches | 467 snaps | Transfer portal
- TE Rico Walker | 138 snaps | Transfer portal
- OL Ja'Kavion Nonar | 13 snaps | Transfer portal
- EDGE Riyad Wilmot | 180 snaps | Transfer portal
- LB Jaishawn Barham | 478 snaps | Transfer portal
- CB Tarheeb Still | 574 snaps | NFL Draft
- CB Corey Coley Jr. | 305 snaps | Transfer portal
- CB Gavin Gibson | 118 snaps | Transfer portal
- S Tamarcus Cooley | 23 snaps | Transfer portal
QB1 Taulia Tagovailoa opted-out on Dec. 19. He finishes his career as the Terps’ all-time leading passer. It goes without saying that this is an enormous loss. This line shifted from Auburn -2.5 to Auburn -6 within 20 minutes of that news hitting the wire.
Maryland is expected to go with a QB platoon of veteran QB Bill Edwards and freshman QB Cam Edge in the bowl game. That pair is expected to compete with NC State transfer QB M.J. Morris for the 2024 QB1 gig next summer.
RB2 Littleton’s defection elevates Colby McDonald to backup RB duties in this game behind Roman Hemby.
Starting LB Barham transferred to Michigan.
Other opt-out news: OL DJ Glaze and DB Beau Brade are heading to the NFL Draft, but both said they will play in this game.
Coaching News: HC Mike Locksley is a perfect 2-0 ATS in bowls.
The Handicap
Earlier this month, I bought Auburn -2.5 and u50.5 tickets.
With where both respective prices sit as I type this - Auburn -6.5 and 47.5, respectively - I can no longer advocate for plays on those sides. The value has been zapped.
My action is done for this game But if I had to make a play at the current number, I would take the points with Maryland.
While the market aggressively penalized Maryland for the loss of QB Tagovailoa, it didn't penalize Auburn any for losing an impact defensive line starter and all four starters in the secondary.
The pick: Auburn -2.5 | Under 50.5
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