Best Bets for NCAA Football Bowl Games in 2021

Once seen as more of an afterthought, the NCAA college football bowl game schedule has evolved into one of the most exciting events in American sports. A record 43 college football bowl games will be played this season, more than double the number of NCAA bowl games held in 1997. The 2021 college football bowl schedule culminates with the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Indianapolis on January 10, 2022.

Below, we’ll break down the NCAA bowl schedule, along with some of the best bets for NCAA bowl games.

College Football Bowl Schedule

The college football bowl game schedule begins with the Bahamas Bowl on Dec.17, 2021 and finishes with the College Football National Championship on Jan. 10, 2022. With bowl games nearly every day leading up to the New Year, college football fans have plenty of games to choose from.

For a quick breakdown of some of the notable NCAA bowl games, including the New Year’s Six bowl games, check out the chart below.

College Football National Championship Odds

Whether betting with DraftKings, FanDuel, or one of the best offshore sportsbooks, NCAA football fans can find competitive game lines and odds for every college football game. However, the odds tend to differ a bit more on the futures market.

At the best US online gambling sites, college football fans can find NCAA odds to win the National Championship during the preseason, regular season, or before the College Football Playoffs.

Below, you’ll find National Championship odds from BetUS.

College Football Bowl Projections

For college football fans, bowl season is the gift that keeps on giving during the holiday season. During the NCAA bowl schedule, football bettors can cash in on big upsets and lopsided matchups. The best new betting sites offer competitive game lines and odds for every game, along with game props, player props, futures bets, and more.

Below, we’ll break down our top 10 best bets for NCAA bowl games in 2021, plus make a bold pick for a team to win the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship.

Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl  – Oregon State vs. Utah State 

After enduring a two-game losing streak, Utah State closed the season by winning seven of its final 10 games, including a top-25 win on the road against San Diego State in the final week of the regular season. The Beavers had a chance to play for more but squandered their chance by dropping three of their final five games, including their regular season finale against Oregon. The Aggies are getting a touchdown in this game, but quarterback Logan Bonner should have a chance to put Utah State in position to win and complete its strong finish to the year. Take Utah State to win the inaugural Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl.

New Orleans Bowl – Louisiana vs. Marshall 

Louisiana comes into bowl season riding a program-record 12-game winning streak. The Ragin’ Cajuns enter this game with the possibility of finishing the season with their highest-ever ranking in the Top-25 polls. However, their head coach Billy Napier has already bolted for Florida, tasking new coach Michael Desormeaux with stopping the nation’s 12th-ranked passing offense. Despite being just a freshman, Marshall quarterback Grant Wells has flashed some moxie under center for the Thundering Herd and will have a chance to make a name for himself against another excellent mid-major signal-caller in Levi Lewis. With Marshall set to join the Sun Belt in the future, take the Thundering Herd to come to the spread in the New Orleans Bowl.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl 

Following a turbulent season, Texas Tech has nothing to lose in this game. Quarterback Donovoan Smith is expected to get the start for the Red Raiders in this game. He’s thrown for six touchdowns and two interceptions in four games and will be tasked with keeping up with one of the best passing offenses in the country. The leader of Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense, Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers leads the country with a 75.1 percent completion rate this season. He also ranks first in the nation with 4,449 passing yards with 35 touchdowns and only eight interceptions this season. Despite those marks, there should be some value on Texas Tech, which has dropped four of its last five games. Take Texas Tech to escape with a Liberty Bowl win against a tough Mississippi State team.

Arizona Bowl

Since joining the WAC, the Broncos have never finished a full season with fewer than eight wins. As good as Boise State has been since 2001, don’t write off the Chippewas in this game. Central Michigan overcame a 2-3 start by winning six of its next seven games. Central Michigan has a bevy of playmakers on offense, perhaps none more dangerous than running back Lew Nichols III, who has rushed for 1,710 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. With a few extra weeks to scheme for Broncos’ receiver Khalil Shakir, I’ll take my chances with the Chippewas in this game. Take Central Michigan to stun Boise State and win the Arizona Bowl.

