College Football Bowl Odds: Lines, Betting Trends on Biggest Matchups

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

10 minute read

College football bowl odds are thoroughly overshadowed by the new 12-team College Football Playoff. But there are some intriguing matchups and betting opportunities dotting the bowl schedule.

Among the most interesting contests in odds for college football bowl games: Alabama vs. Michigan, Iowa State vs. Miami and BYU vs. Colorado.

Here’s everything you need to know about the college football odds bowl games market: opening lines, spreads and betting trends for the biggest games, as multiple oddsmakers provide insights on College football bowl odds and action. Check back regularly for updates and use our BetMGM bonus code to get the most out of your action.

2024 College Football Bowl Odds

Tulane vs. Florida Odds

• Opening point spread: Florida -9.5
• Opening moneyline: Florida -325/Tulane +260
• Opening total: Over/Under 49.5 points scored
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET Friday, Dec. 20 (ESPN2)

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY, DEC. 13: Florida (7-5 SU/8-4 ATS) had what was widely viewed as the most difficult schedule in college football this season. The Gators played Georgia, Texas and Tennessee – all three are in the CFP – along with Miami, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and LSU.

Florida beat LSU and Ole Miss in back-to-back weeks late in the season. The 'Noles then rolled over Florida State 31-11 laying 17 points on the road to cap the regular season. Florida is on a modest three-game SU and ATS upswing and is 8-1 ATS in its last nine games.

Tulane (9-4 SU and ATS) reached the American Athletic Conference title game, giving it a fringe chance to make the CFP. But the Green Wave got rolled by Army 35-14 as 5-point favorites.

DraftKings Sportsbook opened Florida -9.5 Sunday and climbed in a hurry, getting to -14 by Thursday for the Gasparilla Bowl. That's in large part due to Tulane's QB corps entering the transfer portal: starter Darian Mensah (who committed to Duke), and backups Ty Thompson and Kai Horton.

It appears Thompson will still start for Tulane.

Early spread tickets and money are running almost 2/1 on Florida. The total opened at 49.5, peaked at 51 Tuesday and is now 49.5 again in DK's college football bowl odds. Tickets and money are in the 3/1 range on the Over.

Action Network: Who's in the portal, who's opting out, who's injured.

Oklahoma vs. Navy Odds

• Opening point spread: Oklahoma -9
• Opening moneyline: Oklahoma -290/Navy +235
• Opening total: Over/Under 46.5 points scored
• Time: Noon ET Friday, Dec. 27 (ESPN)

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY, DEC. 13: Navy (8-3 SU/7-4 ATS) had a solid season, built mostly on starting 6-0 SU/5-1 ATS. The Midshipmen capped the season with a 34-20 win at East Carolina catching 3 points, earning a spot in the Armed Forces Bowl.

Oklahoma (6-6 SU and ATS) had a very un-Oklahoma-like season, barely scratching its way to .500 and bowl eligibility. But that sixth win was a big one. The Sooners were 14.5-point home underdogs to Alabama and pulled off a stunning 24-3 blowout.

Oklahoma has mostly toggled between -9/-8.5 in the early going in DraftKings' college football odds bowl market. The Sooners touched -9.5 Tuesday and -10 Thursday, before backing up to -8.5. Spread tickets are almost even, but Navy is attracting 81% of early spread dollars.

The total is down to 43.5 from a 46.5 opener, with multiple stops along the way.

Texas A&M vs. USC Odds

• Opening point spread: Texas A&M -1
• Opening moneyline: Texas A&M -115/USC -105
• Opening total: Over/Under 50.5 points scored
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET Friday, Dec. 27 (ESPN)

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY, DEC. 13: Texas A&M (8-4 SU/3-9 ATS) was on the brink of the SEC Championship Game and therefore very much in the CFP mix entering the final week of the regular season. But the Aggies fell to Texas 17-7 getting 4.5 points at home.

A&M failed to cover in its last four games and has one of the worst spread-covering marks in the nation as it ramps up for the Las Vegas Bowl.

USC (6-6 SU/7-5 ATS) was in hanging with Notre Dame in the regular-season finale, trailing 35-28 late in the fourth quarter. But stunningly, QB Jayden Maiava threw pick-sixes on two straight possessions, one returned 99 yards and another 100 yards.

So the Trojans lost 49-35 as 6.5-point home pups. USC then had starting wideouts Kyron Hudson and Duce Robinson hit the transfer portal, among others.

DraftKings opened Texas A&M -1 in college football bowl game odds. The Aggies have since moved out to -3.5. It's all A&M early on the spread, at 88% of bets/91% of money.

