College Football Bowl Odds: Bettors Eye Georgia State, Vs Ball State

UPDATE 6 P.M. ET FRIDAY, DEC. 24: DraftKings pegged Georgia State a 3.5-point favorite on Dec. 5, reached -4.5 a day later and advanced to -5.5 Monday. The Panthers backed up to -4.5 at lunch hour Thursday, then returned to -5.5 a few hours later. Ticket count is almost 3/1 and money 2/1 on Georgia State. The total opened at 49.5 and has been at 51 since Tuesday morning. Ticket count and money are both in the 3/1 range.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15: Georgia State (7-5 SU, 8-4 ATS) went on a 6-1 SU and ATS tear to land in this Christmas Day bowl game. The Panthers capped the regular season with a 37-10 home wipeout of Troy laying 6.5 points. Georgia State failed to cash in season-opening losses to Army and North Carolina, then went 8-2 ATS the rest of the way.

Ball State (6-6 SU, 4-8 ATS) beat Buffalo 20-3 as a 6-point home chalk to close the season. That victory also halted a 1-3 SU/0-4 ATS slide.

Georgia State is up a tick to -4 at TwinSpires, while netting 54% of spread tickets/65% of spread dollars.

“Sharp money on Georgia State -3.5,” Lucas said.

The total is also up a half-point t0 50, with 57% of tickets/63% of money on the Over.

Hawaii Bowl

Memphis vs Hawaii

Opening line: Memphis -4.5, Over/Under 61

UPDATE 10:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY, DEC. 23: Less than 24 hours before kickoff, Hawaii withdrew from the Hawaii Bowl. The program said COVID issues led to the decision to withdraw, thereby canceling the game.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15: Hawaii apparently gets a default entry into this game, despite being 6-7 SU (5-7-1 ATS). That said, the Rainbow Warriors at least won their last two games, and the regular-season finale was noteworthy. Hawaii went to chilly Laramie as a 13-point pup and rolled to a 38-13 victory over Wyoming.

Memphis (6-6 SU, 4-8 ATS) got to .500 by beating Tulane 33-28 laying 5.5 points at home to cap the regular season.

Despite the game’s name and location, the Tigers are already up to -7.5 on TwinSpires’ college football bowl odds board. Ticket count is 2/1 and money beyond 5/1 Memphis.

“It’s been all Memphis money so far. Hawaii will be a big need for us,” Lucas said.

The total has tumbled 4.5 points to 56.5, with 62% of bets/78% of cash on the Under.

“It’s a mix of public and sharp money on the Under,” Lucas said of action on this Christmas Eve game’s total.

Frisco Football Classic

Miami-Ohio vs North Texas

Opening line: Miami-Ohio -4.5, Over/Under 52.5

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET THURSDAY, DEC. 23: Thirty minutes before kickoff, this line sits at Miami-Ohio -1 at BetMGM Nevada. Miami-Ohio opened -4.5 back on Dec. 5, dipped to -2.5 by Tuesday, then to pick ’em this afternoon. Ticket count is fairly close, at 1.5/1 on North Texas, but money is running 5/1 on the Mean Green.

“Not a whole lot of money on this game. One big bet could change that,” BetMGM Nevada’s Randy Madayag said.

The total is out to 56.5 from a 52.5 opener, with ticket count 5/1 and money 7/1 on the Over.

UPDATE MIDNIGHT ET TUESDAY, DEC. 21: It’s the second bowl game in three days at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. On Tuesday, the venue hosted San Diego State’s Frisco Bowl win over UTSA. In Thursday’s matchup, Miami-Ohio opened as a 3.5-point favorite at DraftKings and made a couple trips to -2.5. That’s where the line is now, with ticket count almost dead even, but money almost 4/1 on North Texas. The total opened at 52.5, peaked at 56.5 and is now 54.5. The Over is taking more than 80% of tickets, but just 61% of cash.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15: Yes, Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, is hosting two bowl games in a three-day span. However, this matchup isn’t nearly as compelling as the Frisco Bowl, played Tuesday night.

In defense of North Texas (6-6 SU, 9-3 ATS), the Mean Green are a spread-covering machine — among the top five in the nation. North Texas is on surges of 5-0 SU and 6-0 ATS. In their regular-season finale, the Mean Green torched UTSA 45-23 as a 9.5-point home underdog.