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III will be entering the NFL Draft and forgoing this bowl game. Pittsburgh will also be without its best player in this game, as senior quarterback Kenny Pickett is also choosing to sit this one out. That will leave all eyes on MSU quarterback Payton Thorne, who threw for 2,886 yards with 24 touchdowns and 15 interceptions this season. Pittsburgh’s backup quarterbacks attempts a combined 18 passes this season, which doesn’t bode well for the Panthers’ chances against a hard-nosed Spartans’ defense. Take the Michigan State Spartans to cover the spread in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

Cincinnati made history by earning a bid to the College Football Playoffs. Group of Five teams have gotten snubbed from marquee games in the past but the Bearcats have a chance to change that with a solid performance. While most college football fans will be expecting the Bearcars to get romped by Alabama, don’t write off Desmond Ridder and company in this game. Cincinnati has plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, including Thorpe Award winner Coby Bryant, who could be the key to slowing down Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young. The Crimson Tide also lost receiver John Metchie III in the SEC Championship Game, so there could be some hidden value on the Bearcats in this spot. Take Cincinnati to cover the spread in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

Capital One Orange Bowl

Georgia owns the nation’s top-ranked scoring defense but it will be tasked with bouncing back from its first loss of the season. Ranked No. 1 for most of the year, the Bulldogs will be up against an equally-talented defensive team. Michigan plays one of the most physical styles of football in the country and the Wolverines are fresh off of a pair of impressive wins against No. 13-Iowa and No. 2-Ohio State. While the combination of Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum will be tough to spot, look for Cade McNamara to have a big game against a Bulldogs’ defense that will need to load up to stop the run. While the Wolverines could certainly pull off the upset in this spot, there is simply too much value with taking the points in this spot. Take Michigan to cover the spread in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Playstation Fiesta Bowl

Notre Dame is another team that will have a new head coach for its bowl game. Marcus Freeman takes over as head coach for the Fighting Irish, who will also be without a couple of its stars in this game. Meanwhile, Spencer Sanders and the Oklahoma State offense finished the regular season with one of their worst performances of the year. Sanders tossed four interceptions and now has six picks over his last two games. Capable of putting the team on his shoulders, the junior quarterback will need to make better decisions in this game. Take Oklahoma State to win the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl over Notre Dame on New Year’s Day.

Rose Bowl Game

The main storyline in this game will be whether the Buckeyes’ offensive line will be able to withstand constant pressure from the Utes’ front-seven. Michigan was able to get home on Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud in the regular season finale, providing a blueprint for the Utes to stop the Buckeyes’ high-octane offense. Luckily for Utah, its defense ranks fifth in the nation in sacks and second in disrupted dropbacks, which bodes well for its chances in this game. The Utes also have a dynamic offensive weapon in Britain Covey, who will be tough to gameplain for ahead of this matchup. Take the Utah Utes to cover the spread versus Ohio State in the 108th Rose Bowl Game.

Allstate Sugar Bowl

This game features a matchup between the No. 7 and No. 8 teams in the country. Baylor closed the regular season with four straight wins, including a dominant defensive performance in its Big 12 Championship Game win over Oklahoma. Meanwhile, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin has turned around the Rebels program in just two seasons, leading Ole Miss to double-digit wins in 2021-2022. Meanwhile, quarterback Matt Corrall has a chance to bolster his stock in the NFL Draft. Widely regarded as a first-round pick and the No. 2 quarterback prospect in the draft, Corral was the only FBS player to pass for more than 3,000 yards and rush for more than 500 yards this season. Ole Miss has also won four straight contests, so something’s got to give here. Look for the Rebels  to come out on top over Baylor in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.

College Football National Championship

While Alabama and Georgia will likely be the most popular picks amongst college football fans, there could be some value with taking one of the underdogs in the College Football Playoff semifinals to win it all. Even if Cincinnati somehow finds a way to get by Alabama, it’s hard to see the Bearcats winning back-to-back games against blue blood Power Five opponents. That leaves Michigan, a team that comes into the CFP playing its best football of the season. With an excellent 1-2 punch in the backfield and a stout defense, Michigan has what it takes to shock the world and run away with the National Championship. If you’re looking for some extra value, take the Wolverines to the CFP National Championship.

The Best Bets for 2021 NCAA Bowl Games

Want a quick breakdown of our NCAA football predictions for the college football bowl game schedule?

In the chart below, you’ll find our list of the best bets for 2021 college football bowl games, along with odds from BetUS for every selection.

Note: All odds and point spreads were taken from BetUS on Dec. 17, 2021

Betting Picks for NCAA Bowl Games

Want to get free bets from the best online sportsbooks?

Take the Michigan Wolverines to cover the spread at BetUS. 

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