Category: BetFTW

What’s at stake in the Texas Bowl between LSU and Baylor?

What’s really at stake in the 2024 Kinder’s Texas Bowl?

The Texas Bowl is on Tuesday, December 31, in Houston, Texas.

The LSU Tigers arrive at Tuesday’s matchup with an 8-4 record after winning their last two games, a welcomed sight after an unfortunate three-game skid knocked the team out of the college football playoffs. The Baylor Bears also arrive in Texas with an 8-4 record, including winning six straight to close out the season.

So, what’s really at stake in Tuesday’s head-to-head?

The Tigers’ program can win a third straight bowl game and reach nine wins.

If LSU walks away with a victory, it’ll be behind a slightly revamped team. While there haven’t been many changes to the defense, the offensive line will be practically new. Several players opted out of playing the bowl game.

For the Bears, head coach Dave Aranda has a chance to get a win over his former team.

Aranda spent the 2016-2019 seasons with the team and was on the staff that won a national championship. The matchup against LSU presents a unique challenge. Unfortunately, Baylor lost seven defensive players to the transfer portal, and that likely won’t help a Bears squad that allowed 34 or more points six times this season.

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What’s at stake in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl between Florida and Tulane?

The 2024 Gasparilla Bowl will pit Florida against Tulane.

The Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl will kick off on Friday in Tampa, pitting Florida and Tulane against each other for a trophy treasure trove of pirate booty.

The 7-5 Gators will try to close the season, a highly uneven one for coach Billy Napier, on a high note.

Napier did enough to stick around in Gainesville for another year, but a bowl game win against Tulane would give his athletic department just a bit more confidence that he’s the guy to return Florida to national prominence.

While all teams are playing for pride in these bowl games, at least Florida has the chance to do so in front of a friendly Tampa crowd.

As for 9-4 Tulane, coach Jon Sumrall recently earned a major contract extension with the Green Wave after a season where his school was ranked for multiple weeks. Winning the bowl game is a cherry on top for Sumrall.

Tulane being able to close the 2024 season by sticking it to an SEC team in its home state would have to feel great for Sumrall’s group going into 2025. Even if it loses, this team has a lot to be proud of for how the season went.

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Big Ten championship: Players to know, predictions and more

Oregon can lock up the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff with one more win.

No. 1 Oregon has been the unquestioned top team in the country for weeks now and still has so much to gain on Saturday.

With a victory over No. 3 Penn State in the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis, the Ducks would finish off a 13-0 regular season, win the conference in its first season and lock up the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff, which comes with a first-round bye.

If Penn State wins, the Nittany Lions’ first Big Ten title since 2016, steal the first-round bye from Oregon and force the Ducks to host a playoff game on campus.

Which is to say nothing of helping Penn State coach James Franklin defeat his demons in big games. Here’s what we’re watching in this one.

Players To Watch

Oregon: Matayo Uiagalelei, DE

If Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty didn’t exist, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel would probably be the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy. But let’s turn to the other side of the ball here, and to the leader of a Ducks’ defense that’s ninth nationally in points allowed per game (16.2). Uiagalelei was somehow erroneously snubbed by the Big Ten’ coaches for first team all-conference honors, despite leading the league in sacks with 10.5, which also ranks seventh nationally.

Penn State: Tyler Warren, TE

Warren is a contender for the Mackey Award this year for the nation’s top tight end. And he’s a superb pass catcher and blocker, but he does a lot more for the Nittany Lions in Andy Kotelnicki’s unique offense that is full of motions, trickery and smoke and mirrors. We’ve seen Warren run the ball, throw the ball and even snap the ball. He’s totaled 1,167 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns this season. Warren is 10th nationally in receptions with 81 and is definitely a guy that you’ll see playing on Sundays next year.

Staff Picks


Opening Line: Oregon -3.5

Blake Schuster: Penn State +3.5

What if I told you the big game James Franklin finally wins is the only one Penn State didn’t care about?