Miami-Ohio (6-6 SU, 5-7 ATS) also needed a late-season 4-1 SU surge to get to .500. The RedHawks then lost their season closer at Kent State, 48-47 in overtime as 1-point faves.

TwinSpires first moved Miami-Ohio to -4 on the way down to -3. The RedHawks are drawing 58% of spread tickets, while the Mean Green are attracting 67% of spread dollars.

“It’s been all sharp money on North Texas since this opened,” TwinSpires trading analyst Zachary Lucas said.

The total is up to 54.5, with tickets and money in the 2/1 range on the Over.

Gasparilla Bowl

Central Florida vs Florida

Opening line: Florida -6.5, Over/Under 56.5

UPDATE 3:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY, DEC. 23: Florida rose from -7 to -7.5 within a few hours after this matchup first posted at BetMGM Nevada, on Dec. 5. The Gators then dipped to -6.5 a couple of times, including this afternoon, as they’re now -6.5 (-115). Ticket count is 2/1 and money 3/1 on Central Florida. After opening at 56.5, the total has been stable at 55.5 since Friday. Ticket count is 1.5/1 and money 8/1 on the Under.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15: Neither team has far to travel for this Dec. 23 game at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Florida (6-6 SU, 3-9 ATS) ended a disappointing regular season with a 24-21 win over Florida State to reach .500, but just missed covering as a 4-point home chalk. That was a recurring theme down the stretch for the Gators, who have failed to cash in seven straight games.

Central Florida (8-4 SU, 4-8 ATS) wasn’t much better against the number, as evidenced by its last game. The Knights were 17-point home favorites against South Florida and squeezed out a 17-13 victory. They enter this game in a 1-3 ATS rut.

TwinSpires has Florida up to -7, with 56% of tickets and 64% of cash on the Gators.

“Slight sharp by on Florida -6.5. No buyback yet on UCF,” Lucas said.

The total nudged down to 56, with 62% of tickets on the Over and 58% of money on the Under.

“Sharp money on Under 56.5,” Lucas said.

Armed Forces Bowl

Missouri vs Army

Opening line: Army -3, Over/Under 60.5

UPDATE 6:15 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY, DEC. 22: WynnBet opened Army at -3.5 (-120) Dec. 5, reached -5 Monday, then went straight to -7 Tuesday. That was mostly due to the news that standout Missouri running back Tyler Badie won’t play tonight. Army is collecting 65% of spread bets, but spread money is two-way, with 53% on Mizzou. After opening at 60.5, the total tumbled to 54, with the final 3 points coming over the last couple of days. The Under is netting 54% of bets/69% of cash.

UPDATE MIDNIGHT ET TUESDAY, DEC. 21: With Missouri getting more shorthanded each day, Army is up to -6.5 at DraftKings, after opening -3. Mizzou announced Tuesday that it won’t field standout running back Tyler Badie, as he preps for the NFL Draft. QB QB Connor Bazelak dealt with a leg injury much of the season and won’t start. Rather, the Tigers will give redshirt freshman Brady Cook his first career start.

Further, Missouri has injuries on both sides of the ball. Point-spread ticket count is 2/1 and money 5/1 on the Black Knights. The total tumbled from 60.5 to 54.5, with 53% of tickets/67% of money on the Under.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15: Of course Army (8-4 SU, 6-6 ATS) is in the Armed Forces Bowl, bolstered by a late-season 4-1 SU/3-2 ATS surge. But the Black Knights would probably trade the bowl game for a victory in their regular-season finale. Army fell to Navy 17-13 giving 7 points at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 11.

Missouri barely made it to .500 and was one of the worst spread-covering outfits in the nation this year. The Tigers (6-6 SU, 3-9 ATS) beat Florida 24-23 in overtime as a 9.5-point home ‘dog in the penultimate week of the regular season. Then on Nov. 26, Mizzou went to Arkansas as a 14.5-point pup and exited with a 34-17 loss (which actually snapped the the team’s 3-0 ATS run).

TwinSpires has Army up to -4, with 54% of tickets/66% of dollars on the Black Knights.

“Sharp money on Army -3 and -3.5,” Lucas said.

The total is down 3 points to 57.5, with 72% of bets/86% of cash on the Under.

“Bettors can’t get enough of this Under,” Lucas said. The Under hit in seven of Army’s last eight games against FBS squads — including the last four in a row — and three of Missouri’s last four.

