ReliaQuest: Alabama (-14) over Michigan
After being left out of the playoff, the Crimson Tide have a surprising number of starters suiting up, including quarterback Jalen Milroe. Alabama can’t get payback after losing to the Wolverines in last season’s playoff semifinal, but it can serve one final humiliation to the defending champs, who sport the nation’s 100th-ranked offense. Alabama won by 25 in a non-playoff bowl game two years ago.
While the Ducks remained the nation’s only unbeaten team, the Buckeyes stumbled at home to a mediocre Michigan team. In any season prior to this one, Ohio State would be scheduled for a meaningless bowl.
Citrus: South Carolina (-10) over Illinois
The Illini won nine games for the first time in 17 years, but suffered double-digit losses in their only meetings with ranked teams. The Gamecocks arrive on a six-game winning streak, with rising star quarterback LaNorris Sellers set to put on a show after running for a combined 272 yards and three touchdowns in wins over Clemson and Texas A&M.
First Responder: Texas State (-13.5) over North Texas
The nation’s fourth-best passing offense is turning to a freshman quarterback with five career pass attempts. Don’t expect this version of the Mean Green to keep up with a Bobcats offense averaging 49 points in their past three games.
The team with the best record in the NFL has won one of the past six Super Bowls. The team with the best record in the NBA has won one of the past seven championships. The team with the best record in MLB has won one of the past four World Series. The team with the best record in MLS has won one of the past seven titles. The NHL’s Presidents’ Trophy winner hasn’t won the Stanley Cup in more than 11 years.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Howie Kussoy has long been the New York Post’s main handicapper in college basketball (since 2011) and college football (since 2013).
In October, Ohio State was in a position to leave Eugene with a last-second win before star freshman Jeremiah Smith was controversially called for offensive pass interference.
Bahamas: Buffalo (-2.5) over Liberty
The nation’s third-ranked ground game will be unrecognizable without starting quarterback Kaidon Salter, leading rusher Quinton Cooley and multiple offensive linemen.
Sugar: Georgia (-1.5) over Notre Dame
The Bulldogs will be without starting quarterback Carson Beck, but Gunner Stockton will have had more than three weeks to prepare, unlike when he was inserted into the SEC title game and led Georgia to victory. The Irish will struggle to make the backup uncomfortable without injured star defensive lineman Rylie Mills. A coin-flip game tilts in Georgia’s favor with a head coach with two national titles in Kirby Smart and the experience of playing the toughest schedule in the nation.
Sun Bowl Washington (+1.5) over Louisville
The Cardinals were the pick before quarterback Tyler Shough and star receiver Ja’Corey Brooks began preparing for the NFL draft. The Huskies are hard to trust after going winless away from home, but three of their five road losses came against playoff teams.
PICK: Ohio State -2.5 (-110, ESPN BET)
A quarterfinal win in the Rose Bowl won’t prove that Ohio State (-2.5) is the better team. But that has never been what playoffs are about.
Texas: Baylor (-4) over LSU
Dave Aranda — facing his former team — has one of the hottest teams in the nation, earning another year on the job after winning the past six games by an average of nearly 15 points. Opt-outs and the transfer portal put Brian Kelly in line for his first bowl loss with the Tigers.
Duke’s Mayo: Virginia Tech (+7.5) over Minnesota
P.J. Fleck hasn’t lost a bowl game in five trips with the Gophers, but their past four bowl wins have been decided by an average of fewer than nine points. This season, six of their past eight games were decided by single digits. The Hokies haven’t lost a game by more than 10 points this season.