The college football offseason is filled with players opting out and entering the transfer portal, but even at quarterback, there is a chance to see future signal-callers in the NFL outside of the College Football Playoffs. Clayton Toone, who started one game for the Arizona Cardinals this season, threw for 229 yards and three touchdowns in a 23-16 win over Louisiana in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Dec. 23 last season before being selected in the fifth round of the tournament. 2023 NFL Draft.
One quarterback to keep an eye on this year is Tulane’s Michael Pratt, an intriguing prospect who is eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft. Tulane is a 7.5-point underdog against Virginia Tech, according to the latest college football odds from SportsLine Consensus, in the Military Bowl on Dec. 27. If Pratt plays, this could be an example of a quarterback raising his recruiting position in a bowl game, so should you consider playing Tulane in your college football bets? Before you pick any college football game on this or another, be sure to check out our college football betting guide from legendary Vegas handicapper Bruce Marshall.
For years, Vegas-based Marshall has been synonymous with The Gold Sheet, the popular sports betting newsletter. With a background in work-by-play and sports information while in college, Marshall joined TGS in 1981 when he was hired by the legendary Mort Olshan and served as executive editor for many years. Now he brings his unique and colorful brand of football and basketball analysis to SportsLine members.
A sought-after guest on numerous sports talk radio and television shows across the country, Bruce’s wide range of editorial work has been featured in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the New York Post and many other outlets. He has won several handicap titles and is also working on several book projects.
Now, using his Tech Corner style, Marshall has turned his attention to the latest college football odds for the bowl season and evaluated each matchup. Head here to see each selection.
Top college football predictions for bowl season
Marshall recommends one of college football’s top picks for bowl season: He backs South Florida (+3) to cover the spread against Syracuse in the 2023 Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. ET. Marshall also likes the Over (61).
USF’s most impressive showing of the season may have been a loss when the Bulls held Alabama to 17 points in a 17-3 defeat on September 16. It was Alabama’s lowest point total of the season as South Florida proved it can hold the best programs in the nation. South Florida has been at its best when in doubt, as it has a 5-2 ATS record as the underdog compared to a 1-4 ATS record as the favorite. The Bulls have won all three of their games in a row this season as underdogs by 3.5 points or fewer.
Syracuse has allowed 31 points in back-to-back games and South Florida quarterback Byrom Brown is coming off one of his best games of the year. The dual-threat freshman threw for 253 yards and four touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown in a 48-14 win over Charlotte in the final game of the season to become bowl eligible.
Syracuse allowed Georgia Tech dual-threat Haynes King to complete 80% of his passes for 138 yards with two touchdowns. He also rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown on 7.5 yards per carry in a 31-22 win over Syracuse late in the year when the Orange could have been eligible to win. Marshall expects Syracuse to struggle to contain Brown, but with South Florida allowing 36.3 points per game over its last four contests, he also likes more than the 61-point total as it has reached over seven of South Florida’s last nine games. Find out what other choices you can make here.
How to choose college football for bowl season
Marshall has evaluated every other game and is backing the team to a 17-4 mark against the spread. Get betting analysis for every match on SportsLine.
So, what college football picks can you make with confidence, and which team should you support in the 17-4 range? Check out the latest college football odds below, then visit SportsLine to find out which teams to root for, all from the legendary Vegas expert who’s won multiple handicap titles, and find out.
College football odds for bowl season
See more college football picks at SportsLine.
Saturday 16 December
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Georgia Southern vs. Ohio (+3, 49)
New Orleans Bowl: Louisiana vs. Jacksonville State (-2.5, 58.5)
Cure Bowl: Miami (Ohio) vs. Appalachian State (-6.5, 41.5)
New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State vs. New Mexico State (-3.5, 51.5)
Los Angeles Bowl: Boise State vs. UCLA (-5.5, 47)
Independence Bowl: California vs. Texas Tech (-3.5, 58)
Monday 18 December
Famous Roaster Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Old Dominion (-3.5, 54)
Tuesday 19 December
Frisco Bowl: Marshall vs. UTSA (-12, 52.5)
Thursday 21 December
Boca Raton Bowl: NFL vs Syracuse (-3, 61)
Friday 22 December
Gasparilla Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. UCF (-4.5, 66.5)
Saturday 23 December
Camellia Bowl: Northern Illinois vs. Arkansas State (-1, 53.5)
Birmingham Bowl: Duke vs. Troy (-7.5, 44)
Armed Forces Match: Air Force vs. James Madison (-2.5, 41)
Idaho Potato Bowl: Utah State vs. Georgia State (-1, 62.5)
68 Ventures Bowl: Eastern Michigan vs. South Alabama (-15.5, 47)
Las Vegas Bowl: Northwestern vs. Utah (-6.5, 42)
Hawaii Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. San Jose State (-10, 54)
Tuesday 26 December
Quick Lane Bowl: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota (-5.5, 37.5)
First Responder Bowl: Rice vs. Texas State (-4.5, 60.5)
Guaranteed Pot: UNLV vs. Kansas (-11.5, 63.5)
Wednesday 27 December
Military Bowl: Tulane vs. Virginia Tech (-7.5, 47.5)
Duke Mayonnaise Bowl: North Carolina vs. West Virginia Duke Mayonnaise Bowl (-3.5, 56.5)
Holiday Bowl: USC vs. Louisville (-7.5, 57.5)
Texas Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M (-3.5, 53.5)
Thursday 28 December
Fenway Bowl: Boston College vs. Singapore Sports University (-10.5, 50.5)
Striped Bowl: Rutgers vs. Miami (-3.5, 42.5)
Pop-Tarts Bowl: North Carolina vs. Kansas State (-3.5, 47.5)
Alamo Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Arizona (-3.5, 62.5)
Friday 29 December
Gator Bowl: Kentucky vs. Clemson (-7, 47.5)
Sun Bowl: Oregon State vs. Notre Dame (-10.5, 46.5)
Liberty Bowl: Memphis vs. Iowa State (-6.5, 57.5)
Cotton Bowl: Missouri vs. Ohio State (-2.5, 48.5)
Saturday 30 December
Peach Bowl: Ole Miss vs. Penn State (-4.5, 48.5)
Music City Bowl: Maryland vs. Auburn (-2.5, 49.5)
Orange Bowl: Florida State vs. Georgia (-14, 45.5)
Arizona Bowl: Wyoming vs. Toledo (-1.5, 45.5)
Monday 1 January
ReliaQuest Bowl: Wisconsin vs. LSU (-10.5, 55.5)
Fiesta Bowl: Liberty vs. Oregon (-15.5, 64.5)
Citrus Bowl: Iowa vs. Tennessee (-7, 35.5)
Rose Bowl: Alabama vs. Michigan (-1.5, 46.5)
Sugar Bowl: Washington vs. Texas (-4.5, 63.5)
The excitement for the 2023-24 college football season is already building, and with it comes the anticipation of betting on the games. As fans eagerly await the action on the field, Vegas experts have been analyzing the odds, spread picks, and betting trends for the upcoming season. With valuable insights and predictions, these experts are now revealing their top picks for the season, providing valuable information for bettors looking to make informed decisions. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, this season is sure to bring plenty of thrills for both football enthusiasts and bettors alike.