Bowl season is the best season, and we have a plethora of postseason bowl games culminating in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 19, 2026.
In the meantime, Covers sports betting analysts Andrew Caley and Douglas Farmer have shared their best moneyline college football predictions for all 43 postseason bowl games.
Read on for our college football picks for the 2025 bowl season, beginning Saturday, December 13.
College football bowl game moneyline picks
| Game |  Andrew |
 Douglas |
|---|---|---|
 vs  |
-370 |
-350 |
 vs  |
+110 |
+140 |
 vs  |
+138 |
-240 |
 vs  |
+126 |
+116 |
 vs  |
+100 |
-118 |
 vs  |
+138 |
+140 |
 vs  |
+176 |
+172 |
 vs  |
-105 |
-110 |
 vs  |
+146 |
+146 |
 vs  |
-900 |
-1050 |
 vs  |
-3000 |
-2300 |
 vs  |
-150 |
-156 |
 vs  |
-330 |
-315 |
 vs  |
-178 |
-184 |
 vs  |
-194 |
-192 |
 vs |
-132 |
-140 |
 vs  |
-465 |
-465 |
 vs  |
+115 |
+115 |
 vs  |
-320 |
-320 |
 vs  |
+158 |
+172 |
 vs  |
-188 |
-152 |
 vs  |
+164 |
-152 |
 vs  |
+158 |
+158 |
 vs  |
-164 |
-162 |
 vs  |
-156 |
+136 |
 vs  |
-260 |
+190 |
 vs  |
-146 |
-146 |
 vs  |
-176 |
+114 |
 vs  |
-330 |
-310 |
 vs  |
+168 |
+172 |
 vs  |
-215 |
-210 |
 vs  |
-210 |
-220 |
 vs  |
-130 |
-122 |
 vs  |
-285 |
-192 |
 vs  |
-780 |
-800 |
 vs  |
-410 |
+310 |
 vs  |
+152 |
-154 |
 vs  |
-146 |
-142 |
 vs  |
-132 |
-132 |
College football bowl predictions
LA Bowl prediction: Boise State vs Washington
Demond Williams will outduel Maddux Madsen, who could be without his starting left tackle, after declaring for the NFL Draft.
Washington quarterback Demond Williams burst onto the scene in last year’s Sun Bowl, throwing for 374 yards and four touchdown passes on 26-of-32 passing. Williams may replicate that on Saturday against a Boise State defense that has faced only one comparable passing offense, thoroughly exposed by Notre Dame in September.
Salute to Veterans Bowl prediction: Troy vs Jacksonville State
The Trojans already had one of the worst offenses of any bowl-eligible team, and starting running back Tae Meadows entered the transfer portal. The Gamecocks' power rushing attack behind QB Caden Creel and RB Cam Cook will control the game.
Troy quarterback Goose Crowder suffered an injury in the Sun Belt championship game that very well could hold him out of this matchup just 11 days later. And against Jacksonville State’s rushing attack, the Trojans will need some offensive success to keep up.
Cure Bowl prediction: Old Dominion vs South Florida
Both the Monarchs and Bulls will be without their starting quarterbacks in this one. But Old Dominion still has its head coach and offensive coordinator, plus an underrated defense.
South Florida’s offense has not had a bad afternoon since September. This game could become one final showcase.
68 Ventures Bowl prediction: Louisiana vs Delaware
It feels like the Ragin’ Cajuns are favored here just because of their pedigree. But the Fighting Blue Hens are the better team in this matchup. They have a balanced offense and a run defense that should take away Louisiana’s only strength.
Delaware’s absolute delight of a debut season at the FBS level concludes with an upset in Mobile. Frankly, the Blue Hens should be favored.
Xbox Bowl prediction: Missouri State vs Arkansas State
Mo State is another former FCS that found plenty of success in its first FBS season. Bears QB Jacob Clark can huck it a bit, and Arkansas State has one of the worst pass defenses in the country, ranking 131st in defensive success rate on dropbacks.
Missouri State’s offense is the best unit in this game, and its pass-heavy approach should find success against the No. 131 defense in drop-back success rate, per CFB-graphs.com.
Myrtle Beach Bowl prediction: Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan
The CUSA and MAC champions face off in this bowl game. This should be a tight game, but I like the Owls to hit a couple of big plays on the ground, where the Broncos have been susceptible to explosive plays.
Western Michigan runs the ball at the eighth-highest relative rate in the country, but it is hardly a potent rushing attack, and it now faces one of the Group of Five’s better rush defenses, No. 15 in expected points added (EPA) per rush against among the Group of Five.
