There is no shortage of bowl games this Saturday, but we have isolated one game that checks all the boxes and has a tempting player prop as well. The game in question is the Pop-Tarts Bowl, featuring the No. 22 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets battling the No. 12 BYU Cougars, broadcast live on ABC at 3:30 PM ET.
Our Saturday football bets revolve around the Cougars being dismissed as a CFP contender, despite their No. 12 ranking, and watching the national tournament from the outside looking in on the dozen teams vying for championship glory. The voting committee didn’t believe BYU was worthy, and that has to sting a team that went 11-2 straight up and 9-4 against the number.
They will be opposed by a solid Georgia Tech squad that ended the season with a 9-3 mark and 7-5 ATS. But what they accomplished in the early part of the season is overshadowed by how they performed down the home stretch. The Yellow Jackets dropped three of their final four games, including a gritty 16-9 loss to Georgia, covering as 15 ½ point home hounds.
Our college football bets also consider the AI predictions, made by BMR’s proprietary algorithm, that predict BYU edging the Jackets, 29-28. However, that assumes Georgia Tech is ready to rebound after facing a steely Georgia defense that held G-Tech to only three field goals.
Below, we have a strong opinion on the sharp side in this game as well as a player prop. Let’s get into it, shall we?
Tonight’s NCAAF odds reveal that the Cougars are the favorites in this neutral-site showdown despite suffering only their second loss of the season, both of which came to the same team, Texas Tech. The Cougars dropped a 44-13 regular-season contest to the Red Raiders before the pair met again in the Big 12 Championship, where, unfortunately for BYU fans, not much changed as they bowed 34-7.
Georgia Tech lost three of their last four games and failed to cover in three of them as well. Ironically, the Yellow Jackets’ regular-season finale was their best defensive effort over the last several weeks. G-Tech held the powerful Georgia Bulldogs to just 16 points, but its offense was stuck in neutral throughout the 16-9 loss.
The question is, can BYU muster enough offense to pull away and cover the number in this one?
The NCAAF odds on this Saturday afternoon clash between Georgia Tech and BYU reveal that more than a little bit of money has been bet on the favorite. After considering the opening line, where all the best online sportsbooks opened BYU as 2 ½ point favorites, the number has vaulted to as high as BYU -5 at some of the online shops.
Those who are leaning toward betting on the Cougars should be shopping around because we found one of the finest online sportsbooks in the industry, BetOnline, offering the lowest line available at BYU -4.
Saturday Pop-Tarts Bowl Picks (BYU -4)
As stated, BMR’s algorithm model predicts a 29-28 BYU victory, which might make their fans happy, but certainly not those who bet on them laying four points. Yet, I don’t believe this game will be decided by a point. Let’s not forget, before running headlong into the buzzsaw that is Texas Tech, the Cougars averaged 37 points per game over their preceding three games.
The Yellow Jackets salvaged a measure of redemption in their relatively close loss to Georgia. Still, this Jackets defense has allowed 35 points per game over their last four contests, which lends credence to the notion that the Bulldogs overlooked their overmatched neighbor, anticipating their own selection in the College Football Playoff.
Speaking of porous defenses, let’s discuss Georgia Tech’s defensive stats below.
The NCAA odds have moved rapidly from the original line of BYU -2 ½ and we can find -4 ½ at most sportsbooks, while -5 is being dealt at a few more.
The BYU rushing attack will move the chains all afternoon long, and that will set up the pass against what has become a rather anemic Georgia Tech defense. Let’s lay the -4 and cash a ticket.
Expert Pick: BYU -4 (-115) at BetOnline
As we review the team props page for this contest, we see that the Cougars’ point total is 29 ½, which seems a bit low considering how porous the Jackets’ defense has been.
BYU ranks 35th in the nation in scoring, averaging nearly 32 points per game. Before they met a superior Texas Tech team, the Cougars averaged 38.3 points per game over their previous three games.
There are plenty of team and player props to choose from in these bowl games, but the point total feels too low on this BYU offense. Let’s take advantage of a good number and go high with the Cougars.
Expert Pick: BYU Over 29.5 Points (-135) at Bovada
Getting in the game with an opinion that makes you cash is what it’s all about. The only way to do that is to open an account at one or more of the most trustworthy, reliable, and reputable sportsbooks in the industry, like the several online sportsbooks featured at Bookmakers Review.
Remember, the lines and odds don’t stay stagnant. They move, so why not review our Saturday football bets on BYU and over the Cougars’ team total when the getting is good? Lock in on a line at top offshore sportsbooks like Bovada and Bookmaker, and you’ll never have to worry that you missed out on value.
*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.