2023 College Bowl Betting Odds

Betting on college football bowl games can be tough. Between players opting out and general motivation questions, there are plenty of questions surrounding most games.

But we have a complete guide for those looking to add some action to the games that warm our hearts during the Holiday season.

Best Online Sportsbooks to Bet College Bowl Games

Latest odds on 2023 college bowl games

College bowl season attracts lots of betting interest, so it’s an active time for sportsbooks. The odds and lines for the games often move as a result. Staying on top of the movements is a key part of the handicapping process, and our live Michigan odds feed makes that a non-issue.

Select “Bowls” in the dropdown menu below to see the full list of current bowl odds.

2022-23 college football bowl game schedule

The bowl game schedule is once again jam-packed. From the end of December through early January, we have more than 40 postseason contests to look forward to.

Date	Bowl	Location	Matchup	Time/TV
Friday, Dec. 16	Hometown Lenders Bahamas Bowl	Nassau, Bahamas	Miami (Ohio) vs. UAB	11:30 a.m., ESPN
Friday, Dec. 16	Duluth Trading Cure Bowl	Orlando, Fla.	UTSA vs. Troy	3 p.m., ESPN
Saturday, Dec. 17	Wasabi Fenway Bowl	Boston, Mass.	Cincinnati vs. Louisville	11 a.m., ESPN
Saturday, Dec. 17	Cricket Celebration Bowl	Atlanta, Ga.	Jackson State vs. North Carolina Central	Noon, ABC
Saturday, Dec. 17	New Mexico Bowl	Albuquerque, NM	SMU vs. BYU	2:15 p.m., ESPN
Saturday, Dec. 17	Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl	Inglewood, Calif.	Washington State vs. Fresno State	3:30 p.m., ABC
Saturday, Dec. 17	LendingTree Bowl	Mobile, Ala.	Rice vs. Southern Miss	5:45 p.m., ESPN
Saturday, Dec. 17	SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl	Las Vegas, Nev.	Florida vs. Oregon State	7:30 p.m., ABC
Saturday, Dec. 17	Frisco Bowl	Frisco, Texas	North Texas vs. Boise State	9:15 p.m., ESPN
Monday, Dec. 19	Myrtle Beach Bowl	Conway, SC	Marshall vs. UConn	2:30 p.m., ESPN
Tuesday, Dec. 20	Famous Idaho Potato Bowl	Boise, Idaho	Eastern Michigan vs. San Jose State	3:30 p.m., ESPN
Tuesday, Dec. 20	RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl	Boca Raton, Fla.	Liberty vs. Toledo	7:30 p.m., ESPN
Wednesday, Dec. 21	R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl	New Orleans, La.	Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama	9 p.m., ESPN
Thursday, Dec. 22	Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl	Fort Worth, Texas	Baylor vs. Air Force	7:30 p.m., ESPN
Friday, Dec. 23	Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl	Shreveport, La.	Louisiana vs. Houston	3 p.m., ESPN
Friday, Dec. 23	Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl	Tampa, Fla.	Wake Forest vs. Missouri	6:30 p.m., ESPN
Saturday, Dec. 24	EasyPost Hawaii Bowl	Honolulu, Haw.	Middle Tennessee State vs. San Diego State	8 p.m., ESPN
Monday, Dec. 26	Quick Lane Bowl	Detroit, Mich.	New Mexico State vs. Bowling Green	2:30 p.m., ESPN
Tuesday, Dec. 27	Camellia Bowl	Montgomery, Ala.	Georgia Southern vs. Buffalo	Noon, ESPN
Tuesday, Dec. 27	SERVPRO First Responder Bowl	Dallas, Texas	Memphis vs. Utah State	3:15 p.m., ESPN
Tuesday, Dec. 27	TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl	Birmingham, Ala.	Coastal Carolina vs. East Carolina	6:45 p.m., ESPN
Tuesday, Dec. 27	Guaranteed Rate Bowl	Phoenix, Az.	Wisconsin vs. Oklahoma State	10:15 p.m., ESPN
Wednesday, Dec. 28	Military Bowl	Annapolis, Md.	UCF vs. Duke	2 p.m., ESPN
Wednesday, Dec. 28	AutoZone Liberty Bowl	Memphis, Tenn.	Kansas vs. Arkansas	5:30 p.m., ESPN
Wednesday, Dec. 28	San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl	San Diego, Calif.	Oregon vs. North Carolina	8 p.m., FOX
Wednesday, Dec. 28	TaxAct Texas Bowl	Houston, Texas	Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss	9 p.m., ESPN
Thursday, Dec. 29	Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl	New York, NY	Syracuse vs. Minnesota	2 p.m., ESPN
Thursday, Dec. 29	Cheez-It Bowl	Orlando, Fla.	Oklahoma vs. Florida State	5:30 p.m., ESPN
Thursday, Dec. 29	Valero Alamo Bowl	San Antonio, Texas	Texas vs. Washington	9 p.m., ESPN
Friday, Dec. 30	Duke's Mayo Bowl	Charlotte, NC	Maryland vs. NC State	Noon, ESPN
Friday, Dec. 30	Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl	El Paso, Texas	Pittsburgh vs. UCLA	2 p.m., CBS
Friday, Dec. 30	TaxSlayer Gator Bowl	Jacksonville, Fla.	Notre Dame vs. South Carolina	3:30 p.m., ESPN
Friday, Dec. 30	Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl	Tucson, Az.	Ohio vs. Wyoming	4:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 30	Capital One Orange Bowl	Miami Gardens, Fla.	Tennessee vs. Clemson	8 p.m., ESPN
Saturday, Dec. 31	TransPerfect Music City Bowl	Nashville, Tenn.	Iowa vs. Kentucky	Noon, ABC
Saturday, Dec. 31	Allstate Sugar Bowl	New Orleans, La.	Alabama vs. Kansas State	Noon, ESPN
Saturday, Dec. 31	CFP Semifinal (Fiesta Bowl)	Glendale, Az.	Michigan vs. TCU	4 p.m., ESPN
Saturday, Dec. 31	CFP Semifinal (Peach Bowl)	Atlanta, Ga.	Georgia vs. Ohio State	8 p.m., ESPN
Monday, Jan. 2	ReliaQuest Bowl	Tampa, Fla.	Mississippi State vs. Illinois	Noon, ESPN2
Monday, Jan. 2	Citrus Bowl	Orlando, Fla.	LSU vs. Purdue	1 p.m., ABC
Monday, Jan. 2	Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic	Arlington, Texas	USC vs. Tulane	1 p.m., ESPN
Monday, Jan. 2	Rose Bowl	Pasadena, Calif.	Utah vs. Penn State	5 p.m., ESPN