Gasparilla Bowl prediction: Memphis vs NC State
Memphis will be without its head coach, but NC State is dealing with a lot of potential opt-outs, and frankly, the Wolfpack just weren’t up to snuff this season.
North Carolina State’s pass defense has been a weakness all year long, a clear vulnerability for Memphis to exploit, whatever version of the Tigers’ roster and staff shows up.
CFP First Round prediction: Alabama vs Oklahoma
The Sooners know they can hang with Alabama after beating the Tide in Tuscaloosa just a few weeks ago. Oklahoma has arguably the best defense in the country, while Alabama hasn’t looked good for more than a month now.
In a game that could have a total in the 20s, let’s trust the better offense, even if Alabama is incapable of running the ball. Ty Simpson finding Ryan Williams downfield one time could be enough to advance to the Playoff quarterfinals.
CFP First Round prediction: Miami vs Texas A&M
If Carson Beck plays well and Mario Cristobal stays out of his own way, the Hurricanes can beat anyone in the country. Those are big ifs, but at this value, I like The U to pull off the upset.
Miami’s defensive line should prove the difference.
CFP First Round prediction: Tulane vs Mississippi
An intriguing coaching matchup here. Tulane’s John Sumrall took the Florida job but will be with the Green Wave until the end of their season. While Mississippi’s Lane Kiffin went to LSU. But Defensive coordinator Pete Golding is the new head coach, and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. will stay with the team at least through the CFP.
Do not fault Tulane. Blame Larry Scott for never securing a worthwhile television contract for the Pac-12. And fault Pac-12 university administrators for mishandling their finances during the pandemic to such an extent that the schools, not just the athletic departments, desperately needed the money not coming in from television deals. The death of the Pac-12 turned the Power Five into a Power Four and meant the fifth conference champion slot in the Playoff each year would go to an overmatched Group of Five champion.
CFP First Round prediction: James Madison vs Oregon
James Madison is a fun team, but it is in over its head in this matchup with Oregon. The Ducks look like a legitimate title contender with their elite running game and Dante Moore under center.
Do not fault James Madison. Fault the ACC for bloating too much for any reasonable tiebreakers to influence the conference championship.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl prediction: Washington State vs Utah State
The Aggies were one of the best bets in college football this season, going 10-2 ATS. That includes 4-0 ATS down the stretch with their lone losses to MWC title participants Boise State and UNLV by a combined four points. Meanwhile, Washington State head coach Jimmy Rogers has left the team to take the job at Iowa State.
Washington State may be the better team, but how focused are the Cougars going to be just two weeks after the sudden and unexpected departure of head coach Jimmy Rogers after just one season with Washington State?
Boca Raton Bowl prediction: Toledo vs Louisville
Toledo head coach Jason Candle is off to UConn, so there could be several opt-outs coming, particularly in the secondary. That should be too much for the Rockets to overcome against this Cardinals team.
It is not an encouraging sign for your football program when its well-established head coach takes the job at UConn. It is not an encouraging sign for your entire conference when its most proven head coach takes the job at UConn. Jason Candle’s choice tells you all you need to know about Toledo this December.
New Orleans Bowl prediction: Western Kentucky vs Southern Miss
Southern Miss head coach Charles Huff has taken the job at Memphis. Hilltoppers QB Maverick McIvor should cook against a Golden Eagles defense that ranks 85th in EPA per dropback.
Western Kentucky’s dynamic, high-volume passing offense should feast on Southern Mississippi’s defense, which is weaker against the pass than the run.
Frisco Bowl prediction: UNLV vs Ohio
Dan Mullen’s first season at UNLV was pretty successful, coming up just short in the MWC championship game. The Rebels will ride the run game against an Ohio defense that ranks 120th in EPA per rush.
Ohio put head coach Brian Smith on leave at the start of December with no further details provided. Assume that provides some uncertainty to the Bobcats’ bowl preparations.
Hawai'i prediction: California vs Hawai'i
Cal QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is staying put in Berkeley. Meaning he plays in this game, and he’ll be the best player in this game. He’ll be the difference in getting the Golden Bears a win.
New Cal head coach Tosh Lupoi’s first task was to keep Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele in the fold. Originally from Hawai’i, Cal quickly accepting a Hawai’i bid certainly helped please Sagapolutele. He should show off in this pseudo-homecoming.
GameAbove Sports Bowl prediction: Central Michigan vs Northwestern
It sounds like Northwestern running backs Caleb Komolafe and Joseph Himon will play in this game. If they do, the Wildcats should roll against a Chippewas defense that ranked 110th in EPA per rush.
