College Football odds: Previews and predictions for Saturday’s Bowl Games

Akron Beacon Journal
 
College Football odds: Previews and predictions for Saturday’s Bowl Games

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Saturday’s four college football bowl games act as the perfect appetizer for the New Year’s Six matchups, and below is all the info you’ll need for the games, plus our top-rated sports betting bonus codes which are worth thousands of dollars in bonuses.

This game has the makings of a New Year’s Six bowl, with each team holding 10-2 records. Penn State’s only losses came against Ohio State and Michigan, while Ole Miss fell short vs. Alabama and Georgia.

The transfer portal and NFL Draft declarations will have minimal impact on the Peach Bowl. The most noteworthy player sitting out is Penn State’s Chop Robinson, who is entering the draft after tallying 15 total tackles, four sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Each offense ranks top 20 in points scored, combining to average 72 points per game. Defensively, the Nittany Lions have a decisive advantage, though Robinson’s absence should even the playing field.

Fans will be treated to a superb QB battle between Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart and Penn State’s Drew Allar. Dart recorded 3,362 total yards, 27 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while Allar had 2,506 yards, 27 touchdowns, and only one pick.

Pick: The Rebel’s offensive firepower will keep the final score within a field goal.

Maryland and Auburn had disappointing seasons but have a shot at finishing on a high note with a victory in Nashville on Saturday evening.

The Terps were a field-goal underdog last week until QB Taulia Tagovailoa announced he’d miss the game in preparation for the NFL Draft, leaving a pair of backups that attempted a combined 13 passes to lead the offense. The spread moved greatly following Tagovailoa’s announcement.

Auburn’s season has been filled with ups and downs, as the Tigers suffered narrow losses to Georgia, Ole Miss, and Alabama but were blown out by LSU and New Mexico State. Auburn needed a stop on 4th-and-31 to upset the Crimson Tide, but a long touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe shocked Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Pick: Auburn landed big recruits on early-signing day and will cover the spread vs. Maryland, carrying momentum into the 2024 campaign.

Despite the massive point spread, the Orange Bowl will be the most intriguing non-College Football Playoff matchup of bowl season. Florida State has a flawless 13-0 record that includes an ACC Championship win, yet the CFP committee opted to put a pair of one-loss teams in the semifinals instead of the Seminoles.

Starting QB Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending injury in Week 12, and backup Tate Rodemaker is entering the transfer portal. Trey Benson, Johnny Wilson, and Keon Coleman are other notable Seminoles not suiting up against UGA.

Georgia went into the SEC Championship having last lost in the 2021 conference title game and had its CFP hopes squashed by Alabama. The motivation level for both teams is questionable after being left out of the playoff.

On the bright side, Carson Beck will return to Athens in 2024 and is starting in the Orange Bowl. However, star TE Brock Bowers and two other starters weren’t seen traveling with the Dawgs to South Beach. Georgia should be equipped to play without Bowers after he missed two regular-season games due to injury.

Pick: Florida State will cover the massive point spread.

The Rockets went 11-2 and made the MAC Championship but are underdogs because QB Dequan Finn entered the transfer portal. The MAC Player of the Year threw for 2,657 yards, rushed for 563 yards, and had 29 total touchdowns.

Wyoming is 8-4 with quality victories over Texas Tech and Fresno State. The Cowboys were tied with Texas 10-10 entering the fourth quarter until the Longhorns pulled away to a 31-10 triumph.

Wyoming will have added inspiration to win the game, as it’s the last one for head coach Craig Bohl before retirement.

Pick: With Finn out, Bohl retiring, and Wyoming’s closer proximity to Tucson, Arizona, we’re riding the Cowboys.

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