CFB New Year's Eve: The non playoff bowls remain the best bets

CFB YTD 10-10 +3.85 units

4* GOY 1-0 +4.0 units

3* 1-0 +3.0 units

1* 8-10 -3.15 units

Bowls/Playoffs 4-1 +7.9 units

I eked out wins on SD State and Houston Saturday to improve my bowl record to 4-1 which also includes my only 4* and 3* plays of the year.  Lots of people shy away from the non-playoff games because of opt-outs, coaching changes, etc., but I think these create great opportunities for those who pay attention.

Wednesday:

1* Texas -7

(THIS LINE WAS POSTED BY ME IN A THREAD TWO WEEKS AGO.  IT HAS SINCE MOVED UP A HALF POINT.)  Even without the insane drama involving a lunatic coach, I'd fade Michigan here.  Michigan had a rather soft schedule in the Big 10 and Washington was its only quality win of the year.  Underwood has been only OK at QB and the team showed no improvement all year, likely because of the crappy coaching.  The hiring of Whittingham has numerous players likely thinking about the portal and there could be lots of opt-outs by game time.  Texas has stability with the coaching staff intact and Arch Manning playing and coming back next year.  Texas' offense wasn't as dominant as in the past but there are several quality wins here including over two playoff teams (Oklahoma and A & M). Two of the three losses were t elite teams (Ohio State and Georgia). I hate laying points in bowl games but Texas seems better by double digits.

Opinion only:
Texas Tech +2 1/2

I agree. I really like TCU. 

@Ravensfan2k3

 Check out Hoover the TCU QB , I think he opted out for the portal and their two backups haven't played this season. Also, Lemon USC's top receiver is opting out for the NFJ draft..............................just a heads up

Good luck Griswold.  

@Skiball57

collect info. USC vs Tcu is a tough one.

good luck -- TCU/USC toughie IMHO as both sides have lost a high level of offense production due to opt outs and portal -- USC down top two WR and top 2-3 TE with TCU down QB (and his loss is major) 

USC will roll TCU tonight. One of the easier ones if there is such a thing in these bowl games. USC by double digits. 

coaching staff is not intact at Texas and like most teams have lost good players to the portal.  i dont have an opinion tbh because I do think Michigan isnt all that great but Texas has shown big cracks defensively late in the season (hence Kwiatkowski's firing) and they are without their best players on defense as well as their top RB.  I think Texas/Arch are looking for some offensive fireworks to lead into the Spring and the 45.5 seemed very low to me which is what I grabbed on the over.  I think I would rather take my chances there.  I'd be much more inclined to take a 7 point B1G dog over an SEC team at this point.  

good luck with the pick though. 

@BoatRace

 It is tough but usc has its starting QB and tcu does not. Not hard to say I'd take USC's backups over tcu's any day, any game

Now 5-1 in bowls and was correct in saying Texas by double digits.  Playoff games are tough; the non-playoff bowls is where I want to be.  Likely one more on Friday