Northwestern might be the most surprising bowl team in the country.
Rate Bowl prediction: New Mexico vs Minnesota
The Lobos have been one of the best stories in college football this season, going 9-3 with the fewest returning players in college football. The Golden Gophers' offense is bad enough to keep New Mexico in this game.
Few things sound more miserable than preparing for an offense as unique as New Mexico’s while undoubtedly losing contributors from your defense to opt-outs.
First Responder Bowl prediction: FIU vs UTSA
It was a tough season for the Roadrunners, but they ended their season on a high note with a win in this bowl. UTSA running back Robert Henry Jr. is primed for a big day against a Golden Panthers defense that ranks 105th in success rate vs. the rush.
Consider this for one of your strongest bets in any bowl confidence pools. UTSA has the two best units in this game and by a significant margin.
Military Bowl prediction: Pittsburgh vs East Carolina
Pitt’s offense has struggled with consistency all season. While East Carolina has an underrated defense and a quarterback who can chuck it in Katin Houser.
As long as Katin Houser plays on Dec. 27, risk the moneyline with East Carolina. That offense is too high-powered to be priced as nearly a touchdown underdog.
Pinstripe Bowl prediction: Penn State vs Clemson
Penn State is in flux with an interim head coach. The Nittany Lions have a ton of NFL talent at running back and offensive line. Expect most of them to opt out. While it sounds like Dabo Swinney says he doesn’t expect many opt-outs. Clemson has proven it will still fight in a lost season.
Penn State’s roster is about to see a pile of opt-outs, between the NFL draft and the turnover that will be natural to Matt Campbell taking over the job at relatively late notice.
Fenway Bowl prediction: UConn vs Army
It sounds like seventh-year senior QB Joe Fagnano will play in this game. Which is great for the Huskies because he had an incredible season with 28 TDs and just 1 INT. Army’s 121st-rated defense will have trouble slowing him down.
Broadly speaking, bet on service academies in bowl games. If their opponent is at all unfocused, preparing for the option offense will go awry.
Pop-Tarts Bowl prediction: Georgia Tech vs BYU
The non-playoff granddaddy of them all! Haynes King in the Pop-Tarts Bowl? Sign me up. Running QBs have given BYU problems this season, and there aren’t many running QBs in college football better than King.
Betting on Brent Key as an underdog at Georgia Tech has been a very profitable decision the last few years.
Arizona Bowl prediction: Miami (Ohio) vs Fresno State
The RedHawks have issues at QB. Starter DeQuann Finn left the team a few weeks ago, and the team has gotten sketchy play from freshman Tommy Gotkowski and veteran Henry Hesson. Fresno State’s strength is its defense, and it should carry it to a win in this bowl.
Miami freshman quarterback Thomas Gotkowski struggled mightily in his third start, the MAC title game. And Fresno State’s defense is significantly better than Western Michigan’s.
New Mexico Bowl prediction: North Texas vs San Diego State
North Texas was oh-so-close to the College Football Playoff. QB Drew Mestemaker is one of the best stories in college football, helping the Mean Green rank among the most prolific offenses in the country. San Diego State has a solid defense, but its offense will hold it back here.
How certain are you that North Texas’s offense will stay intact and not start trickling toward Oklahoma State already? Against a top-15 passing defense, every piece of Mean Green roster attrition will matter.
Gator Bowl prediction: Virginia vs Missouri
Mizzou is the more well-rounded team in this matchup. As long as the Tigers don’t suffer too many opt-outs, they should come out on top here.
Tony Elliott needs to get every ounce of value out of this roster that he can, an all-in attempt in the transfer portal to save his job that worked and could now give him more of a runway moving forward.
Texas Bowl prediction: LSU vs Houston
The Lane Kiffin era at LSU kind of begins. But this version of the Bayou Bengals will vaguely resemble next season’s team. Houston QB Connor Weigman announced he is returning and will shine as he leads the Cougars to a win.
LSU’s disappointing and melodramatic season is going to end in misery, playing against Willie Fritz’s run-always ethos.
Birmingham Bowl prediction: Georgia Southern vs App State
The Eagles offense will be the best unit on the field in this game and should have plenty of success against a Mountaineers defense that ranks 121st in opponent EPA per play.
Georgia Southern jumped out to a 19-0 lead in their early November meeting, a rare bowl game rematch and an almost unprecedented conference matchup in a bowl game. That's because the 5-7 team, after the 5-7 team turned down the chance to play Georgia Southern, finally agreed to play Appalachian State. Seems like the Mountaineers may have a grudge to settle.
