College Football Bowl Game Total Odds & Predictions

The annual college football bowl season is here, and with it we bring you our early total NCAA Football betting picks and free predictions for the five games that will grace our screens this Saturday, December 19th, 2015. So let’s start!!

Analyzing the College Football Bowl Game Total Odds & Predictions

Arriving at the @GildanNMbowl like…. pic.twitter.com/JuwCkNjCAJ

— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) December 17, 2015

Arizona vs. New Mexico, Gildan New Mexico Bowl

When: Saturday, December 19 at 10:00 PM AST NCAAF Odds: OVER/UNDER 64.5 Analysis: Banged up or fully fit, QB Anu Solomon (2,338 yards and 18 touchdowns against just four interceptions) is more than capable of taking advantage of New Mexico’s leaky pass defense that is ranked 86th in the nation (giving up 237.7 yards per game). Meanwhile, the Lobos have a sterling triple-threat offense that is led by the trio of quarterback Lamar Jordan along with running backs Teriyon Gipson and Jhurell Pressley. This offense is averaging a staggering 246.5 rushing yards per game (eighth-best in the nation), a stat line that guarantees some mega production against Arizona’s challenged running game that is giving up 188.5 yards per game this season (ranked 89th in the nation). Added to New Mexico’s motivation of playing in home territory and Arizona’s quest to end their season on a positive note, an electric atmosphere can be expected in this bowl, setting up the stage for the possibility of a high-scoring game.

BYU vs. No. 22 Utah, Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl

When: Saturday, December 19 at 11:30 PM AST NCAAF Odds: OVER/UNDER 54 Analysis: Going by the way the Utes have struggled offensively in the absence of Devontae Booker, it doesn’t look like the team will be able to get solid numbers from BYU’s bend-don’t-break defense that has collected 37 sacks (seventh) and 15 interceptions (21st) on the season. With the onus being on QB Travis Wilson (10 TDs, 13 picks) to lead the offense, we foresee a situation in which BYU’s pass-rushing unit (led by linebacker Fred Warner and defensive end Bronson Kaufusi) putting the clamps on him, leading to a regulated scoring game from the Utes. In the meantime, Cougars quarterback Tanner Mangum has been a solid performer and he should be able to lead a decent number of scoring plays against Utah’s passing defense that ranks 97th in the nation with 253.4 yards allowed per game. Even so, the Utes have been able to make up for their poor passing defense with their ability to force turnovers. On the season, the Utes have collected 19 interceptions (tied for seventh-most in the nation), something that could force Mangum and his targets into some errors. Keeping all that in mind, this game has the outlook of an averagely scoring game. Pick: NCAAF betting enthusiasts are treated to a tame scoring encounter that just about manages to keep the total UNDER (54).

Ohio vs. Appalachian State, Raycom Media Camellia Bowl

When: Saturday, December 19 at 1:30 AM AST NCAAF Odds: OVER/UNDER 54 Analysis: Appalachian State brings with it a 13th-ranked scoring defense and 19th-ranked in scoring offense in this bowl game, meaning they are a largely balanced unit that is able to take care of the ball on both ends of the field. The Bobcats, meanwhile, have had some pretty decent defensive performances, but have equally been on the end of some big defeats against questionable teams due to their lukewarm offense. This game’s total is thus likely to be determined not just by how Appalachian’s balanced team shows up, but how Bobcats will represent themselves in the attack, as well as keep things tight at the back. Pick: Ohio doesn’t give much of a big offensive performance, but Appalachian lights up the scoreboard to push up the total above 54 points for an OVER payout.

San José State vs. Georgia State, Cure Bowl Predictions

When: Saturday, December 19 at 3:00 AM AST NCAAF Odds: OVER/UNDER 56 Analysis: Whereas San Jose State star running back Tyler Ervin is a hot pick to have a big day on the ground against Georgia State’s wobbly rushing defense, the Panthers come into this contest allowing less than 15 points per game in their last four contests, including the 34-7 road win over the 8-4 Georgia Southern team at the end of the season. Meanwhile, Panthers quarterback Nick Arbuckle and Georgia State’s No.8 passing offense will have the toughest defensive challenge to date, going against San Jose’s stellar pass defense ranked No.2 in the nation. It would therefore be a big surprise if this game ended up becoming a high-scoring affair, considering how both defensive units stack up entering this game. Pick: The Cure Bowl serves a soup of several turnovers and hard-nosed defensive displays that will keep the game’s total below 56 points for an UNDER total.

Arkansas State vs. Louisiana Tech, R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

When: Saturday, December 19, 5:00 AM AST NCAAF Odds: OVER/UNDER 67 Analysis: The Red Wolves enter the New Orleans Bowl bragging of an eight-game winning streak, with the offense failing to score 40-plus points in just one of the eight games. That just shows the kind of mountain Louisiana Tech will be climbing this Saturday. Meanwhile, in their 12 games this season, the Bulldogs have racked up 441 total points and 5,589 yards of total offense, underlining their equally up-to-the-task attack. When you combine all that offense and the reality that both Arkansas State and Louisiana Tech haven’t been particularly strong mean in the defense, this game has the potential of blowing up the scores as high as 80 points, especially if Jeff Driskel and Fredi Knighten can lead their armies dutifully. Pick: Driskel and Knighten treat us to a back-and-forth shootout performance, with their running backs also chipping in solidly, leading to an OVER (67) total encounter.