Mitchell Northam: Oregon -3.5

This is a big game, and James Franklin does not win big games.

Christian D’Andrea: Oregon -3.5

We all know how James Franklin does against top-5 teams.

Michelle Martinelli: Penn State +3.5

Oregon wins and keeps its undefeated season intact, but the Nittany Lions — even in a big game, I know, I know — keep it closer than this.

Tyler Nettuno: Oregon -3.5

The Ducks haven’t really faced a tough test since the win over Ohio State, and there have been a couple instances of shakiness. If Penn State looked just a bit more dangerous, I’d be more intrigued here.

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ACC championship game: Players to know, predictions and more

The most consequential conference championship game kicks off in Charlotte on Saturday.

The ACC championship is by far the most consequential of all the title games on Saturday. When No. 8 SMU and No. 17 Clemson meet in Charlotte, there are multiple playoff spots on the line.

In the most simple terms: if SMU wins, both the Mustangs and Alabama Crimson Tide will punch their ticket to the 12-team College Football Playoff. If Clemson wins, the Tigers will earn the ACC’s automatic berth, leaving the committee to decide between Alabama, SMU and South Carolina for the final at-large bid.

Of course, there’s also a ton of pride at stake, too. Clemson won the conference championship in 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022. The Tigers feel they own the ACC and it’s tough to argue that point. SMU waltzing into the ACC and winning the conference in Year 1 would be quite an ego bruise for the more long-time members.

Players To Watch

Clemson: Cade Klubnik, QB

Klubnik has taken a step forward as a junior, cutting his interceptions nearly in half and piling 10 more scores on his total from last season. Klubnik has thrown for 3,041 yards and 29 touchdowns to just five interceptions. He’s also been more aggressive as a runner this year, totaling 437 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, including his game-winning scramble against Pitt earlier this season that kept the Tigers’ CFP hopes alive.

SMU: Brashard Smith, RB

Smith does it all for SMU’s offense and has proven to be potent as a runner and receiver. He leads the Mustangs’ offense with 1,426 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns, the latter of which leads the ACC. After having a supporting role at Miami for the previous three seasons, Smith has become a star for SMU and has them on the cusp of making the College Football Playoff for the first time ever.

Staff Picks


Opening Line: Clemson -1.5

Blake Schuster: SMU -2.5

I was all set to pick Clemson until South Carolina turned the Tigers’ defense into Swiss cheese.

Mitchell Northam: Clemson +2.5

I think SMU is good and deserves a CFP spot. Whether the committee agrees with me is another matter. But this is turf that Clemson dominates on, and I think we’re about to witness a classic, “Screw you, we’re still Clemson” type performance. The Tigers are 8-0 in ACC championship games since 2011. Their only loss in Charlotte in that span was in 2021 to Georgia — and SMU ain’t Georgia.

Christian D’Andrea: Clemson +2.5

SMU AIN’T PLAYED NOBODY, PAWLLLLLL.

Michelle Martinelli: Clemson +2.5

I am begging SMU to make me wrong on another pick involving Clemson.

Tyler Nettuno: SMU -2.5

The Mustangs truly have skated by on a weak schedule; there’s no denying it. But they’re also a well-rounded team, and I think this is a good matchup for them.

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Timothée Chalamet put up $400K for Pat McAfee’s field goal challenge and nearly regretted it immediately

This was almost an epic backfire.

Timothée Chalamet was announced as the celebrity guest picker for ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday but decided to join the show just a little bit early for Pat McAfee’s weekly field goal challenge.

By now everyone has a good handle on the rules: McAfee puts up a predetermined amount of money if a fan can make a 33-yard field goal. Most of the time, they can not. Sometimes the money gets doubled if McAfee is in a good mood. Sometimes the kicker gets two chances to split the uprights if McAfee is in a great mood.

