Cotton Bowl: Memphis Tigers vs Penn State Nittany Lions odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Cotton Bowl betting odds between the Memphis Tigers and the Penn State Nittany Lions, with betting picks, tips and bets.

The Memphis Tigers (12-1) will face the Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2) Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, at noon ET (on ESPN). We analyze the Memphis-Penn State odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Memphis vs. Penn State: Three things you need to know

1. The UNDER has hit in seven of the last 10 games for Penn State.

2. Penn State allowed the seventh-fewest points this season, giving up just over 14 points per game.

3. The OVER has hit in 10 of the last 12 games where Memphis was considered the “underdog.”

Memphis vs. Penn State: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:50 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Memphis 35, Penn State 31

Moneyline (ML)

American Athletic Conference champion MEMPHIS (+200) is the play here. Penn State (-250) was surprisingly good this season, but it doesn’t have many quality wins on the schedule. And while you can make the case the Tigers don’t either, their moneyline odds are much more enticing. I’m counting on Memphis to find ways to create chunk plays against Penn State’s defense.

New to sports betting? Every $1 wagered on the Memphis ML will profit $2 if it wins.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Penn State (-7.5, +105) is favored by more than a touchdown despite going just 6-6 ATS this season. Making matters worse, Penn State has covered just twice in its past six games, and Memphis appears to be a team that could give the Nittany Lions fits on defense. I like MEMPHIS (+7.5, -129) to cover.

Over/Under (O/U)

The O/U is 60.5 (Over -106, Under -115), which feels just about right given how well each offense has played this season. It’s worth noting that the Over has hit in seven of the previous 10 games for Memphis as it can put up points with the best of them. I like the OVER 60.5 (-106) to hit in this one.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Marcus_Mosher and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.

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College Football Bowl Betting: Best Parlay Options

Previewing the college football bowl season betting odds and lines, with a look at the best three-team parlay for the holidays.

One of the best parts about bowl season in college football is all of the different betting options available. Below, we are looking at the best three-team parlay you can make for the next two weeks of bowl games.


Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!


College Football Bowl Parlay Bets: Memphis vs. Penn State Moneyline

Photo Credit: Justin Ford – USA TODAY Sports

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, Dec. 12 at 6:15 p.m. ET.

What: Cotton Bowl
When: Saturday, Dec. 28 at noon ET

For the first part of our bet, we are looking for an underdog to win or cover the spread to boost the total odds for our three-leg parlay. That is why I’m eying the Memphis Tigers (12-1) over the Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2) in the Cotton Bowl. Memphis is a 7.5-point underdog despite winning 12 games this season. Memphis has one of the best offenses in college football, averaging 40.5 points per game (PPG) this season to rank eighth in the nation. Memphis will certainly be challenged by a Penn State defense, which allowed just 14.1 PPG to rank seventh overall.

However, I like MEMPHIS (+200) on the moneyline – to win outright as it has proven to be one of the best teams in the country. If the moneyline makes you nervous, consider swapping out this pick with Memphis to cover the 7.5 point spread at -134 instead.

College Football Bowl Parlay Bets: LSU vs. Oklahoma Over/Under

Photo Credit: Matthew Emmons – USA TODAY Sports

What: Peach Bowl
When: Saturday, Dec. 28 at 4 p.m. ET

The Over/Under for LSU-Oklahoma is set at a monstrous 76 points. While both offenses can score 40 or more with ease, these playoff games tend to start off slow, given the amount of time off for the two teams. Don’t be shocked if both use the first quarter or so to “feel” each other out before picking up the tempo on offense.

It’s also worth noting that the Under hit in four of the last five games involving the Sooners. They have proven they are at least somewhat capable of defense this season. Oklahoma should be able to get at least a few stops early in this contest.

While it’s fair to expect a ton of points, bet the UNDER 76 (-110) to hit in the Peach Bowl.

College Football Bowl Parlay Bet: Michigan vs. Alabama Point Spread

Photo Credit: John David Mercer – USA TODAY Sports

What: Citrus Bowl
When: Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. ET

One of the biggest non-playoff bowl games will happen on New Year’s Day as Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines (9-3) will take on Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide (10-2). While Alabama will be without their star quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa, it is still one of the best teams in college football, especially on offense.

That is why ALABAMA (-6.5, -118) is nearly a touchdown favorite here. In the Iron Bowl, Alabama was still able to put up 45 points against the Auburn Tigers without Tagovailoa on the field. The Tide should have no problem covering the spread against a Wolverines team that allowed 56 points to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Expect Alabama to win and cover in this Big Ten-SEC contest.

Altogether, this three-team parlay – with the Memphis ML – will payout at +958 odds. A $10 bet would return a profit of $95.80 if all three hit. It’s a decent-sized payout given the relatively safe bets.

Note: Swapping the Memphis spread in place of the ML lowers the payout to +516.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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