Can I bet on college sports in Michigan?

Yes. As sports betting has been legalized in Michigan, there have been questions about the legality of wagering on college sports. For example, in New Jersey, while a green light has been given to wagering on NCAA events, bettors are prohibited from placing wagers on games involving NJ teams.

Here in Michigan, it’s not an issue. Sports betting legislation was passed in 2019, and the official rollout took place the following year in person. Online gambling began in 2021.

Betting on college sports is allowed, including on schools located in the state. That’s great news for fans of Michigan and Michigan State, as well as all of the other programs that make their home here.

College bowl betting lines & odds explained

After college football bowl game matchups are announced, sportsbooks will release the betting lines for each contest to the public. Bettors quickly begin to weigh in, and action will stay strong right up until kickoff.

There are several different ways to bet on the games — each of which we’ll touch on in a bit — but the default listing for the game centers on the three bet types which attract the most wagers. Here’s what a random line might look like at an online betting site, such as PointsBet Sportsbook Michigan:

Team	Spread	Moneyline	Total
Oregon	+3.5 (-110)	+150	O 52.5 (-110)
Michigan	-3.5 (-110)	-130	U 52.5 (-110)

For this fictitious matchup between the Ducks and Wolverines, the game listing shows the team names and a series of numbers next to each of them. From left to right, these numbers represent the following: point spread, moneyline and total odds.

A glance at the line tells us that Michigan is a 3.5-point and the overall favorite, and that the game projects to have a decent amount of scoring — the bar is set at 52.5 points.

After the public begins weighing in, it’s not uncommon to see some movement in bowl game odds and lines. For example, a rush of point spread bets on Oregon plus the 3.5 points could lead the spread to be adjusted by a half-point or more. The odds attached to that bet could also shift based on the action.

The same concept applies to the moneyline and total. If we use the former as an example, a good amount of action on the Oregon side could lead the moneyline odds to be adjusted to something like this.

• Oregon +130
• Michigan -110

Oddsmakers have responded to the public’s assessment of the game by adjusting the odds. The Ducks’ side of the equation has been made less attractive, while the odds for Michigan have improved in terms of the potential return for successful bets.

What’s happening is a bid to even out the action a bit more to the sportsbooks’ liking. If they wind up too lopsided on a game, that opens up a greater liability on their end. Since the operators are for-profit entities, steps are taken to avoid these actions.

