Tag: College Football quarterfinal odds lines picks predictions best bets

College Football Playoff: Notre Dame vs. Georgia odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Notre Dame vs. Georgia odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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Update Jan. 1, 10:18 p.m. ET: Wednesday’s Sugar Bowl between the Notre Dame Fightin Irish and Georgia Bulldogs was moved to Thursday at 4 p.m. ET due to the deadly French Quarter attack early New Year’s Day.

Original column below (published Jan. 1, 12:10 p.m. ET)

The No. 5 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish (12-1) face the No. 2 seed Georgia Bulldogs (11-2, 6-2 SEC) Wednesday in the Sugar Bowl edition of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Kickoff from New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome on New Year’s Day is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Notre Dame vs. Georgia odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

This showdown of top-5 teams in the Coaches Poll (US LBM Coaches Poll) comes with a few significant injuries, but plenty of talent to lead either side to a possible CFP semifinals berth.

As SEC Champions, Georgia received a first-round bye, but will have to compete without starting QB Carson Beck, who’s out with an injury to his right (throwing) elbow.

Sophomore Gunner Stockton lines up to take snaps. Following Beck’s injury at the end of the first half of the SEC Championship Game, Stockton led a second-half comeback that eventually produced a 22-19 overtime win over Texas.

Stockton must now deal with the vaunted Notre Dame defense, which shined in its 27-17 Round 1 CFP victory over the Indiana Hoosiers.

Notre Dame’s outlook has surged due to defensive coordinator Al Golden’s system of playmakers (including top NFL Draft prospect safety Xavier Watts) and an elite run game led by QB Riley Leonard (2,293 passing yards, 751 rush yards, 17 pass TDs, 15 rush TDs) and RB Jeremiyah Love (1,057 rushing yards, 16 TDs).

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Sugar Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Georgia odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated at 7:01 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Notre Dame -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Georgia -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Notre Dame -1 (-105) | Georgia +1 (-115)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 45.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Notre Dame vs. Georgia picks and predictions

Prediction

Notre Dame 24, Georgia 20

Moneyline

Georgia will be tested for a full game without Beck against one of the country’s best defenses, especially stopping air attacks (162.3 passing yards/game ranks the Irish third in the nation).

Notre Dame’s scheming has already adeptly overcome many significant defensive injuries, and Golden should account for the significant loss of defensive lineman Rylie Mills (knee).

This game is priced as a coin flip, but BetMGM gives the slight value nudge to the underdogs — luckily for us.

BET NOTRE DAME (-110).

Against the spread

PASS.

Bet the Irish for the outright win.

Over/Under

Expect both clubs to try to slow the pace through the ground game: Though typically explosive this season, Notre Dame will play to its strength (11th in the nation with 222.4 rushing yards per game) to maintain possession against an SEC juggernaut that’s likely better than most defenses the Irish have faced.

Meanwhile, Georgia will aim to ease the burden on Stockton through RBs Nate Frazier (634 yards, 8 TDs) and Trevor Etienne (571 yards, 9 TDs).

Fade the scoring ceiling that has slightly more beneficial juice.

BET UNDER 45.5 (-115).

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College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
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College Football Playoff: Ohio State vs. Oregon odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Ohio State vs. Oregon odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-2) and No. 1 Oregon Ducks (13-0) meet Wednesday in Pasadena, for a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game. Kickoff from the Rose Bowl is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Ohio State vs. Oregon odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

This is the highly-anticipated rematch we thought we might see in the Big Ten Championship Game until Ohio State wet the bed in the regular-season finale against Michigan at home, losing 13-10.

The Buckeyes rebounded rather nicely, as the No. 8 seed buried No. 9 seed Tennessee in a first-round matchup in Columbus Dec. 21, winning 42-17 to easily cover as 7-point favorites with the Over (47) cashing.

Now, will it be like Major League Baseball, where it seems the team with a long rest on a bye is rather rusty, while the lower seed has momentum? We’ll find out quickly.

Oregon topped Ohio State in Eugene Oct. 12, winning 32-31 in a great game. The Buckeyes led 31-29 until PK Atticus Sappington booted through the game-winning field goal with 1:47 left. The Buckeyes still had a chance, and were moving down the field, but QB Will Howard mismanaged the clock a bit, running out of time.

