2023 Independence Bowl Betting Odds, Predictions, Preview
The Independence Bowl concluded on Saturday, December 16, 2023 from Shreveport, Louisiana and bettors watched Texas Tech throttle California 34-14 as 3.5-point favorites.
Recap all the 2023 Independence Bowl Betting Odds, Picks, Predictions and History below and be sure to check back for the 2024 installment.
Independence Bowl Betting Odds
CAL @ TTU Odds
| Time | Open | BetMGM | DraftKings | Caesars | FanDuel | RiversCasino | HardRock | Consensus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final | Open |  › |  › |  › |  › |  › |  › |  | |
 211 California | -1.5 -105 | +3.5 -110 | +3.5 -112 | +3.5 -120 | +3.5 -115 | +3.5 -109 | +3.5 -120 | +3.5 -115 | |
 212 Texas Tech | +1.5 -115 | -3.5 -110 | -3.5 -108 | -3.5 even | -3.5 -105 | -3.5 -112 | -3.5 -105 | -3.5 -105 | |
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | o58.5 -110 | o54.5 -110 | o55 -110 | o55 -110 | o54.5 -110 | o55.5 -110 | o56.5 -110 | o54.5 -110 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | u58.5 -110 | u54.5 -110 | u55 -110 | u55 -110 | u54.5 -110 | u55.5 -113 | u56.5 -110 | u54.5 -110 | |
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | -111 | +145 | +150 | +140 | +136 | +140 | +125 | +136 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | -108 | -175 | -180 | -165 | -164 | -180 | -165 | -164 | |
| Time | Open | BetMGM | DraftKings | Caesars | FanDuel | RiversCasino | HardRock | Consensus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | -1.5 -105 | +1.5 -110 | +2.5 -110 | +2 -105 | +2.5 -110 | +1.5 -114 | +1.5 -115 | +3.5 -115 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | +1.5 -115 | -1.5 -110 | -2.5 -110 | -2 -115 | -2.5 -110 | -1.5 -114 | -1.5 -110 | -3.5 -105 | |
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | o58.5 -110 | N/A | o26.5 -118 | o27.5 even | o27.5 +110 | o27.5 -125 | o28.5 -115 | o54.5 -110 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | u58.5 -110 | N/A | u26.5 -102 | u27.5 -120 | u27.5 -134 | u27.5 -104 | u28.5 -115 | u54.5 -110 | |
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | -111 | +120 | +120 | +130 | +118 | +115 | N/A | +136 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | -108 | -145 | -142 | -155 | -144 | -150 | N/A | -164 | |
| Time | Open | BetMGM | DraftKings | Caesars | FanDuel | RiversCasino | HardRock | Consensus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | -1.5 -105 | N/A | N/A | +0.5 -115 | N/A | N/A | +0.5 -115 | +3.5 -115 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | +1.5 -115 | N/A | N/A | -0.5 -105 | N/A | N/A | -0.5 -115 | -3.5 -105 | |
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | o58.5 -110 | N/A | N/A | o26.5 -120 | N/A | N/A | o27.5 -115 | o54.5 -110 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | u58.5 -110 | N/A | N/A | u26.5 even | N/A | N/A | u27.5 -110 | u54.5 -110 | |
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | -111 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | +136 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | -108 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | -164 | |
| Time | Open | BetMGM | DraftKings | Caesars | FanDuel | RiversCasino | HardRock | Consensus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | -1.5 -105 | +0.5 -135 | +0.5 -125 | +0.5 -120 | +1.5 -142 | +1.5 -139 | +0.5 -130 | +3.5 -115 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | +1.5 -115 | -0.5 +105 | -0.5 +105 | -0.5 -110 | -1.5 +112 | -1.5 -106 | -0.5 even | -3.5 -105 | |