On Saturday, McAfee was so confident after the kicker missed his first attempt for $200,000 that he doubled down immediately. Kirk Herbstreit got peer pressured by McAfee to do the same, bringing the total up to $800,000. But with Chalamet standing right there, McAfee leaned over and asked if he wanted to match, too.

“Yeah, I’ll get in there, too” Chalamet replied.

It was only a moment after you could see him doing the math in his head to understand what he just committed to: A $1.4 million prize.

Fortunately for McAfee, Herbstreit and Chalamet — and unfortunately for the Texas fan — the second kick missed. Yet for a split second It sure looked like they were each about to be out $400,000 before noon.

The handshake McAfee gave Chalamet right after the miss really says it all.

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American Athletic Conference championship: Players to know, predictions and more

Here’s what to know about Friday’s AAC title game.

College football fans were so close to a world where both the Mountain West championship game and AAC championship had playoff implications.

Then Tulane lost to unranked Memphis at home in Rivalry Week and killed that dream for good. The Green Wave still get to play for a conference title, but now they’ll do so on the road in West Point against a dynamic Army team. The Black Knights, meanwhile, arguably play a more important game next week in the annual Army-Navy contest.

Tune in to see two strong offenses battle each other in the cold as Army seeks to stop Tulane from winning its second AAC title in three years while winning the Black Knights’ first ever conference championship.

Players To Watch

Army: Bryson Daily, QB

Army and Navy spent the majority of the season running all over the American with variations of the triple-option, led by a pair of awesome quarterbacks. The man under-center for the Black Knights in Daily, who leads the conference in rushing yards (1,354) and rushing touchdowns (25). He can throw it a bit when asked, totaling eight passing touchdowns to just one interception this season, but Daily is more in the mold of your traditional option quarterback – which is to say that he’s damn good at running the ball.

Tulane: Darian Mensah, QB

Mensah leads a Green Wave offense that is sixth in the nation in scoring with 39.1 points per game. The 6-foot-3 redshirt freshman leads the American and is third in FBS in passing yards per attempt with a mark of 9.6, and he also leads the AAC in completion percentage with 65.6. The last time Tulane played a Service Academy, Mensah lit up Navy for two passing touchdowns and a rushing score.

Staff Picks

Opening Line: Tulane -4

Blake Schuster: Army +4.5

Army isn’t getting into the playoff whether it wins or loses this game, and the troops are probably more worried about the Navy game next week. But the home field makes a big difference when a team from the south has to go way north.

Mitchell Northam: Tulane -4.5

Y’all remember how Notre Dame’s games against Army and Navy went pretty similarly? I think we’ll see the same against the Green Wave.

Christian D’Andrea: Army +4.5

TROOPS.

Michelle Martinelli: Army +4.5

I think Tulane will win, if for no other reason than to make up for the Memphis loss. But Army is tricky and should force this one to come down to the end.

Tyler Nettuno: Tulane -4.5

The Memphis game took a lot of wind out of the sails, but this is still a Green Wave team I like a lot. Army has only faced one test tougher than this all year, and we all saw how that went.

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College football spread picks, conference championships: SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12 and G5 title games

Our picks for conference championship weekend with major College Football Playoff implications.

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It’s conference championship weekend time, and after the games end Saturday, the College Football Playoff committee will announce the first 12-team playoff field. And while some teams are clearly in already, conference championship weekend could have an impact on the remaining playoff spots, along with seeding, including who gets a first-round bye.

Conference title weekend is supposed to be the best of the best, and for our latest picks against the spread, we’re looking at the Power Four title games and the Group of Five title games with possible playoff implications.

So here are our six college football picks against the spread for conference championship weekend.

Tail responsibly, and best of luck out there.

