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Writer's pictureJake Faigus

College Football Playoff and bowl betting - first look


Credit: Georgia Athletics

College Football Playoff and New Year’s Six game lines are already here in College Football and it’s time to look at the early lines for the notable games this week.


All early lines are presented by Betfred Sportsbook - remember, first-time users can bet $50 on any game, and get $250 in free bets, courtesy of Betfred.


Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 TCU vs No. 2 Michigan (-9) - Saturday, December 31st, 4:00 p.m. ET


This game might get groans from a few people, but it has a lot of potential. Max Duggan is the key for the Horned Frogs, especially against this Michigan defense that’s been very good all year. Quentin Johnston also might be the best wide receiver in the country. The TCU defense is in for a potentially long game here if they can’t stop a Wolverine offense that’s found an extra gear recently. Michigan won’t have Blake Corum, but Donovan Edwards has proven to be a capable running back in his place. This matchup is all about which teams’ style will win out.


Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 TCU vs No. 2 Michigan (-9) - Saturday, December 31st, 4:30 p.m. ET


This game might get groans from a few people, but it has a lot of potential. Max Duggan is the key for the Horned Frogs, especially against this Michigan defense that’s been very good all year. Quentin Johnston also might be the best wide receiver in the country. The TCU defense is in for a potentially long game here if they can’t stop a Wolverine offense that’s found an extra gear recently. Michigan won’t have Blake Corum, but Donovan Edwards has proven to be a capable running back in his place. This matchup is all about which teams’ style will win out.



Peach Bowl: No. 4 Ohio State vs No. 1 Georgia (-6.5) - Saturday, December 31st, 8:00 p.m. ET


This game has potential to be the best bowl game of any of them. Ohio State has a ton of talent, but the question remains on if they can put it all together in a big game under Ryan Day. They have a Heisman finalist in CJ Stroud at quarterback and a great receiving corps, led by Marvin Harrison Jr. as the primary option. The Ohio State defense needs to be better because they were gashed the last time, we saw them against Michigan. Georgia is easily the top team in the country and have been very dominant on defense and explosive on offense with each unit having a leader in Jalen Carter and Stetson Bennett. This game has a ton of potential and the talent on the field will be more than any game this season.


Orange Bowl: No. 6 Tennessee vs No. 7 Clemson (-6) - Friday, December 30th, 8:00 p.m. ET


This should be a fun Orange Bowl, especially with Cade Klubnik taking over the reins at quarterback for Clemson. He looked great for the Tigers in the ACC Championship game. Joe Milton replaces an injured Hendon Hooker, but he’s played well in spurts for Tennessee and looked good recently against Vanderbilt. The Tennessee and Clemson running games have both been very good too. The difference might if the Vols defense can step up because we know what the Clemson defense can do. This Orange Bowl should be a lot of fun as well as very orange.


Sugar Bowl: No. 5 Alabama (-5.5) vs No. 9 Kansas State - Saturday, December 31st, 12:00 p.m. ET


The biggest question with this game will be about motivation. Is Alabama going to care about playing in this game after missing out on the Playoff? There is no question that Kansas State will be motivated after winning the Big 12. Alabama easily has the best players in this game with Bryce Young at quarterback and Will Anderson on defense being the standouts. Kansas State has Will Howard, who’s emerged as a very good quarterback, and they have Deuce Vaughn with him in the backfield too. The Sugar Bowl is always a massive bowl game, but it’s fair to question if the Crimson Tide even want to be there, and it’s going to be the biggest storyline heading into this game.


Cotton Bowl: No. 16 Tulane vs. No. 10 USC (-2.5) - Monday, January 2nd, 1:00 p.m. ET


This is another game where motivation plays a factor. USC was on the verge of the College Football Playoff before an epic collapse against Utah, so now the question remains on if they even want to be in the Cotton Bowl. Tulane has looked great this year and will be ecstatic to be in this game as a Group of Five team having the chance to prove themselves on a big stage. The main thing in this game will be about offense. USC has the Heisman Trophy winner on their roster in Caleb Williams, and while he was injured against Utah, he should be ready to go for this game, given that he’ll have extra time to heal. Tulane, on the other side, has a great quarterback and running back combo in Michael Pratt and Tyjae Spears. This bowl game should be fun because we should expect a ton of points for both teams here.


Rose Bowl: No. 11 Penn State vs No. 8 Utah (-2.5) - Monday, January 2nd, 5:00 p.m. ET


This is the granddaddy of them all and is the best bowl game outside of the College Football Playoff this year. Penn State and Utah are very similar this year, they are built around a very good defense and an efficient offense. Penn State’s offense will be led by Nic Singleton at running back, while questions remain for the Nittany Lions at quarterback with Sean Clifford. Utah’s offense is led by Cam Rising at quarterback and Dalton Kincaid at tight end. This should be a very entertaining game in the Rose Bowl to close out the biggest Bowl games of the year.


Follow Jake on Twitter - @Jake_Faigus




\Also, make sure to check out Betfred Sportsbook - first time bettors can bet $50 on any game and get $250 in free bets, courtesy of Betfred!



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