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | o58.5 -110 | N/A | o13.5 -102 | o13 even | o10.5 -108 | o13.5 -103 | o10.5 -115 | o54.5 -110 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | u58.5 -110 | N/A | u13.5 -118 | u13 -130 | u10.5 -118 | u13.5 -130 | u10.5 -115 | u54.5 -110 | |
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | -111 | +105 | +114 | +120 | +112 | +106 | N/A | +136 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | -108 | -140 | -135 | -150 | -146 | -137 | N/A | -164 | |
| Time | Open | BetMGM | DraftKings | Caesars | FanDuel | RiversCasino | HardRock | Consensus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | -1.5 -105 | N/A | +17.5 -130 | N/A | +1.5 -136 | N/A | +0.5 -140 | +3.5 -115 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | +1.5 -115 | N/A | -17.5 even | N/A | -1.5 +112 | N/A | -0.5 +110 | -3.5 -105 | |
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | o58.5 -110 | N/A | o21.5 +135 | N/A | o16.5 -122 | N/A | o16.5 -110 | o54.5 -110 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | u58.5 -110 | N/A | u21.5 -175 | N/A | u16.5 -100 | N/A | u16.5 -115 | u54.5 -110 | |
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | -111 | N/A | N/A | N/A | +110 | N/A | N/A | +136 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | -108 | N/A | N/A | N/A | -128 | N/A | N/A | -164 | |
| Time | Open | BetMGM | DraftKings | Caesars | FanDuel | RiversCasino | HardRock | Consensus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | -1.5 -105 | N/A | N/A | N/A | +1.5 -166 | N/A | +0.5 -140 | +3.5 -115 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | +1.5 -115 | N/A | N/A | N/A | -1.5 +136 | N/A | -0.5 +110 | -3.5 -105 | |
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | o58.5 -110 | N/A | N/A | N/A | o13.5 -110 | N/A | o13.5 -105 | o54.5 -110 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | u58.5 -110 | N/A | N/A | N/A | u13.5 -110 | N/A | u13.5 -120 | u54.5 -110 | |
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | -111 | N/A | N/A | N/A | +108 | N/A | N/A | +136 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | -108 | N/A | N/A | N/A | -126 | N/A | N/A | -164 | |
| Time | Open | BetMGM | DraftKings | Caesars | FanDuel | RiversCasino | HardRock | Consensus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | -1.5 -105 | N/A | N/A | N/A | +1.5 -148 | N/A | +0.5 -145 | +3.5 -115 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | +1.5 -115 | N/A | N/A | N/A | -1.5 +122 | N/A | -0.5 +115 | -3.5 -105 | |
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | o58.5 -110 | N/A | N/A | N/A | o14.5 +106 | N/A | o14.5 +110 | o54.5 -110 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | u58.5 -110 | N/A | N/A | N/A | u14.5 -128 | N/A | u14.5 -140 | u54.5 -110 | |
| Final | Open | › | › | › | › | › | › | | |
| 211 California | -111 | N/A | N/A | N/A | +106 | N/A | N/A | +136 | |
| 212 Texas Tech | -108 | N/A | N/A | N/A | -124 | N/A | N/A | -164 | |
- Opening point spread: Texas Tech -3
- Opening moneyline: Texas Tech -160/California +135
- Opening total: Over/Under 58.5 points scored
- Time: 9:15 p.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 16 (ESPN)
UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY, DEC. 16: Of today's six games to kick off the college football bowl odds market, this Independence Bowl matchup is the most intriguing at TwinSpires Sportsbook.
Texas Tech (6-6 SU/5-7 ATS) opened -2.5 and spent time at -3 on the way to -3.5. Spread ticket count is 3/1 and spread money almost 5/1 on the Red Raiders.
"Our biggest NCAAF liability today is on Tech. We're massive Cal fans," TwinSpires director of retail sports Zachary Lucas said.
Cal went 6-6 SU and ATS in the regular season.
