Top NCAAF Pick: Marshall +13 (-110) via Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
Even the five worst bowl games have some value on the odds board. Take a look at the AI Model’s suggestions for the worst college football bowl games this season while playing at the main offshore sportsbooks.
New Mexico Bowl
New Mexico State Aggies vs. Fresno State Bulldogs
Saturday, December 16, 2023 – 05:45 PM ET at University Stadium
Our AI Model believes New Mexico State will earn a four-point victory over Fresno State. Meanwhile, you can find New Mexico State at -3.5 in multiple books. That’s the play.
Fresno State’s head coach, Jeff Tedford, is stepping away from the program due to health concerns. Therefore, Fresno State will be led by interim head coach Tim Skipper. Meanwhile, New Mexico State should have Diego Pavia at quarterback. He was injured in the Conference-USA title game but is expected to play.
These teams have been pretty even throughout the season. However, New Mexico State’s run game stands out way more. While the Aggies will lose some wide receivers to the portal, the run game should be intact. Let’s back New Mexico State at -3.5.
NCAAF Pick: New Mexico State -3.5 (-110) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
Myrtle Beach Bowl
Georgia Southern Eagles vs. Ohio Bobcats
Saturday, December 16, 2023 – 11:00 AM ET at Brooks Stadium
Our AI Model suggests Ohio and Georgia Southern will tie at 24-24. However, Ohio is a 3.5-point underdog. The Bobcats make the most sense in Myrtle Beach Bowl.
The Ohio Bobcats are the better team. However, Ohio will lose a lot of players to the transfer portal, including QB Kurtis Rourke, RB Sieh Bangura, and RB O’Shaan Alison. But let’s not forget about the Ohio defense. The pass defense was one of the best in the MAC. The run defense also wasn’t far off either.
They’ll take on a Georgia Southern offense that has senior Davis Brin. He threw 16 interceptions this season and had a QBR of 45.7. He’s a slinger, but sometimes, he’ll try to do too much and hurt his team more than help.
Therefore, let’s take Ohio at +3.5 and rely on the defense to get us the win.
NCAAF Pick: Ohio +3.5 (-110) via Bovada
Famous Toastery Bowl a.k.a. Bahamas Bowl
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Old Dominion Monarchs
Monday, December 18, 2023 – 02:30 PM ET at Jerry Richardson Stadium
Our AI Model believes Old Dominion will earn a 33-22 win over Western Kentucky. As 2.5-point favorites, the clear value play is on the Old Dominion Monarchs against the spread.
The Old Dominion Monarchs will lose a couple of significant players to injuries and the transfer portal. But there’s still plenty of depth on the Old Dominion defense. The Monarchs were dominant against the run and converted on most tackles this season. Even the secondary played at a high level.
Meanwhile, Western Kentucky has lost three significant offensive linemen to the transfer portal. They also won’t have four major players on defense for this game. It’s even possible that Western Kentucky’s quarterback, Austin Reed, could miss the bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft.
I’ll ride with the AI Model. Take Old Dominion at -2.5.
NCAAF Pick: Old Dominion -2.5 (-110) via Bovada
Frisco Bowl
UTSA Roadrunners vs. Marshall Thundering Herd
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 – 09:00 PM ET at Toyota Stadium
Our AI Model has UTSA earning a 28-25 victory over Marshall. But at -13, backing Marshall would make the most sense per the AI Model.
The Marshall Thundering Herd have lost QB Cam Fancher to the transfer portal. Therefore, the Thundering Herd will rely on Cole Pennington at quarterback for this game. Pennington is the son of former Jets quarterback, Chad Pennington. He’s made a lot of mistakes this season when given the opportunity, but at least he has some experience heading into this game.
Meanwhile, UTSA’s head coach, Jeff Traylor, was hunting for new jobs last month. He’ll stay put, but that could potentially have an effect on his guys for this bowl game. Marshall’s defense didn’t lose anyone to the transfer portal. Only the offense did. However, the defense is why Marshall is in a bowl game to begin with.
That said, back Marshall at +13. I agree with the AI Model.
NCAAF Pick: Marshall +13 (-110) via Bovada
Boca Raton Bowl
South Florida Bulls vs. Syracuse Orange
Thursday, December 21, 2023 – 08:00 PM ET at FAU Stadium
Our AI Model believes Syracuse will escape South Florida with a 32-25 win. With the Orange at -3, Syracuse against the spread is this matchup’s value play per the AI Model.
The South Florida Bulls haven’t made a bowl game since 2018. Luckily for them, they didn’t lose many players to the transfer portal. Meanwhile, Syracuse had a lot of coaching changes over the last month.
The Orange fired Dino Babers and had Nunzio Campanile take over as the interim head coach. They also hired Fran Brown to be the head coach moving forward. However, under Campanile, Syracuse earned their sixth win and became bowl-eligible. Starting quarterback Garrett Shrader should be fully healthy and will play in this game.
Meanwhile, the Orange didn’t lose many significant players to the transfer portal after the coaching changes. The Orange statistically have the better defense and should have a healthy Shrader leading the offense.
NCAAF Pick: Syracuse -3 (-110) via Bovada
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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