The total opened at 50.5 and climbed to 52 by Tuesday. The Over is getting 85% of bets and practically every dollar early on.

Iowa State vs. Miami Odds

• Opening point spread: Iowa State -1
• Opening moneyline: Iowa State -115/Miami -105
• Opening total: Over/Under 53.5 points scored
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 28 (ABC)

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY, DEC. 13: Miami (10-2 SU/6-6 ATS) was the second team left out of the College Football Playoff, behind Alabama. That's entirely due to the Hurricanes losing their regular-season finale and failing to make the ACC Championship Game.

Miami was a 12-point favorite at Syracuse and led 21-0 early in the second quarter. But the 'Canes gave up that lead by early in the third quarter and got into a shootout, losing 42-38.

Iowa State (10-3 SU/7-6 ATS) had a cleaner shot at a CFP bid, reaching the Big 12 title game. But the Cyclones then absorbed a 45-19 beatdown as 1.5-point favorites vs. Arizona State.

DraftKings opened Iowa State -1 for the Pop-Tarts Bowl, but the line quickly jumped the fence to Miami -1 and is now out to Hurricanes -3.5. That's likely due to Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward saying he'll be under center for Miami. But keep an eye on that, as he could opt out.

Early bettors seem to anticipate Ward keeping his word. Miami is getting 69% of early spread tickets and money.

The total opened at 53.5 and is up to 55.5 in odds for college football bowl games at DraftKings. Practically all the tickets and dollars are on the Over in the early going.

BYU vs. Colorado Odds

• Opening point spread: Colorado -2.5
• Opening moneyline: Colorado -130/BYU +110
• Opening total: Over/Under 54.5 points scored
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 28 (ABC)

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY, DEC. 13: The Alamo Bowl is an interesting matchup, pitting two Big 12 teams against each other. Colorado and BYU didn't meet in the regular season, while both lost tiebreakers for a bid into the conference title game.

Colorado (9-3 SU and ATS) saw its Big 12 and CFP hopes thwarted by a 37-21 Week 13 loss as 1.5-point favorites at Kansas. Heisman Trophy favorite Travis Hunter and the Buffaloes rebounded by flattening Oklahoma State 52-0 laying 14.5 points in the season finale.

BYU (10-2 SU/7-5 ATS) was a perfect 9-0 SU (7-2 ATS), but a two-game hiccup ruined its bid for the Big 12 title. The Cougars then capped the regular season with a 30-18 win over Houston, just shy of covering as 12.5-point home faves.

Colorado spent the past few days toggling between the -2.5 opener and -3 at DraftKings Sportsbook. The Buffs are now -3 while landing 79% of early spread bets/93% of early spread money. And moneyline action is landing on Colorado at a similar rate.

The total is painted to 54.5, though nearly all the early action is on the Over.

Marshall vs. Army Odds

• Opening point spread: Army -7.5
• Opening moneyline: Army -270/Marshall +220
• Opening total: Over/Under 48.5 points scored
• Time: 9:15 p.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 28 (ESPN)

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY, DEC. 13: Army (11-1 SU/7-4 ATS) had a season for the ages that came close to a berth in the 12-team CFP. The Black Knights finished as the second-highest-ranked Group of 5 conference champion.

The highest-ranked Group of 5 champ, in this case Boise State, got an automatic CFP bid. Army settled for an Independence Bowl bid.

In the American Athletic Conference final, Army was catching 5 points at home and routed Tulane 35-14.

Marshall (10-3 SU/10-1-1 ATS) posted the best spread-covering mark in the nation this year. The Thundering Herd won the Sun Belt title game in impressive fashion, closing as 5-point road underdogs and pounding Louisiana 31-3.

Marshall is on a 7-0 SU/6-1 ATS run. However, the Thundering Herd's transfer portal list is huge, including QB Braylon Braxton and both of his backups. Other starters in the portal: running back AJ Turner, wideout Chuck Montgomery and a host of defensive players.

As such, this line has seen huge movement in DraftKings Sportsbook's college football bowl odds. Army opened -7.5, shot directly to -12 Tuesday on early portal news and is now out to -16 (-115).

Somehow, spread tickets are running 50/50 on this game, but spread money is almost entirely on the Black Knights.

The total has been much less volatile, opening at 48.5 and now at 48. The Over is seeing 68% of tickets, while 79% of money is on the Over.

Iowa vs. Missouri Odds

• Opening point spread: Missouri -2.5
• Opening moneyline: Missouri -125/Iowa +105
• Opening total: Over/Under 43.5 points scored
• Time: 2:30 p.m. ET Monday, Dec. 30 (ESPN)

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY, DEC. 13: Missouri (9-3 SU/8-4 ATS) finished No. 19 in the CFP rankings. The Tigers ended the regular season with a 28-21 win over Arkansas as 3-point home favorites, earning a Music City Bowl berth.