Independence Bowl prediction: Coastal Carolina vs Louisiana Tech
Coastal Carolina fired head coach Tim Beck heading into this bowl game. The Bulldogs' defense will be the story here, shutting down the Chanticleers.
The Coastal Carolina program's direction is uncertain, with an up-and-down season leading to the firing of Tim Beck despite exceeding most expectations.
Music City Bowl prediction: Tennessee vs Illinois
The Vols could be dealing with a lot of opt-outs, including their best player, wide receiver Chris Brazzell III. Illinois should be almost at full strength.
The greatest trick Josh Heupel ever pulled was convincing the world he had a defense in 2024, that one season somehow removing all doubts in Tennessee’s defense, even now, despite the Volunteers’ ranking No. 49 in the country in adjusted defensive EPA, not able to stand up in any particular regard on that side of the ball.
Alamo Bowl prediction: USC vs TCU
Keep an eye on the QBs here. If Jayden Maiava plays, the Trojans should win. The question is, does TCU QB Josh Hoover follow his offensive coordinator to South Carolina?
Lincoln Riley needs to keep building offensive momentum, just as he successfully did in last year’s Las Vegas Bowl against Texas A&M.
ReliaQuest Bowl prediction: Iowa vs Vanderbilt
I can’t fade Vanderbilt in Diego Pavia’s last dance. It sounds unlikely that Vandy’s star QB will win the Heisman. But you know he’s going to give his all to put on one final show for college football fans everywhere.
Has there ever been a player more certain not to opt out of a bowl game than Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia? And has there ever been a player more certain to risk life and limb in a bowl game than Pavia?
Sun Bowl prediction: Arizona State vs Duke
It sounds like Sun Devils star QB Sam Leavitt will transfer, leaving the job to Jeff Simms for this bowl. Duke should be set with Darian Mensah for another season in Durham. Unless he declares for the NFL Draft.
Arizona State’s coaching staff may be more focused on the portal this December, particularly after quarterback Sam Leavitt has already reportedly made that decision. Add that intangible to the edge gained by Duke when Manny Diaz has nearly a month to prepare for Jeff Sims.
Citrus Bowl prediction: Michigan vs Texas
I would be shocked if Arch Manning declared for the NFL Draft. He needs to rebuild his stock, starting with a nice bowl win. And frankly, I don’t want anything to do with this Michigan program at the moment.
Michigan’s offense is one-dimensional and its defense is susceptible to passing attacks.
Las Vegas Bowl prediction: Nebraska vs Utah
Dylan Raiola is already out for the year, and now star running back Emmett Johnson has opted out. Devon Dampier and the Utes should overwhelm the Cornhuskers in Vegas.
Is this finally Kyle Whittingham’s final game? Probably not. But it is always reason to bet on Utah in the postseason, especially against a Nebraska program once again mired in transition.
Armed Forces Bowl prediction: Rice vs Texas State
There should be plenty of points in this bowl, but the Bobcats’ backfield combination of Brad Jackson and Lincoln Pare will be too much for the Owls to handle.
Rice’s shotgun option with as many horizontal wrinkles as vertical is an offense that demands complete focus from the opposition, and complete focus can be challenging to find in bowl season.
Liberty Bowl prediction: Navy vs Cincinnati
The Bearcats might be one of the most underappreciated teams in college football this season. I love Blake Horvath, but if Cincy QB Brendan Sorsby plays, the wrong team is favored here.
Broadly speaking, bet on service academies in bowl games. If their opponent is at all unfocused, preparing for the option offense will go awry.
Holiday Bowl prediction: Arizona vs SMU
The Wildcats are another undervalued team with a veteran QB in Noah Fifita and one of the best defenses in the country, no one talks about.
The Wildcats were never properly appreciated this season, while the ACC’s comedy covered up many of the Mustangs’ flaws.
Duke's Mayo Bowl prediction: Wake Forest vs Mississippi State
What a season it could have been for the Bulldogs. With so many close calls. OT losses to Tennessee and Texas and a two-point loss to Florida. Mississippi State is better than its 5-7 record and is getting a little undervalued against a Wake Forest team with no offense.
Neither of these teams looked like six-win programs in the preseason. Okay, sure, Mississippi State went just 5-7, but still, that was well beyond expectations. And the Bulldogs were even better than that in some ways, starting the season 8-1 against the spread before finishing it with three straight games against some of the SEC’s best, going 0-3 ATS in those three games.
With every matchup now listed, your best edge is finding the top price across sportsbooks. Moneyline value swings quickly in bowl season — especially with opt-outs and late injury news — so make sure you’re betting the best available number.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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