Bowl Game Preview: New Year’s Bowls

The college football season ran relatively smooth, however with COVID cases on the rise, bowl games are starting to become cancelled and rescheduled. The Hawai’i Bowl, featuring Memphis and Hawai’i was the first bowl cancelled because of a COVID outbreak (a day before the game). Now, the Fenway Bowl, Military Bowl, and Arizona Bowls have all been cancelled too. The Holiday Bowl is currently looking for an opponent for NC State to play, as UCLA has bowed out with COVID. Furthermore, the Gator Bowl and Sun Bowl have found other opponents to fill in and continue. Before betting on the New Year’s bowls, learn all the best football betting strategies.

Odds for the New Year’s Bowls

One of the best New Year’s Bowls is the Rose Bowl, which highlights #11 Utah vs. #6 Ohio State

Five Highlighted Bowl Games

1. Fiesta Bowl: #9 Oklahoma State vs. #5 Notre Dame (Saturday, Jan. 1st)

Notre Dame is ranked fifth, but their schedule was a cake walk. Their only loss was to an undefeated Cincinnati team, however they only beat three teams that ended over .500 (Wisconsin, Purdue, & Toledo). Oklahoma State should hold the true number five position, and probably would have kicked Cincinnati out of the fourth spot, if they didn’t lose to Baylor (by getting stuffed at the 1 yard line). The Cowboys have a great defense and a well balanced offense. Therefore, easily take the Cowboys at +2.5/+110

2. Rose Bowl: #11 Utah vs. #6 Ohio State (Saturday, Jan. 1st)

The Rose Bowl, famously held in Pasadena, California, features Pac-12 Champion Utah vs. Big-10 runner up Ohio State. Utah is on a six game winning streak, beating top-ranked Oregon twice in that span. Ohio State is coming off an embarrassing loss to Michigan in the Big-10 Championship (42-27). The only other loss Ohio State has this year is to Oregon.

Ohio State has a high-powered arsenal through the air, but Utah has a decent defense against the pass. Inversely, Utah has had spread success this season on offense, while Ohio State has a weaker defense against the pass. Look at Utah taking the +4.5 spread and the +155 money line.

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3. Sugar Bowl: #7 Baylor vs. #8 Ole Miss (Saturday, Jan. 1st)

It would be nice if the FBS had an extended playoffs where both of these teams (who are talented enough) would be in the playoffs. At least they get to play each other here. Ole Miss unfortunately has to play in the SEC, where they fell to Alabama and Auburn this year. However, their fast-paced offense truly impressed with their 10-2 record.

Baylor both beat and lost to Oklahoma State this year, and unfortunately fell to TCU in a close matchup sinking them out of the legitimate playoffs. Baylor has a better defense, and an offense that can exploit the Rebels’ defense. Take Baylor at +1/-105.

4.  Sun Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Washington State (Friday, Dec. 31st)

The game was originally going to feature Miami & Washington State, but due to issues with COVID Miami could not participate. Furthermore, Boise State was supposed to play Central Michigan in the Arizona Bowl, but the Broncos couldn’t participate either. So we are left with the two teams that can play each other. Ultimately, it is a good matchup, and one that Central Michigan can exploit and prove that they are underrated. The 7-5 Cougars beat the teams they were supposed to beat this year, and lost to the teams they were supposed to lose to. Central Michigan has the better offense and quarterback. Look for the Chippewas to pay out on their +7/+220 odds.

5. Gator Bowl: #17 Wake Forest vs. Rutgers (Friday, Dec. 31st)

Texas A&M backs out of the Gator Bowl leaving a 5-7 Rutgers team into the bowl. #17 Wake Forest (at 10-3) has to play a bad Rutgers team. Look for Wake to throw all over the Scarlet Knights covering their -14.5/-650 odds. This shouldn’t be a matchup, let alone a New Year’s bowl game.

Picks for the Other Three Games

Outback Bowl: Penn State (7-5) vs. #21 Arkansas (8-4)

Penn State +1.5/-105

Citrus Bowl: #15 Iowa (10-3) vs. #22 Kentucky (9-3)

Iowa +3/+120

Texas Bowl: LSU (6-6) vs. Kansas State (7-5)

Kansas State -3.5/-175

Both NCAA and NBA basketball is volatile due to postponed, cancelled, and forfeit games. Keep up with all the changing odds with the Betting’s Basketball Odds tool.