Frisco Bowl

San Diego State vs UTSA

Opening line: Texas-San Antonio -3, Over/Under 50

UPDATE 4:30 P.M. ET TUESDAY: UTSA landed on BetMGM’s odds board as a 3-point favorite Dec. 6. In the past few days, news broke that Roadrunners star running back Sincere McCormick opted out of the game and declared for the NFL Draft. By Sunday afternoon, the line was down to pick, on the way to San Diego State -2.5 Sunday night.

The Aztecs went to -3 Monday and are now -2.5. But it’s two-way action, with 56% of bets and 55% of money on UTSA. The total is down to 48.5 from a 50.5 opener, with ticket count a 50/50 split and 74% of money on the Under.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET MONDAY: Over the weekend, this number jumped the fence at DraftKings. Texas-San Antonio opened as a 2.5-point chalk Dec. 5, then dipped to -1.5 and returned to -2.5 over the first 24 hours. The line began shifting Thursday, first to UTSA -1, then on Saturday to San Diego State -1 on the way to -2.5. This morning, the Aztecs got to -3, and they’re currently -3 (even).

A big reason for the big move: The Roadrunners won’t have Sincere McCormick. The star running back declared for the NFL Draft and won’t play in Tuesday’s game. McCormick ran for 1,479 yards and 15 TDS this season. Still, UTSA is seeing 54% of tickets/66% of money on the spread.

The total opened at 50, had a couple of stretches at 49 and is now 49.5 (even). The Over is getting 76% of bets/61% of money.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: If you can just get past the full name of this bowl — the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl — this is actually a pretty good matchup. UTSA (12-1 SU, 9-4 ATS) had an undefeated season in the works, then stunningly stubbed its toe at North Texas in the regular-season final. The Roadrunners got rolled 45-23 as an 8.5-point road chalk.

But UTSA rebounded in the Conference USA title game, outlasting Western Kentucky 49-41 as a 3-point pup.

San Diego State (11-2 SU, 6-6-1 ATS) was 11-1 and a 6.5-point chalk against Utah State in the Mountain West championship. But the Aztecs — missing several players because of COVID — were dealt a 46-13 beatdown on their quasi-home field in Carson, Calif., awaiting the opening of their new stadium.

Still, the first move on this game was toward San Diego State, with UTSA dipping to -2.5 at TwinSpires. The Roadrunners are getting 62% of tickets and the Aztecs 59% of money.

“Sharp money on San Diego State +3 so far,” Lucas said.

The total inched down to 49.5, with 60% of tickets on the Under/57% of money on the Over.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Wyoming vs Kent State

Opening line: Wyoming -4, Over/Under 58.5

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET TUESDAY: BetMGM opened Wyoming as a 3.5-point chalk and made a couple of treks to -3, which is where the line sits now. With kickoff under three hours away, ticket count is dead even and Kent State is nabbing 54% of money. The total is up a full point today, to 60.5, and 2 points from the Dec. 5 opener of 58.5. Ticket count and money are running 4/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET MONDAY: Wyoming bounced between -3.5 and -3 a couple of times these past two weeks at DraftKings. Tonight, 16 hours ahead of kickoff, the line is Cowboys -3.5 on solid two-way action. Wyoming is netting 54% of spread tickets, but spread money is split 50/50. The total has been nailed to 59 since Dec. 6, shortly after opening at 58.5. Ticket count is almost 2/1 and money 3/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: There’s nothing that two teams in cold winter climates appreciate more than … going to cold weather for a bowl game. But that’s what happens sometimes when your combined records are one game over .500.

Wyoming (6-6 SU, 4-7-1 ATS) at least has a relatively short trek to Boise, Idaho. And the Cowboys are already well-versed at being cold, going 2-6 SU (3-5 ATS) in their last eight games. Wyoming ended the regular season with a 38-14 thud of a home loss to Hawaii as a 13-point chalk.

By comparison, Kent State (7-6 SU, 6-7 ATS) played its way into this game. The Golden Flashes went on a 4-1 SU and ATS late-season run to earn a spot in the MAC title game. In fact, they were 3.5-point neutral-site favorites against Northern Illinois but got rolled 41-23.

Wyoming spent time at -3.5 on the way down to -3 in TwinSpires’ college football bowl odds market. It’s two-way action, with 64% of bets on Wyoming/56% of money on Kent State.

“Sharp money on Kent State +4 and +3.5,” Lucas said.

The total hasn’t moved off of 58.5, with 55% of bets on the Over/54% of money on the Under.