The movement in the college bowl odds and lines can tell you a lot about the public sentiment on a game, so it certainly bears watching. Also, keep in mind that the numbers aren’t necessarily the same at each sportsbook. As part of your handicapping process, take the time to check out the offerings at multiple operators to find the best prices on the games.

Most popular college bowl bets

For each game on the docket, you’ll have different options to consider. The main bet types will see tons of action, and clicking on the “more wagers” option in an app’s individual game listings will open up even more possibilities.

Here’s a rundown of the most popular bet types, starting with the big three.

Moneyline

The moneyline bet is perhaps the most straightforward wager you’ll come across. All you need to do is pick the winner out of the favorite and underdog, which are represented by negative and positive odds, respectively.

• USC                            +125
• Michigan State        -115

Point spread

For a spread wager, oddsmakers install several points that need to be accounted for. You can choose the favorite minus the points, or the underdog plus the number. Whichever side you pick has to cover the spread for a winning bet.

• Appalachian State      +2.5 (-110)
• Western Michigan       -2.5 (-110)

Point Totals

This wager is based on the total combined points scored in the contest by the two teams. Sportsbooks set a benchmark number upon the initial release of lines, and bettors then get to decide where they think the total will fall.

• Over                54.5 (-110)
• Under              54.5 (-110)

As mentioned, there are lots more bets to consider. Here are three other types of wagers that generate lots of action at the betting window.

Parlays

A parlay is a wager in which you include two or more outcomes on a single betting slip. The rewards can be high, but the risk also rises with each selection added. For example, you could place a parlay bet on three moneyline picks.

• Eastern Michigan         +170
• Wisconsin                      -122
• Georgia                           -194
• Total parlay odds of    +645

Same-game parlays are also becoming popular staples on more well-known Michigan sportsboook apps, but often with payouts somewhat reduced in comparison with traditional, multi-game parlays.

Prop bets

Props are often found under the “more wagers” link in the individual game listings. These are side bets on things that might happen during the game or benchmarks reached at its conclusion. Here are some examples of what you might come across.

• Which side will have more passing yards: Central Michigan or Louisville?
• Will there be a defensive or special teams TD in the game? Yes/No
• Total Ohio State rushing yards in the game: Over/Under 194.5

How do college football teams qualify for bowl games?

An invite to a bowl game is a reward for a job well done. As such, teams have to hit a certain mark to gain eligibility. For a standard NCAAF season in which teams play a 12-game schedule, they must at least have as many wins as losses.

Thus, six wins is the magic number. A record of 6-6 normally gets it done. Also, teams just can’t rack up wins against lower levels of competition and call it day. In general, just one win over an FCS school counts towards bowl eligibility.

Beyond the bowls, there’s also the matter of the College Football Playoff, which involves the four best teams in the nation as judged by the CFP selection committee. The semifinal matchups take place at two of the marquee bowl games, while the final is a standalone contest.

Polls are a big part of NCAA football, from the preseason throughout the regular season, and it’s the same story for the playoffs. At about the midway point of the regular season, the CFP poll starts getting released weekly.

When the final poll comes out after conference championship games, the top four squads qualify for the CFP. This poll also has a bearing on the teams that wind up playing in the New Year’s Six Bowls, which are the biggest of the bunch on the postseason menu.

What are the best college football bowl game matchups?

Although each bowl game on the docket is special in its own right, some just carry more cache than the others. That’s especially true these days, as two of the biggest bowls also serve double duty as CFP games.

The most highly-anticipated bowl games are known as the New Year’s Six. Each has a special legacy that has spanned decades. Let’s take a quick look.

Sugar Bowl

The Sugar Bowl is held annually at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. The game traces its roots back to 1935, which makes it one of the oldest bowl games still going strong today. In the last edition, Ohio State took down Clemson by a score of 49-28 in a College Football Playoff semifinal game.

Last appearance by local team: 2012 — Michigan 23, Virginia Tech 20

Fiesta Bowl

The Fiesta Bowl first came our way in 1971 and currently makes its home at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, taking over for Sun Devil Stadium in 2006. The last edition saw Iowa State take down Oregon 34-17.

Last appearance by local team: 1986 — Michigan 27, Nebraska 23

Orange Bowl

The Orange Bowl is also one of the oldest traditions on the menu, with the inaugural game taking place back in 1935. The current venue is Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Last season, Texas A&M defeated North Carolina by a score of 41-27.

Last appearance by local team: 2021 — Michigan vs. Georgia (College Football Playoff)

Peach Bowl

The Peach Bowl has been held annually in Atlanta since 1968. Mercedes-Benz Stadium serves as the current venue, taking over for the Georgia Dome in 2016. At the last one, Georgia beat Cincinnati 24-21.

