CFB Bowl Week 12/16 - 12/18 - Top 5 Game Bets

Welcome back to “David’s Top 5” Game Bets series!

Each week I'll be bringing you my absolute favorite bets (in order) for the upcoming weekend. 

We’ll be sticking solely to game lines and Over/Unders.

 

The odds expressed in this article come from DraftKings Sportsbook.  Please be aware that lines may vary.  If you are unaware of where to bet please utilize our easy to use site to find other sportsbooks in your state.

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Previously on "David's Top 5"

Championship Week Record: 1-4 / Overall: 31-34-1 (47%)

Listen, championship week was a bust, I’m not even going to recap it.  However, please know that I am still in physical pain at not getting that TCU/K St over on the inch line.  But I digress…

IT’S BOWL SEASON!

That wonderful time of year where handicappers and fans alike have absolutely NO clue if their team is motivated to play.  In 2022, its even harder because of the transfer portals and the immense number of player opt-outs or coaching changes.  But we will trudge on!

I’m going to give you guys my Top 5 like I normally would based on a myriad of factors and pray as the ball is kicked off.  I will try and get articles to you all as much as possible but with games going on every day starting Friday, we will miss out on some.  Look to see posts on random days with a game or two I like in the coming weeks.

Advice - I usually lean towards live betting during the early part of bowl season because you can tell who really wants to be there within the first few possessions.

 

Bowl Season: 12/16 – 12/18

5. Bahamas Bowl – Miami Ohio (+10.5 -110) vs. UAB – Friday Dec. 16th – 11:30 AM

UAB has a brand new coach and his name is Trent Dilfer.

Yes, the same Trent Dilfer who led the 2000 Ravens to a Super Bowl title while I was in high school.  He won’t be coaching in this game but I’m looking forward to what he will bring to what is always a fun team in the Blazers.

This bet is simple for me.  Miami (OH) lives and breathes one score games.  They also won their final two games to get bowl eligible and are playing with some confidence.  10.5 points is just entirely too much for a team who is looking towards their new regime.

I believe the MAC will be competitive all bowl season and it starts with the RedHawks. 

 

4. Frisco Bowl – North Texas vs. Boise St (-10 -115) – Saturday Dec. 17th – 9:15 PM

We have our first visit from a Mountain West school in the Top 5 this week.

Boise St had a very strong season ultimately losing to Fresno in the conference title game.  North Texas meanwhile lost to every team they played with a pulse.  They’ve proven they can score points but are also one of the worst defenses you’ll see playing December. 

Before the loss to the Bulldogs, Boise had rattled off seven wins in their final eight games.  Most of which were dominating performances. 

I normally pounce on a double-digit dog in bowl season (See – Miami OH above), but I just feel like the talent level discrepancy is so great in this matchup that I’m willing to lay the points.

 

3. Fenway Bowl – Cincinnati vs. Louisville (-1 -110) – Saturday Dec. 17th – 11 AM

40 degrees with a chance of snow in an iconic baseball stadium is exactly what I think of when I envision “Bowl Season”.

My God is this game going to suck.

Both teams will have new coaching staff’s next season.  The difference is, Louisville seems thrilled with their change at the top and Cincy is devasted.  FORMER Bearcat coach Luke Fickell, one of the country’s best, is moving onto Wisconsin next season. 

My brain tells me there is little to no chance they’ll be up for this game as the players have got to be gutted.  Especially with a backup QB who has played essentially one game this year, and not well.  On the other side, Louisville’s star QB Malik Cunningham predictably opted out of the game.  The difference is, new QB Brock Domann has played a ton this year while Cunningham was hurt and won some games.

Give me the Cardinals in a gross football game, just like the baseball team provided their fans in that stadium this past season.

 

1. + 2. LA Bowl – Washington St vs. Fresno St (-3.5 -110) AND (OVER 53 -110) – Saturday Dec. 17th – 3:30 PM

Fresno St is on fire entering bowl season.  And no, I’m not just saying that because they’re the only team to cover for us in Championship Week.

This should be the game of the weekend in my opinion and I’m taking both Fresno AND the over.

Both QBs are very good starting with Bulldog QB Jake Haener.  He has been put back together with duct tape all season, is finally healthy, and playing great football after leading Fresno to a Mountain West title.  Washington St QB Cameron Ward was very good as well this year in a tough conference totaling over 3,000 yds and 23 TDs. 

This will be one of the better offenses Fresno has faced this year and I definitely see points put up on the “fast track” inside SoFi Stadium.  I just see the Bulldogs having 4 more points than the Cougars when the clock hits zeroes.

 

Good Luck!

 

Written by David Costabile

Follow me on Twitter!: @davecostabile