Myrtle Beach Bowl

Tulsa vs Old Dominion

Opening line: Tulsa -7, Over/Under 51

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET MONDAY: An hour before kickoff, Tulsa is down to a 7.5-point favorite at TwinSpires Sportsbook. The line is approaching the early December -7 opener, from which it quickly climbed to -9.5. Old Dominion is taking 55% of spread tickets and Tulsa 58% of spread money.

“Sharp money on Tulsa early, and now money coming in on Old Dominion Sunday and today. Good two-way action,” TwinSpires trading analyst Zachary Lucas said.

The total is out to 55 from a 51 opener, with 56% of tickets/80% of cash on the Over.

“Sharp money on the Over. We’ll need the Under for a sizable amount,” Lucas said.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: It’s a battle of .500 teams that came on strong down the stretch just to become bowl-eligible. Tulsa (6-6 SU, 7-5 ATS) won its final three games, while Old Dominion (6-6 SU, 9-3 ATS) closed on a 5-0 SU and ATS run.

Tulsa enters this one off a 34-31 upset victory over SMU as a 6.5-point road underdog on Nov. 27 — the team’s fourth consecutive spread cover. The Golden Hurricane gave host Oklahoma State all it could handle in Week 2 (28-23 loss) and managed to cover at Ohio State in Week 3.

Old Dominion capped its five-game SU and ATS winning streak Nov. 27, when the Monarchs went to Charlotte as 9-point faves and rolled 56-34.

Tulsa is taking a modest majority 56% of bets, but a more noteworthy 73% of money on the spread.

“Sharp money on Tulsa -7 and -7.5,” Lucas said.

The total upped to 52.5 at TwinSpires, with 59% of bets on the Under/62% of money on the Over.

Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl

Oregon State vs Utah State

Opening line: Oregon State -7.5, Over/Under 64.5

UPDATE 4:45 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Less than three hours before kickoff, Oregon State is at its low point as a 6.5-point favorite. The Beavers opened -7.5 on Dec. 5, peaked at -8 on Dec. 6 and spent much of the past 12 days at -7. Oregon State touched -7.5 again for a few hours early today, before backing up. Utah State is attracting 61% of tickets and money on the spread. The total opened at 64.5 and rose to 67.5, where it’s been since Sunday. The Under is netting 59% of tickets, while 52% of money is on the Over.

UPDATE 9 P.M. ET FRIDAY: This is the final game on the Saturday bowl slate, and arguably the most appealing one. WynnBet opened Oregon State -7.5 and on Dec. 6 briefly got to -8 before falling to -7, where it remained until Tuesday. Oregon State has been at -7.5 since Tuesday night, while taking 55% of tickets and 67% of money. The total is up to 68 from a 65 opener and 64.5 low point. The Under is seeing 56% of bets, and the Over is drawing 74% of money.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: They’ll pretty much name a bowl game after anything — or apparently, anyone. Oregon State (7-5 SU and ATS) got out of the gate 4-1 SU and ATS, but was a sub-.500 team the rest of the way. In the season finale at Oregon, the Beavers fell 38-29 as 7.5-point underdogs.

Utah State (10-3 SU, 9-4 ATS) is the hotter team from the smaller conference. The Aggies closed with a 7-1 SU/6-2 ATS flourish, including a 46-13 wipeout of San Diego State as 6.5-point underdogs in the Mountain West title game.

TwinSpires’ line hasn’t moved off -7.5, but tickets and money are just shy of 2/1 Aggies.

“Utah State is a trendy ‘dog,” Lucas said. “Players are finding it hard to pass up on the team with the better record getting a touchdown.”

The total is up to 67 from a 64.5 opener, with tickets and money beyond 3/1 on the Over.

New Orleans Bowl

Marshall vs Louisiana-Lafayette

Opening line: ULL -4.5, Over/Under 51.5

UPDATE 7:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Louisiana-Lafayette opened -5.5 at DraftKings, spent time last week at -6, then returned to -5 Dec. 9. On Monday, the Ragin’ Cajuns went to -5.5, but have been sliding ever since and are now -4 (-115). However, ULL is still attracting 71% of spread bets and 64% of spread money. The total is up to 55.5 from a 51.5 opener, though the splits don’t speak much to the move: 64% of bets on the Over/53% of money on the Under.