Last appearance by local team: 2021 — Michigan State vs. Pittsburgh (New Year’s Six)

Rose Bowl

Known as ‘The Granddaddy of Them All,’ the Rose Bowl has been held annually since 1916. The appropriately named Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, generally serves as the location. Last time out, Alabama defeated Notre Dame 31-14 in a College Football Playoff semifinal game that was moved to Arlington, Texas, because of protocols related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Last appearance by local team: 2014 — Michigan State 24, Stanford 20

Cotton Bowl

Held annually at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Cotton Bowl has a history that spans back to 1937. The Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas was the previous home until 2009. Oklahoma beat Florida 55-20 in the last contest.

Last appearance by local team: 2017 — Wisconsin 24, Western Michigan 16

College football bowl game betting strategy

You can apply many of the same tenets you would use for handicapping the NCAAF regular season to bowl games. You want to examine the matchup in full detail, as well as performance against any common opponents during the season.

Also, there are a few specific things you’ll want to keep a close eye on as you break down the bowl games.

• Carefully study line moves: This is a key point you should be hitting anyway, but it’s particularly notable in bowl games. From the time the initial lines are released until kickoff, it could be a couple of weeks. The lines can move dramatically over that time frame, so be sure to at least see where they opened, compared with the current numbers.
• Monitor player news: This is another part of the normal checklist that becomes even more important come bowl season. It’s not uncommon for players to bow out of bowl games to avoid injuries that could affect their NFL Draft stock. When it’s a key contributor, the gameplan and overall performance can be altered, so keep an eye out.
• Gauge overall team motivation: For these games, you need to have a good handle on how the program entered the season. Is the bowl game they’ve been invited to a significant accomplishment, or a letdown compared with where they wanted to be? This little tidbit can prove to be quite valuable, as some teams will simply be more up for the game at hand than others.

Biggest bowl game rivalries for Michigan teams

The two biggest programs here at home, Michigan and Michigan State, have quite the storied records for bowl season. The Wolverines check in with a mark of 21-27 in 48 postseason games, while it’s 13-16 for the Spartans through 29 bowls.

The two programs have had some memorable games over the years, but some have naturally stood out more than others. They’ve also both faced off with other major programs at times. Let’s take a look.

Michigan Wolverines bowl game rivals

Alabama

• 4 Bowls: 2-2
• Last: 2020 Citrus Bowl — Alabama 35, Michigan 16

Florida

• 4 Bowls: 3-1
• Last: 2018 Peach Bowl — Florida 41, Michigan 15

USC

• 8 Bowls: 2-6
• Last: 2007 Rose Bowl — USC 32, Michigan 18

Michigan State Spartans bowl game rivals

Alabama

• 2 Bowls: 0-2
• Last: 2015 Cotton Bowl — Alabama 38, Michigan State 0

Georgia

• 3 Bowls: 1-2
• Last: 2012 Outback Bowl — Michigan State 33, Georgia 30

UCLA

• 3 Bowls: 2-1
• Last: 1966 Rose Bowl — UCLA 14, Michigan State 12

History of college football in Michigan

The roots of college football in the state of Michigan go back to the late 1800s. Although the two marquee programs capture much of the attention, there’s a trio of smaller schools that have quite the following as well. Here are some of the key details on each.

Michigan Wolverines

• Established: 1879
• Stadium: Michigan Stadium
• Location: Ann Arbor
• Record: 964-350-36
• Bowl game record: 21-27
• National titles: 11 – last in 1997
• Conference titles: 43 – last in 2021

Michigan State Spartans

• Established: 1896
• Stadium: Spartan Stadium
• Location: East Lansing
• Record: 710-470-44
• Bowl game record: 13-16
• National titles: Six – last in 1966
• Conference titles: 11 – last in 2015

Eastern Michigan Eagles

• Established: 1891
• Stadium: Rynearson Stadium
• Location: Ypsilanti
• Record: 433-534-47
• Bowl game record: 1-3
• Conference Titles: 10 – last in 1987

Central Michigan Chippewas

• Established: 1896
• Stadium: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
• Location: Mount Pleasant
• Record: 630-431-36
• Bowl game record: 3-9
• Conference titles: 16 – last in 2009

Western Michigan Broncos

• Established: 1906
• Stadium: Waldo Stadium
• Location: Kalamazoo
• Record: 576-458-24
• Bowl game record: 1-9
• Conference titles: Four – last in 2016

AP Photo/Jae C. Hong