Ohio State went for 141 rushing yards and 326 yards through the air, while Oregon had 155 yards on ground with 341 passing yards. The Buckeyes had 22 first downs to just 18 for the Ducks, but Ohio State also racked up 8 penalties, something it cannot repeat.

Ohio State is 4-2 against the spread (ATS) in the past 6 games, with the Under going 5-2 in the past 7 outings. However, the Over did hit in the 1-point loss to the Ducks.

Oregon topped Penn State 45-37 in the Big Ten title game, covering a 3-point spread, and a late Nittany Lions score made that look closer than it was. The Over has hit in Oregon’s past 2 games, while it is on a 6-2 ATS roll in the past 8 outings.

Rankings – US LBM Coaches Poll: Conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

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Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs. Oregon odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated at 6:41 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Ohio State -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Oregon +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
  • Against the spread: Ohio State -2.5 (-115) | Oregon +2.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 55.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Ohio State vs. Oregon picks and predictions

Prediction

Ohio State 36, Oregon 30

Moneyline

OHIO STATE (-140) is worth a look if you’re more on the conservative side, and it isn’t a terrible idea just to take it straight up to toss into a multi-leg parlay.

Seriously, it very well could come down to a 1- or 2-point game (again), and a potential 2-point conversion for the tie or win late in regulation. The first game was decided by a single point, so it isn’t terrible to be on the safe side.

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Against the spread

OHIO STATE -2.5 (-115) is the play, as the Buckeyes roll into Pasadena with a new lease on life. Things were glum in C-Bus after the Buckeyes stunk up the joint against rival Michigan in the finale despite entering as a 20-point favorites. However, the Buckeyes reinvigorated their sometimes fickle fanbase with a thrashing of Tennessee in the CFP opener.

It might raise some eyebrows that the only unbeaten team in FBS (Oregon) is an underdog. However, the Ducks have had some near-misses, including against Ohio State as well as against the Boise State Broncos and Wisconsin Badgers. This team can be had.

Over/Under

OVER 55.5 (-110) might be the best play on the board. Oh, Nelly!

We’re going to have some points in the granddaddy of them all, which would make the late Keith Jackson proud. This isn’t your typical Big Ten football, where it’s 3 yards and a cloud of dust. These teams can roll up the passing yards and points like a video game.

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College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
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College Football Playoff: Texas vs. Arizona State odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Texas vs. Arizona State odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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In the first of 3 College Football Playoff quarterfinal games New Year’s Day, the Peach Bowl features the fifth-seeded Texas Longhorns (12-2) facing the No. 4 seed Arizona State Sun Devils (11-2). Kickoff from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is at 1 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Texas vs. Arizona State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

Texas won its first-round playoff game Dec. 21 vs. 12th-seeded Clemson 38-24. The Longhorns covered as 13.5-point home favorites and the Over (49.5) cashed. The Longhorns’ 2 losses came to No. 2 Georgia, once in the regular season (30-15) and then in the SEC Championship (22-19). Texas’ defense ranks second in the nation in points allowed per game (13.3) behind Ohio State (11.4).

The Sun Devils earned a first-round bye after winning the Big 12 Championship in their first season in the conference. They won their final 6 games, knocking off the Iowa State Cyclones in the conference title game 45-19 as 1.5-point underdogs Dec. 7 in Arlington, Texas. ASU was led by RB Cam Skattebo, who has 2,074 total yards from scrimmage (1,568 rushing) and 22 total TDs.

While Arizona State is the higher seed, Texas is the higher ranked team in the US LBM Coaches Poll (conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports). The Sun Devils are No. 10; the Longhorns are No. 4.

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Peach Bowl: Texas vs. Arizona State odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated at 12:55 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Texas -550 (bet $550 to win $100) | Arizona State +400 (bet $100 to win $400)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Texas -13 (-110) | Arizona State +13 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 51.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Texas vs. Arizona State picks and predictions

Prediction

Texas 34, Arizona State 27

Moneyline

Along with ranking second in scoring defense, Texas is No. 2 against the pass (156.9 yards per game behind Ohio State’s 141.2 YPG) and 11th against the run (104.5 rushing YPG).

Arizona State’s strength is its rushing attack, averaging 198.8 yards per game to rank 23rd — led by Skattebo’s 6.0 yards per carry. QB Sam Leavitt threw only 5 INTs all season — vs. 24 TDs — but is expected to be without his top receiver in Jordyn Tyson (upper-body injury), who caught 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 scores — all team-highs.