UPDATE 9 P.M. ET FRIDAY: This line has bounced around at WynnBet, from ULL -5.5 to -5, then to -6 and back to -5.5 by Dec. 9. On Monday, the Ragin’ Cajuns dipped to -5, and this morning, they went to -4.5 on the way to -4. Louisiana-Lafayette is taking 60% of spread bets and 56% of spread dollars. The total is out to 55.5 from a 51.5 opener, with 63% of bets/89% of cash on the Over.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Louisiana-Lafayette lost its season opener at Texas and hasn’t tasted defeat since. The Ragin’ Cajuns (12-1 SU, 6-7 ATS) stretched their winning streak to 12 in the Sun Belt Title game, dumping Appalachian State 24-16 as a 2.5-point home dog.

Marshall (7-5 SU, 6-6 ATS) got trucked in its regular-season finale Nov. 27, losing 53-21 as a 1-point home ‘dog.

The Ragin’ Cajuns are up to -5 at TwinSpires, while taking 80% of tickets and 70% of cash.

“The public is all over ULL. No buyback yet on Marshall,” Lucas said of the last of six Saturday bowl games.

The total is much more on the move, going from 51.5 to 52.5, then to 54 and now 55. The Over is seeing 72% of tickets/87% of dollars.

“The Under will be a big decision for us,” Lucas said.

Independence Bowl

UAB vs BYU

Opening line: Brigham Young -8, Over/Under 54.5

UPDATE 2:45 P.M. ET SATURDAY: BYU QB Jaren Hall was declared out today, still hampered by a foot injury from the season-closing win at Southern Cal on Nov. 27. So Baylor Romney will get the start. That prompted BetMGM Nevada to shorten the Cougars from -6.5 to -6, on a line that opened -8 on Dec. 6. But BYU is still the popular pick.

“We need UAB for a decent-sized amount,” BetMGM Nevada’s Jeff Stoneback said. “Ticket count is huge, 5/1 on BYU, but money is closer, 3/2 on BYU.”

Stoneback said UAB drew sharp money early on last week, at +7.5 and +7. The total went from 54.5 to 55.5, then down to 54, though ticket count is 3/1 and money 6/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 11 A.M. ET SATURDAY: PointsBet USA opened BYU at -8, quickly dipped to -6.5, then went to -7.5, all by lunch hour back on Dec. 6. The line then toggled between -7 and -6.5 the past week and a half, and it’s now -6.5. The Cougars are attracting 81% of tickets, but just 58% of cash on the spread. There’s been little movement on the total, from 54.5 to 55 on Monday. Ticket count is 2/1 on the Over, while money is 3/1 on the Under.

UPDATE 9 P.M. ET FRIDAY: BYU went from -6.5 to -7.5 early on at WynnBet, then backed up and spent several days at the opening number. On Monday, the Cougars got to -7, and they’re currently -7 (-105). Ticket count is nearly 9/1 BYU, but money isn’t nearly as lopsided, just beyond 2/1 BYU. The total opened at 54.5 and on Monday got to 55, where it sits tonight. Ticket count is 3/1 and money 2/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: It’s a battle of three-letter schools in Shreveport, La. BYU (10-2 SU, 5-7 ATS) won its last five games, but covered only twice and in fact ended the season in a 2-5 ATS funk. In the Nov. 27 regular-season finale at USC, the Cougars won 35-31 giving 8 points.

Alabama-Birmingham (8-4 SU, 8-3-1 ATS) won three of its last four outings (3-0-1 ATS). The Blazers finished with a 42-25 victory as 14-point home favorites against UTEP.

BYU is down to -7 in TwinSpires’ college football bowl odds market. The Cougars are garnering 74% of bets/56% of cash on the spread.

“Sharp play on UAB +8 and +7.5,” Lucas said.

The total is steady at 54.5, with 63% of bets/53% of money on the Over.

LendingTree Bowl

Eastern Michigan vs Liberty

Opening line: Liberty -8, Over/Under 57

UPDATE 4:45 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Liberty opened -8 at DraftKings and spent most of the past two weeks at -8.5. The Flames twice reached -10, on Friday afternoon and earlier this afternoon, but just backed up to -9.5. Despite the mostly upward move, Liberty is landing just 51% of bets, and 58% of money is actually on Eastern Michigan. The total opened at 57, peaked at 59.5 last week, dipped to 57.5 earlier today and is now 58. The Over is collecting 61% of bets/69% of money.