Name Last Week YTD
Blake Schuster 5-5 71-73
Michelle Martinelli 4-6 70-74
Mitchell Northam 8-2 69-75
Christian D’Andrea 5-5 65-79
Tyler Nettuno 6-4 63-81

All odds via BetMGM

No. 20 UNLV at No. 10 Boise State, Friday, 8 p.m. ET on Fox


Opening Line: Boise State -5

Blake Schuster: Boise State -4

This game is in Boise. It’ll be Ashton Jeanty’s last chance to impress Heisman Trophy voters. And he’s already rushed for 128 yards against UNLV once this season on the road. Gulp.

Mitchell Northam: Boise State -4

The Broncos already beat UNLV on the road. Potentially at stake here is a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff, depending on how the ACC and Big 12 title games shake out.

Christian D’Andrea: BSU -4

That’s a small line for a home team who already beat UNLV on the road, right?

Michelle Martinelli: Boise State -4

Usually in a same-season rematch situation, I go with the loser of the first game winning the second. Not this time. The Broncos will win this rematch decisively with a stellar game from Ashton Jeanty.

Tyler Nettuno: Boise State -4

The Broncos have played some quietly not great football over the last month or so, but UNLV hasn’t looked like world-beaters, either.

Tulane at No. 24 Army, Friday, 8 p.m. ET on ABC


Opening Line: Tulane -4

Blake Schuster: Army -4.5

Army isn’t getting into the playoff whether it wins or loses this game, and the troops are probably more worried about the Navy game next week. But the home field makes a big difference when a team from the south has to go way north.

Mitchell Northam: Tulane -4.5

Y’all remember how Notre Dame’s games against Army and Navy went pretty similarly? I think we’ll see the same against the Green Wave.

Christian D’Andrea: Army +4.5

TROOPS.

Michelle Martinelli: Army +4.5

I think Tulane will win, if for no other reason than to make up for the Memphis loss. But Army is tricky and should force this one to come down to the end.

Tyler Nettuno: Tulane -4.5

The Memphis game took a lot of wind out of the sails, but this is still a Green Wave team I like a lot. Army has only faced one test tougher than this all year, and we all saw how that went.

No. 16 Iowa State vs. No. 15 Arizona State, Saturday, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, noon ET on ABC


Opening Line: Arizona State -1.5

Blake Schuster: Arizona State -2.5

CAM SKATTEBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Mitchell Northam: Arizona State -2.5

This is me sticking it to Iowa State fans after they flooded my mentions this week because I hurt their feelings with my AP Top 25 men’s basketball vote. Anyways, one team has Cam Skattebo, and the other doesn’t.

Christian D’Andrea: Arizona State -2.5

The Big 12 is such a mess this year, I genuinely have no idea how this one will turn out.

Michelle Martinelli: Arizona State -2.5

Ah, yes, the Big 12 title game everyone predicted… Cam Skattebo is a star, and Iowa State’s defense is giving up a lot of rushing yards this season. Skattebo will lead the winning charge on the ground.

Tyler Nettuno: Arizona State -2.5

This feels like a pretty evenly matched game. But the Sun Devils are the hotter team (I’m sorry), so I’m rolling with them.

No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 2 Texas, Saturday, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, 4 p.m. ET on ABC


Opening Line: Texas -1.5

Blake Schuster: Texas -2.5

Full disclosure, I jumped on this line at -1.5 but would still take this number. Texas still looks elite. Georgia is limping. This might as well be a home game for the Bulldogs, but the Longhorns have played at Michigan, Arkansas and Texas A&M. The environment won’t be a shock.

Mitchell Northam: Georgia +2.5

Didn’t we already see this game? And now it’s being played in the state of Georgia?

Christian D’Andrea: Texas -2.5

The Longhorns are simply playing better football right now.

Michelle Martinelli: Texas -2.5

Small but accurate spread, and I could have convinced myself either way. But on the theory that the loser of the first game wins the in-season rematch, going with the Longhorns, who also look better right now.

Tyler Nettuno: Texas -2.5

Picking against Kirby Smart in a rematch feels like fodder for looking real stupid, but Texas has been the more consistent team this season despite the result in Austin earlier this year.

