College Football Picks, Odds & 3 Early Bets for the Bowl Games

⭐  Best Bet:  Missouri Moneyline (-120) at BetMGM

Motivation is always a key factor to consider when betting on college football bowl games, and there's a clear motivation edge in the Ohio State vs. Missouri Cotton Bowl. Ohio State just missed out on a playoff berth after falling to rival Michigan, and key players have already decided to hit the transfer portal, including quarterback Kyle McCord. That will allow second-year quarterback Devin Brown to make his first start of the season against Missouri. Buckeyes wide receiver and Heisman Trophy finalist Marvin Harrison Jr. will also unlikely see the same amount of workload, if any at all, against Missouri. 

We're going with Missouri Moneyline (-120) at BetMGM because it's clear this game will matter more to the Tigers. This is Missouri's first major bowl appearance in the College Football era, and the team has already mentioned they expect all of the key contributors to play against Ohio State. This includes quarterback Brady Cook, who threw for 3,189 yards, and Luther Burden who caught 83 passes for 1,197 yards. The Tigers will also have running back Cody Schrader; the senior back ran for 1,489 yards this season. 

Missouri has had a solid secondary all season, only allowing LSU, Georgia and Florida to have quarterbacks put up a passer rating of over 150. The Tigers have the experience and continuity on the defensive end that will give them an edge over an Ohio State offense that will be missing key pieces and playing a quarterback making his first start of the season. We like Missouri to win and record what would be a signature win in the Cotton Bowl.

Best Bet:  Missouri Moneyline (-120) at BetMGM

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⭐  Best Bet: Georgia -14 (-115) at FanDuel

It's fair to wonder how Florida State bounces back after being left out of the College Football Playoff. The Seminoles went 13-0 and won the ACC, becoming the first undefeated Power Five champion to miss the CFP. Florida State will continue to be without starting quarterback Jordan Travis, while backup Tate Rodemaker could be back after missing the ACC title win over Louisville. Wide receiver Johnny Wilson also announced his intention to skip the Orange Bowl after he declared for the NFL Draft. More players could also sit out considering the disappointment around Florida State missing the playoff. 

We will take Georgia -14 (-115) at FanDuel. Georgia's quarterback situation is worth monitoring. Backup Brock Vandagriff entered the transfer portal and will play at Kentucky next season, while this year's starter, Carson Beck, could potentially opt out of the game. Regardless, Georgia's defense and advantages in the trenches should be enough to overwhelm a dispirited and overmatched Florida State team. 

The Seminoles gained just 224 yards in the win over Florida and put up just 219 against Louisville. With more key players to sit out against Georgia, we don't expect much consistent offensive success for the Seminoles. The Bulldogs ranked ninth in defensive scoring this season (17.4) and should have the majority of key defensive contributors play in the Orange Bowl.

Best Betting Pick: Georgia -14 (-115) at FanDuel

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⭐  Best Bet: Northwestern Moneyline (+200) at BetMGM

Utah was one of the top teams in the Pac-12 a year ago and would prepare to face Penn State in the historic Rose Bowl. Now, the Utes have been relegated to the Las Vegas Bowl to face an overachieving Northwestern squad as opt-outs and transfer portal news is the prevalent story for Utah. 

Starting quarterback Cam Rising didn't play this season due to injury, and backup Bryson Barnes, who started most of this season, announced his plans to enter the transfer portal. Barnes said he will play in the bowl game, but the Utes will also be without two key defensive starters in linebacker Lander Barton and edge Logan Fano. Leading wide receiver Devaughn Vele also declared for the NFL Draft, putting a hole in the Utes receiving corps. Vele is the team's leading receiver with 593 yards, which is more than double the yardage of the team's next-highest pass catcher. 

We're going with Northwestern Moneyline (+200) at BetMGM. It was a disappointing end for Utah, losing three of its last five games. Meanwhile, Northwestern hopes to cap off a season that started with a hazing scandal and finish the turnaround with a bowl victory. Pat Fitzgerald was fired when hazing allegations came out against the program and David Braun was named the interim head coach. But after a 7-5 season, Braun had the interim tag removed and the Wildcats will make their first bowl appearance in three years. 

Northwestern won just three games two years ago and was just 1-11 last season. Just one depth player has entered the transfer portal, while every other member of the team is expected to be ready and available, highlighting how invested the Wildcats are in this bowl game. We're going to take the more motivated team to secure the victory.

Best Bet: Northwestern Moneyline (+200) at BetMGM

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