UPDATE 9 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Liberty has been a 9.5-point chalk at WynnBet since Monday, up 1.5 points from the -8 opener Dec. 5. The Flames are attracting 57% of spread bets, while the underdog Eagles are drawing 75% of spread cash. The total opened at 57, peaked at 59 a week ago and got back to 57 this afternoon. Betting splits are nearly polar opposite: 85% of tickets on the Over, 88% of cash on the Under.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Liberty (7-5 SU, 6-6 ATS) had a middling season yet is approaching double-digit chalk status in this game (now at -9.5). And that’s despite the Flames dumping their last three games, including two from the favorite’s role. In the Nov. 27 regular-season final, Liberty lost to Army 31-16 laying 3 points at home.

Eastern Michigan (7-5 SU, 5-7 ATS) also slumped down the stretch, dropping two of its last three. The Eagles wrapped up with a 31-10 setback as 7.5-point pups at Central Michigan on Nov. 26.

Liberty is taking 60% of spread tickets and 77% of spread dollars at TwinSpires.

“Liability is creeping up on Liberty,” Lucas said, noting that on the moneyline, tickets are 7/1 and money 10/1 on the Flames. “Eastern Michigan outright would be a great decision for us.”

The total rose from 57 to 58.5, with 66% of tickets/62% of cash on the Over.

New Mexico Bowl

UTEP vs Fresno State

Opening line: Fresno State -13.5, Over/Under 51

UPDATE 11 A.M. ET SATURDAY: Fresno State hit PointsBet USA’s odds board as a 13.5-point chalk almost two weeks ago and bottomed out at -10.5 Dec. 7. By Dec. 11, the Bulldogs climbed back to -11.5, and the line hasn’t moved since then. Texas-El Paso is landing 54% of spread bets and 74% of spread money. The total opened at 52, hit bottom at 49.5 Dec. 9 and has since climbed to 52.5, moving up a full point this morning. Updated betting splits weren’t available.

UPDATE 9 P.M. ET FRIDAY: WynnBet dropped Fresno State from -13.5 to -10.5 early last week, then got back to -11.5 last Saturday. The line remains Bulldogs -11.5, with tickets and money just shy of 2/1 on the favorite. The total dropped from 52 to 49.5, then made its way back to 51.5 midweek, 82% of tickets and practically all the cash on the Over.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Fresno State (9-3 SU, 8-4 ATS) won five of its last six games (4-2 ATS), finishing with a 40-9 road rout of San Jose State giving 7 points Nov. 25. Texas-El Paso (7-5 SU and ATS) enters on skids of 1-4 SU/1-3 ATS. In their Nov. 26 finale, the Miners lost to Alabama-Birmingham 42-25 as 14-point pups.

Fresno State is down to -11.5 on two-way play at TwinSpires: 72% of tickets on the Bulldogs/56% of money on the Miners.

“Another Pros vs. Joes game,” Lucas said. “The public is all over Fresno, sharp play on UTEP.”

The total slipped to 50.5, with 56% of early tickets/54% of early cash on the Under.

Celebration Bowl

South Carolina State vs Jackson State

Opening line: Jackson State -11.5, Over/Under 41.5

UPDATE 11:15 A.M. ET SATURDAY: With kickoff approaching, TwinSpires Sportsbook is at Jackson State -10.5, from a -11.5 opener. The favorite is taking 70% of spread tickets and 59% of spread dollars.

“Sharp money on South Carolina State at +11.5 and +11,” TwinSpires trading analyst Zachary Lucas said.

The total climbed from 41.5 to 42.5, with tickets and money roughly 2/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: This Saturday matchup is the annual bowl game between the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Southwestern Athletic Conference champions. Those two conferences are home to historically black colleges and universities.

South Carolina State is 6-5 SU overall, but won the MEAC with a 5-0 record. Jackson State went a dominant 11-1 overall and 8-0 in the SWAC to win that title. Both teams are FCS outfits, so their games were rarely on sportsbooks’ betting boards.

Jackson State fell from -11.5 to -10.5 at TwinSpires, while netting 67% of bets/53% of money.

“Sharp money on South Carolina State +11.5 and +11,” Lucas said.

The total moved from 41.5 to 43.5, then fell back to 42.5 tonight. The Over is taking 69% of tickets/72% of money.