Iowa (8-4 SU/6-5-1 ATS) finished the regular season with a very Iowa-like win. the Hawkeyes beat Nebraska 13-10, pushing as 3-point home favorites. While that game had little scoring, it's worth noting that the Over is a surprising 9-3 in Iowa games this season.

DraftKings toggled between Missouri -2.5/-3 multiple times early this week and touched -3.5 Tuesday. Mizzou is now -3 (-115), while netting 81% of early spread bets/94% of early spread money.

Tigers QB Brady Cook is a potential opt-out, which would significantly alter the odds. Hawkeyes QB Cade McNamara is in the transfer portal.

The total opened at 43.5 and by Tuesday tumbled to 40, where it remains today. The Under is taking 72% of bets/96% of cash.

Alabama vs. Michigan Odds

• Opening point spread: Alabama -11.5
• Opening moneyline: Alabama -395/Michigan +310
• Opening total: Over/Under 43.5 points scored
• Time: Noon ET Tuesday, Dec. 31 (ESPN)

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY, DEC. 13: Alabama (9-3 SU/7-5 ATS) was the first team left out of the 12-team College Football Playoff. The Crimson Tide's shocking 24-3 Week 13 loss at Oklahoma sealed that deal. 'Bama was a 14-point favorite in that game.

The Tide rebounded a week later with a 28-14 win over Auburn, cashing as 11-point favorites.

It's hard to believe, but Michigan (7-5 SU/5-7 ATS) won the national championship last season. This year, the Wolverines barely finished above .500. But they got that seventh win in style.

Michigan went to archrival Ohio State as a massive 19.5-point underdog and exited with a 13-10 outright upset.

For the Reliaquest Bowl, DraftKings opened Alabama -11.5, and the line got as low as -9.5 Thursday in college football bowl game odds. The Tide are now -10 while drawing 57% of early spread tickets/78% of early spread money.

The total inched from 43.5 to 43 Tuesday, but 85% of tickets/83% of dollars are on the Over.

Both teams have a host of potential opt-outs, including Alabama QB Jalen Milroe and Michigan running back Donovan Edwards. So keep an eye on that.

South Carolina vs. Illinois Odds

• Opening point spread: South Carolina -11.5
• Opening moneyline: South Carolina -425/Illinois +330
• Opening total: Over/Under 47.5 points scored
• Time: 3 p.m. ET Tuesday, Dec. 31 (ABC)

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY, DEC. 13: South Carolina (9-3 SU and ATS) almost worked itself into the CFP conversation with a 6-0 tear to end the regular season. And that run began after the Gamecocks nearly upset Alabama, losing 27-25 as hefty 21-point road underdogs.

South Carolina capped the regular season with a 17-14 win getting 2.5 points at Clemson, a team that made the CFP. The Gamecocks are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games.

Illinois (9-3 SU/8-3-1 ATS) enters the Citrus Bowl on a modest 3-0 SU and ATS upswing. The Fighting Illini finished the regular season with a 38-28 win at Northwestern, narrowly cashing as 9.5-point road favorites.

South Carolina opened -11.5 at DraftKings, dipped to -11 Tuesday, then went to -9.5 Thursday in college football bowl odds. The spread is drawing two-way action early, with 56% of tickets on South Carolina/59% of money on Illinois.

The total is up a tick from 47.5 to 48, with 64% of tickets/75% of money on the Over.

Duke vs. Ole Miss Odds

• Opening point spread: Ole Miss -14
• Opening moneyline: Ole Miss -550/Duke +410
• Opening total: Over/Under 53.5 points scored
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 2 (ESPN)

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY, DEC. 13: Ole Miss (9-3 SU/7-5 ATS) had a great shot at making the CFP before suffering a 24-17 loss at Florida in Week 13, as 13.5-point chalk, no less. In the regular-season-ending Egg Bowl, the Rebels topped Mississippi State 26-14, miles short of covering the 26-point spread.

Duke (9-3 SU/8-3-1 ATS) won its last three games to land in the Gator Bowl. The Blue Devils capped the regular season with a 23-17 victory laying 3.5 points at Wake Forest. Duke is 5-1 ATS in its last six games.

Ole Miss hit DraftKings' college football bowl game odds as a 14-point favorite. The Rebels bottomed out at -13 early Tuesday, but quickly rebounded to -14.5. Early spread tickets are almost dead even, while 59% of early spread money is on Duke.

The total is down to 52.5 from a 53.5 opener, with 79% of tickets/57% of cash on the Over.

Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson