College football bowl game best bets
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theScore's betting writers have each released their best bet for bowl season. If you decide to follow any of the picks, please gamble responsibly.
Odds are courtesy of theScore Bet.
Thomas Casale
Belk Bowl: Kentucky vs. Virginia Tech (-3)
Kentucky opened the season as one of the least-experienced teams in the country after losing 10 starters and other key players from last year's 10-3 squad. The Wildcats started 2019 off slowly, winning just two of their first five games. But then they closed the regular season going 4-1.
The big change for Kentucky came when it moved Lynn Bowden from receiver to quarterback to help ignite a stagnant offense. Employing a run-first option attack, the Cats have gone 5-2 with Bowden under center while averaging 352 rushing yards per game. Virginia Tech has struggled against athletic quarterbacks all year because the Hokies lack defensive speed, and I expect that trend to continue in the Belk Bowl.
Kentucky's defense has also improved throughout the season, holding five of its last six opponents to under 300 total yards. Both teams have gotten better after slow starts, but Kentucky's ascending defense and overall team speed will be the difference in this game.
When bowl lines are released, I look to see where the wrong team is favored in a matchup, and this game jumped out immediately. Kentucky will win comfortably as a three-point underdog.
Pick: Kentucky +3
C Jackson Cowart
Alamo Bowl: Utah (-7) vs. Texas
In the premier bowl games, there may not be a bigger talent gap than in the Alamo Bowl.
Utah (No. 7 in PFF) has moved from -6.5 to -7 against slumping Texas (No. 37). That's still solid value on Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham, who's a stellar 8-4 against the spread and 10-2 straight up in bowl games, and his squad will be ready for arguably the program's most important bowl game this decade.
Casual fans tossed Utah aside after its loss to Oregon, and the team can't afford to lay an egg twice this campaign if it cares about national relevancy - which seems to be the case judging by the players' comments following that defeat. Back the motivated Utes against a Texas team playing musical chairs with its coaching staff ahead of this one.
Pick: Utah -7
Alex Kolodziej
Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs. Alabama (-7)
Motivation is absolutely a factor during bowl season. You shouldn't pass on every game, but that decision rests with whether a bettor thinks a team will come out to play. All I’ve been hearing the past week is to fade Alabama because the Tide aren’t in the playoff. I can’t disagree more.
If you thought Michigan’s defense looked lost against Ohio State's speed, the Wolverines will deal with another problem in the Citrus Bowl. I passed on this game in my best bet article while assuming Alabama will sit key players. However, all the team's important players are expected to suit up, and my projections show a double-digit spread in what should be a coaching and talent mismatch.
Pick: Alabama -7
Alex Moretto
Quick Lane Bowl: Pittsburgh (-11) vs. Eastern Michigan
It hasn't been a pretty season for quarterback Kenny Pickett and Pittsburgh's offense, but the Panthers should be able to name the score here.
Playing indoors will help, but not as much as facing a barely passable Eastern Michigan defense that ranks 104th in efficiency. The Panthers' punter might not need to make the trip in what should be a showcase contest for the team's offense.
On the other side of the ball, Pitt's defense ranks inside the top 20 in efficiency and won't struggle to contain a below-average Eastern Michigan offense that Mike Glass leads. The Panthers weren't expecting much heading into the season, so motivation also shouldn't be an issue here. Don't hesitate to lay the points, as this one should get ugly.
Pick: Pittsburgh -11