No. 3 Penn State vs. No. 1 Oregon, Saturday, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, 8 p.m. ET on CBS


Opening Line: Oregon -3.5

Blake Schuster: Penn State +3.5

What if I told you the big game James Franklin finally wins is the only one Penn State didn’t care about?

Mitchell Northam: Oregon -3.5

This is a big game, and James Franklin does not win big games.

Christian D’Andrea: Oregon -3.5

We all know how James Franklin does against top-5 teams.

Michelle Martinelli: Penn State +3.5

Oregon wins and keeps its undefeated season intact, but the Nittany Lions — even in a big game, I know, I know — keep it closer than this.

Tyler Nettuno: Oregon -3.5

The Ducks haven’t really faced a tough test since the win over Ohio State, and there have been a couple instances of shakiness. If Penn State looked just a bit more dangerous, I’d be more intrigued here.

No. 17 Clemson vs. No. 8 SMU, Saturday, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, 8 p.m. ET on ABC


Opening Line: Clemson -1.5

Blake Schuster: SMU -2.5

I was all set to pick Clemson until South Carolina turned the Tigers’ defense into Swiss cheese.

Mitchell Northam: Clemson +2.5

I think SMU is good and deserves a CFP spot. Whether the committee agrees with me is another matter. But this is turf that Clemson dominates on, and I think we’re about to witness a classic, “Screw you, we’re still Clemson” type performance. The Tigers are 8-0 in ACC championship games since 2011. Their only loss in Charlotte in that span was in 2021 to Georgia — and SMU ain’t Georgia.

Christian D’Andrea: Clemson +2.5

SMU AIN’T PLAYED NOBODY, PAWLLLLLL.

Michelle Martinelli: Clemson +2.5

I am begging SMU to make me wrong on another pick involving Clemson.

Tyler Nettuno: SMU -2.5

The Mustangs truly have skated by on a weak schedule; there’s no denying it. But they’re also a well-rounded team, and I think this is a good matchup for them.

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Drake bet so much money on Mike Tyson to beat Jake Paul

That’s A LOT of money.

Here we go again with another big Drake bet on a sporting event.

Despite the fact that it’s felt like the so-called Drake Curse in the sports world has gotten broken over the years, he’s still taken some Ls when it’s come to massive bets.

We’ll see what the outcome is of this bet, but with so much money pouring in on Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, it’s no surprise the rapper threw in some money. To be specific, he bet $355,000 on … Mike Tyson to win!

The win would net him over a million bucks, so good luck to him.

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What time will Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight on Friday? The expected main event walk-in times.

Here’s when we think the fight will start.

When will Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight on Friday night on Netflix, after the slap seen ’round the world?

Great question, friends. That’s a bit complicated.

There are six other fights on the undercard, including Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano for a bunch of lightweight titles.

MORE TYSON VS. PAUL: 6 photos of Tyson slapping Paul at weigh-in

So we can tell you that the Netflix event starts at 8 p.m. on Friday, November 15 2024. But given that we don’t know how long those six other bouts will go, we don’t know the true time for the walk-ins by Tyson and Paul.

The estimate we’ve seen is around 11 p.m. Eastern. But don’t hold us to that.

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Is Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul free on Netflix?

Here’s your answer.

Let’s start with the bad news: you will have to pay for Netflix if you want to see Mike Tyson fight Jake Paul on Friday.

The good news, and I think this is what you’re looking for: if you’re already a subscriber to Netflix, the fight doesn’t cost anything extra if you want to watch a 58-year-old fighter and the YouTuber go head to head.

MORE TYSON VS. PAUL: 6 photos of Tyson slapping Paul at weigh-in

As for the business of getting Netflix for the fight? If you want the standard version with ads, it costs $6.99 a month. Without ads? It’s $15.49 a month.

Really, that’s all you need to know!

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