When you’re betting on the college football bowl season, one of the key factors is motivation. You don’t want to end up holding a ticket on a team that doesn’t really care about the game – especially when they’re playing a team that’s really geared up for the contest. We saw that on Wednesday night when the Texas A&M Aggies – a team that was once in the Top 10 and considered a contender for the SEC title – was smoked by the Kansas State Wildcats. It’s not that the Aggies played poorly but many people felt that they should be able to handle a Kansas State squad that is limited on talent. Instead, the Aggies not only failed to cover but blew the game outright as well.
With that in mind, consider betting the teams below in the remaining bowl games this week as they should be jacked up for their contests. That could be a significant edge on the betting lines.
Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Colorado Buffaloes
In what could be the most entertaining non-playoff bowl on the schedule, the 10-3 Buffaloes are ranked 10th in the country and are three-point favorites over the 9-3 and 12th-ranked Cowboys in the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. The Cowboys should be able to get more fans to San Antonio, and they’re the 17th-ranked offense in the country. Colorado is 17th in the country in total defense, and they’re more balanced than Oklahoma State, who are 108th in total defense. However, the Oklahoma State defense has shown flashes this season and if they can be consistent in this game, they have a great chance.
In terms of motivation, though, this is a big deal for the Buffs. The Pokes have been in contention for some big prizes in the Mike Gundy era, so this isn’t exactly a big fish to them. As for Colorado, they were one of the big surprises of the college football season and this is their biggest bowl game in an era. Expect them to be jacked up for this contest.
These two have split their last eight meetings both SU and ATS, and their last meeting came in November 2009.
College Football Pick: Buffaloes
Florida State Seminoles vs. Michigan Wolverines
Interestingly enough, this is also the first time that these college-football powerhouses have met. This is probably the big-name bowl outside of the playoffs as the Wolverines are 10-2 and ranked sixth, and they’re favored by 6.5 over 9-3 and 11th-ranked Florida State in the Capital One Orange Bowl. This game will be played in Miami, which would normally give an edge to Florida State due to proximity, but Michigan travels extremely well. Both teams have great defenses as Michigan is ranked second in the country in total defense and the Seminoles are ranked 29th, but Florida State is also first in red-zone offense and can wear the Wolverines down as they’re 12th in time of possession.
However, there is a big difference in motivation in this contest. The Seminoles have had some big prizes on the line in recent years and this isn’t where they had hoped to be. The same can be said about Michigan but this is a team that will be out to make a statement. They were sixth in the final College Football Playoff standings and many people feel like they were good enough to get in. This is their opportunity to prove those people wrong. It’s about a ‘meh’ for Florida State but the Wolverines will be fired up to prove their point.
College Football Pick: Wolverines
USC Trojans vs Penn State Nittany Lions
The Trojans were decent this year but they never ended up living up to their Top 10 expectations. They still finished well after a very difficult early part of the schedule and earned a spot in a New Year’s bowl. However, their opponent, the Penn State Nittany Lions, has to feel like this is their proving grounds. They finished the year in fifth place – one spot outside of the CFP – and many people felt they should have secured one of the four spots. After all, they beat Ohio State – who qualified – and they won the Big Ten, which Ohio State did not do.
Once again, the Nittany Lions are being disrespected on the betting line as they are a seven-point dog. They’re just as capable as USC on offense and their quarterback play might be even better than theirs. This is a good spot to take the points.
College Football Pick: Penn State
Click here to bet on college football futures at Diamond Sportsbook!