The total opened at 58.5 and was at 58 late last night. It's down another 1.5 points today, though 63% of tickets/54% of dollars are on the Over.
UPDATE 2:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY, DEC. 15: This line toggled between Texas Tech -3 and -2.5, at various juice, a couple of times over the past 11 days. Late this morning, the Red Raiders climbed to -3.5 (-115).
Spread tickets are 2.5/1 and spread money 3/1-plus on Texas Tech.
The total is down to 56.5, reaching that point this morning after a multiple stops on the way down from the 58.5 opener. Still, tickets and money are running about 2/1 on the Over.
In fact, among all bowl games, by ticket count, Cal-Texas Tech is the third-most-bet Over. Alabama-Michigan is No. 1, followed by Texas-Washington.
Click here for Vegas Insider senior reporter Patrick Everson's full College Football Bowl Odds: Spreads, Lines, Trends for Every Bowl Game.
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Independence Bowl Pick, Prediction
Action Network college football betting expert Collin Wilson offers this prediction:
There might not be a game with more fluidity in terms of coaches and rosters than the participants in the Independence Bowl.
Cal offensive line coach Mike Bloesch will take on play-calling duties in the wake of Jake Spavital moving on to Baylor.
The portal has wreaked havoc on both rosters, as Cal loses its top tackler while Texas Tech will miss key contributors at wide receiver and the offensive line.
The loss of defensive interior Jaylon Hutchings to injury will remove the bite from Texas Tech's pass rush, which hurts the Red Raiders because Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza is much more productive from a clean pocket.
Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks is set to return in 2024, but losses on the offensive line will create issues for the running back and the protection of quarterback Behren Morton.
Pick: California +2.5
For more college football picks, check out Action Network's College Football Bowl Confidence Pool Rankings: Collin Wilson’s Picks for All 2023 Bowl Games.
Independence Bowl Betting Resources
- Date: Saturday, December 16, 2023
- TV-Time: ESPN, 9:15 p.m. ET
- Venue: Independence Stadium
- Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
Independence Bowl History
The Independence Bowl began in 1976 and the matchup currently features schools from the ACC and SEC conferences. The game takes place at Independence Stadium from Shreveport, Louisiana.
Favorites have gone 11-3 straight up and 10-4 against the spread in the last 14 Independence Bowls, but the underdogs have come through in the past two affairs in Shreveport. Duke routed Temple in 2018 in a 56-27 blowout as 3.5-point 'dogs, followed by Louisiana Tech blanking Miami (FL), 14-0 in 2019 as a nearly touchdown 'dog. Louisiana Tech recorded the first shutout in Independence Bowl history, while snapping a four-game 'over' run in this game.
The 2020 installment was wiped out due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, but the game returned on Dec. 18, 2021 in a battle between independent BYU and Conference USA representative UAB.
The 2023 victory in the Independence Bowl by Texas Tech was the second straight season that bettors saw the favorite-under combination connect.