Texas averaged 33.9 points per game (25th in the country) with a balanced attack. The Longhorns were considered a top-5 team all season, while the Sun Devils rose in the rankings over the last half of the season.

It is hard to see the Sun Devils (+400) getting the upset, but the Longhorns’ -550 odds offer no value and are not worth betting.

PASS.

Against the spread

While Texas is the overwhelming favorite, Arizona State has done nothing but outplay expectations this season. The Sun Devils averaged 37.1 points per game over their final 6 games and scored 45 in the Big 12 Championship against Iowa State — which scored 42 in a 1-point win over Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Texas shut down Clemson’s run game in the first round of the playoffs, allowing only 76 yards, but Clemson QB Cade Klubnik passed for 336 yards and 3 TDs.

Slowing Skattebo will be something different and the Sun Devils were 4-2 ATS as underdogs.

BET ARIZONA STATE +13 (-110).

Over/Under

Four of the Devils’ final 6 games had more than 51 total points. Texas’ win over Clemson had 62.

Texas only had 1 conference game with a total higher than 51 but 4 of its 5 non-SEC games surpassed 51 points.

BET OVER 51.5 (-105).

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College Football Playoff: Penn State vs. Boise State odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Boise State vs. Penn State odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The No. 5 Penn State Nittany Lions (12-2, 8-1 Big Ten) square off against the No. 8 Boise State Broncos (12-1, 7-0 Mountain West) on Tuesday in the Fiesta Bowl to start the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff. Kickoff  from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) on New Year’s Eve. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Penn State vs. Boise State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

Both of these top-10 teams (US LBM Coaches Poll) delivered a huge win in their most recent game.

Boise State won the Mountain West Championship Game 21-7 on the back of Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty (209 rushing yards, 1 TD) to earn a first-round CFP bye. The Broncos’ only loss of the season came in Week 2 versus the No. 1 Oregon Ducks.

Penn State roared past the SMU Mustangs 38-10 in Round 1 of the CFP after falling short in its Big Ten Championship Game against Oregon. Its only other defeat came from another elite Big Ten club: the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Despite earning the first-round bye, the MWC champions are underdogs against the Big Ten powerhouse. Will the Broncos prove the market has underestimated them, or will the Power 5 pedigree push Penn State through to the CFP semifinals?

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Fiesta Bowl: Penn State vs. Boise State odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated Monday at 7:31 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Penn State -450 (bet $450 to win $100) | Boise State +350 (bet $100 to win $350)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Penn State -10.5 (-115) | Boise State +10.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 52.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Penn State vs. Boise State picks and predictions

Prediction

Penn State 30, Boise State 24

Moneyline

Drew Allar has not been super-exciting at quarterback for Penn State, but has guided this offense to lean on the run game of Nicholas Singleton (928 yards, 8 rushing TDs) and Kaytron Allen (892 yards, 8 TDs).

Jeanty is a beast, but Penn State has a more diverse well of capable players to control possession.

A sprinkle bet on BSU is tempting, but anyone looking to back the favorites will not find value along the moneyline.

PASS, barring a sprinkle bet on Boise State (+350).

Against the spread

The presence of Jeanty means the Broncos always have a game-breaking play in the bank. Expect BSU to be playing from behind most of the game, but to hang in and keep pace with its more hyped opponents.

FanDuel Sportsbook presents a more beneficial Boise State line, but less favorable juice at +11.5 (-114).

BET BOISE STATE +10.5 (-105) at BetMGM or BOISE STATE +11.5 (-114) at FanDuel. This writer prefers the former.

Over/Under

Both teams’ scoring upside has been overvalued by betting markets this year: BSU is 7-6 on the total, while PSU sits at 6-8.

That being said, Boise State should remain competitive after receiving extra rest, and both clubs ranked in the top 12 in points per play: Boise State 0.538 (sixth) and Penn State 0.507 (T-12th).

PSU allowed 15.9 points per game (sixth-lowest), but the Broncs proved much more vulnerable at 20.9.

The likely urgency Boise State will display near the end of the game tilts the scales in favor of fading the trend and backing the Over.

BET OVER 52.5 (-115).

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / Recruiting / Transfer portal / College Football Playoffs / College Sports Wire / High School

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