Boca Raton Bowl

Appalachian State vs Western Kentucky

Opening line: Appalachian State -2.5, Over/Under 67.5

UPDATE 10:45 A.M. ET SATURDAY: With kickoff approaching, Appalachian State just ticked down from -2.5 to -1.5 at PointsBetUSA, after opening -3. App State is taking 60% of spread tickets, while Western Kentucky is getting a slim majority 53% of spread dollars. The total opened at 67.5, peaked at 68 a couple of times, dipped to 66.5 and is now 67. Tickets are almost 2/1 on the Over, but money is 3/1 on the Under.

UPDATE 9 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Appalachian State opened -2.5 at DraftKings and spent most of the past two weeks at -3. Today, the Mountaineers slipped back to -2.5 (-115) and are netting 64% of bets/57% of money. The total opened at 67.5, peaked at 68 and bottomed out at 66.5, where it sits now. The Over is getting 71%/55% of money.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Appalachian State (10-3 SU, 8-5 ATS) saw its 6-0 run (5-1 ATS) end in the Sun Belt Conference title game. The Mountaineers traveled to Louisiana-Lafayette as 2.5-point faves and lost 24-16.

Similarly, Western Kentucky (8-5 SU, 9-4 ATS) had a 7-0 SU/6-1 ATS spree end in the Conference USA title tilt. The Hilltoppers lost 49-41 laying 3.5 points at Texas-San Antonio.

App State is up a tick to -3 at TwinSpires, while taking 59% of spread bets/71% of spread money. The total is up a notch to 68, with tickets 3/1 and money 5/1 on the Over.

“The Over is [our] biggest liability on this game,” Lucas said.

Bahamas Bowl

Middle Tennessee State vs Toledo

Opening line: Toledo -9, Over/Under 53

UPDATE 11:30 A.M. ET FRIDAY, DEC. 17: Shortly before kickoff, BetMGM has Toledo a 10.5-point favorite, up from a -9.5 opener. It’s all Rockets on the point spread, with ticket count 4/1 and money beyond 7/1. The total is down to 49.5 from a 53.5 opener, though 59% of tickets/66% of dollars are on the Over.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15: This game is arguably best known for ESPN’s Steve Levy, who in his Twitter bio notes he’s the unofficial official voice of the Bahamas Bowl. Alas, Levy’s tenure as this bowl’s play-by-play voice has ended. He’s just a little busy with Monday Night Football.

But we digress. Toledo (7-5 SU, 8-4 ATS) enters this on a 4-1 SU and ATS run. The Rockets capped that run with a 49-14 home rout of Akron as 28.5-point favorites Nov. 27. Middle Tennessee (6-6 SU and ATS) barely made it to .500 on the same day, closing the regular season with a Florida Atlantic 27-17 victory as a 3.5-point road chalk.

Toledo is up to -10.5 on TwinSpires’ college football bowl odds board. Ticket count is 2/1 and money almost 4/1 on the Rockets.

“A mix of public and sharp money on Toledo has pushed this line up. We’ll need the ‘dog for a sizable amount,” Lucas said.

The total is down to 50 from a 53 opener, with 55% of tickets on the Over/66% of money on the Under.

“Sharp money on the Under,” Lucas said.

Cure Bowl

Coastal Carolina vs Northern Illinois

Opening line: Coastal Carolina -9.5, Over/Under 63.5

UPDATE 6 P.M. ET FRIDAY, DEC. 17: As this game was about to kick off, DraftKings had Coastal Carolina up to -12.5, after opening -9.5 Dec. 5. But it’s two-way point-spread action, with 57% of tickets and money on the favored Chanticleers. The total opened at 63.5, dipped to 62.5 a couple of times, then rose today to 64. Tickets and money are 3/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15: If South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone were in charge of this game, well, we all know who the halftime entertainment would be. But again, we digress.

Coastal Carolina (10-2 SU, 6-6 ATS) won four of its last five SU, but was 1-4 ATS in those contests. In the regular-season finale, the Chanticleers were 14.5-point favorites at South Alabama and won 27-21 in overtime.

Northern Illinois went 8-2 SU/7-3 ATS in its last 10 outings, including a 41-23 neutral-site rout of Kent State in the Mid-American Conference title game. In that contest, the Huskies 3.5-point underdogs. And if you want some MACtion, well, you’re getting double digits in this Friday evening game in Orlando.

Coastal opened -9.5 and is up to -10.5 at TwinSpires, where 60% of tickets are on NIU and 65% of cash is on CCU.

“It’s Pros vs Joes. Sharp money on Coastal,” Lucas said.

The total is stable at 63.5, with 63% of tickets/58% of money on the Over.