Independence Bowl Betting Results
| Year | Matchup | Spread, Totals | ATS Result |
| 2023 | Texas Tech 34 Cal 14 | Texas Tech -3.5, 54.5 | Favorite, Under |
| 2022 | Houston 23 Louisiana 16 | Houston -5, 56.5 | Favorite, Under |
| 2021 | UAB 31 BYU 28 | BYU -5.5, 54.5 | Underdog, Over |
| 2019 | Louisiana Tech 14 Miami (FL) 0 | Miami -6.5, 50 | Underdog, Under |
| 2018 | Duke 56 Temple 27 | Temple -3.5, 56.5 | Underdog, Over |
| 2017 | Florida State 42 Southern Miss 13 | FSU -12, 48.5 | Favorite, Over |
| 2016 | N.C. State 41 Vanderbilt 17 | N.C. State -6, 46 | Favorite, Over |
| 2015 | Virginia Tech 55 Tulsa 52 | Virginia Tech -14, 62.5 | Underdog, Over |
| 2014 | South Carolina 24 Miami (FL) 21 | Miami (FL) -3, 62 | Underdog, Under |
| 2013 | Arizona 42 Boston College 19 | Arizona -7.5, 56 | Favorite, Over |
| 2012 | Ohio 45 Louisiana-Monroe 14 | Louisiana-Monroe -7, 59 | Favorite, Push |
| 2011 | Missouri 41 North Carolina 24 | Missouri -4.5, 53 | Favorite, Over |
| 2010 | Air Force 14 Georgia Tech 7 | Air Force -3, 54.5 | Favorite, Under |
| 2009 | Georgia 44 Texas A&M 20 | Georgia -6.5, 65.5 | Favorite, Under |
| 2008 | Louisiana Tech 17 Northern Illinois 10 | Louisiana Tech -3, 46 | Favorite, Under |
| 2007 | Alabama 30 Colorado 24 | Alabama -4.5, 51.5 | Favorite, Over |
| 2006 | Oklahoma State 34 Alabama 31 | Oklahoma State -2, 49 | Favorite, Over |
| 2005 | Missouri 38 South Carolina 31 | South Carolina -3.5, 51.5 | Underdog, Over |
| 2004 | Iowa State 17 Miami (OH) 13 | Miami (OH) -3, 51 | Underdog, Under |
| 2003 | Arkansas 27 Missouri 14 | Arkansas -3, 55 | Favorite, Under |
| 2002 | Mississippi 27 Nebraska 23 | Nebraska -7, 55 | Underdog, Under |
| 2001 | Alabama 14 Iowa State 13 | Alabama -6.5, 51.5 | Underdog, Under |
| 2000 | Mississippi State 43 Texas A&M 41 (OT) | Texas A&M -1, 43.5 | Underdog, Over |
| 1999 | Mississippi 27 Oklahoma 25 | Oklahoma -4, 56.5 | Underdog, Under |
| 1998 | Mississippi 35 Texas Tech 18 | Texas Tech -8.5, 44.5 | Underdog, Over |
| 1997 | LSU 27 Notre Dame 9 | LSU -7, 44 | Favorite, Under |
| 1996 | Auburn 32 Army 29 | - | - |
| 1995 | LSU 45 Michigan State 26 | - | - |
| 1994 | Virginia 20 TCU 10 | - | - |
| 1993 | Virginia Tech 45 Indiana 20 | - | - |
| 1992 | Wake Forest 39 Oregon 35 | - | - |
| 1991 | Georgia 24 Arkansas 15 | - | - |
| 1990 | Louisiana Tech 34 Maryland 34 | - | - |
| 1989 | Oregon 27 Tulsa 24 | - | - |
| 1988 | Southern Miss 38 UTEP 18 | - | - |
| 1987 | Washington 24 Tulane 12 | - | - |
| 1986 | Mississippi 20 Texas Tech 17 | - | - |
| 1985 | Minnesota 20 Clemson 13 | - | - |
| 1984 | Air Force 23 Virginia Tech 7 | - | - |
| 1983 | Air Force 9 Mississippi 3 | - | - |
| 1982 | Wisconsin 14 Kansas State 3 | - | - |
| 1981 | Texas A&M 33 Oklahoma State 16 | - | - |
| 1980 | Southern Miss 16 McNeese State 14 | - | - |
| 1979 | Syracuse 31 McNeese State 7 | - | - |
| 1978 | East Carolina 35 Louisiana Tech 13 | - | - |
| 1977 | Louisiana Tech 24 Louisville 14 | - | - |
| 1976 | McNeese State 20 Tulsa 16 | - | - |
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Here’s everything you need to know about College Football Playoff odds for the semis: opening lines, spreads and betting trends for each game, as multiple oddsmakers provide insights on CFP odds and action. Check back regularly for updates and use our new ESPN BET bonus code VIBONUS to get the most out of your action.
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