Early NCAA Football Odds Weekend Bowls ATS Predictions

The 2015-16 College Football betting bowl season earnestly kicks off this Saturday, with five games opening what promises to be a wild two-week stretch filled with 40 games, which will be running from Saturday, December 19th to Saturday, January 2nd. Here is a brief online betting guide of the five games slated for this weekend, specifically focusing on how to wager in the ATS lines.

Our Expert Early NCAAF Betting Weekend Bowls ATS Predictions

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BYU vs. Utah, Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl

When: Saturday, December 19 at 11:30 PM AST NCAAF Odds: BYU (+2.5) Analysis: On any other given day, I would have easily gone with Utah for a solid win and cover here. But with Utah’s offensive breadwinner Devontae Booker sidelined from this game due to injury, and BYU’s QB Tanner Mangum entering this game enjoying the best form of his young career; I fancy the Cougars ending their season with a famous bowl upset bowl win over the #22 Utes. Pick: BYU (+2.5) rewards its bettors with a narrow win and cover over Utah.

Arizona vs. New Mexico, Gildan New Mexico Bowl

When: Saturday, December 19 at 10:00 PM AST NCAAF Odds: New Mexico (+10) Analysis: The biggest determiner about who will win or cover the spread here rests on the health of Arizona’s QB Anu Solomon, who is reportedly nursing a concussion and is questionable for Saturday. If Solomon is unavailable, New Mexico State will almost definitely use its stellar triple attack game (scoring 246.5 rushing yards per game) to terrorize Arizona (who allowed 200+ rushing yards in each of their last four contests). A banged up Solomon also means Arizona’s offense won’t be having it all smooth. All that being noted; Arizona has too many weapons on both ends of the field, which could easily lead to a big win for the Wildcats, especially if New Mexico approaches this game with the underdog mentality. Pick: New Mexico (+10) takes advantage of playing “at home” in New Mexico and uses its solid running game to cover the spread in a spirited performance.

Ohio vs. Appalachian State, Raycom Media Camellia Bowl

When: Saturday, December 19 at 1:30 AM AST NCAAF Odds: Appalachian State (-7.5) Analysis: Despite their up-and-down year, the Bobcats managed to finish their regular season on a three-game winning streak, with the majority of wins coming due to their solid defense. The NCAAF odds, however, don’t look to be in their favor, as they’ll be going against the explosive offensive tandem of QB Taylor Lamb (over 2,200 passing yards and 29 TDs against eight picks this season, plus 350 yards and four running TDs) and RB back Marcus Cox (1,261 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns), so they’ll need more than defense to stop the Mountaineers. And knowing how Ohio’s QBs Derrius Vick and J.D. Sprague have struggled to find offensive rhythm, the Mountaineers look most probable to win and cover the spread in this contest. Pick: Appalachian State (-7.5) wins and covers the spread.

San José State vs. Georgia State, Cure Bowl Predictions

When: Saturday, December 19 at 3:00 AM AST NCAAF Odds: San Jose (-3) Analysis: Led by senior quarterback Nick Arbuckle, who finished sixth in the nation in passing yards per game (346.7) and tallied 26 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, and a surging defense that gave up just 14.3 points per game in the team’s season-ending four-game winning streak; the Panthers (6-6, 5-3 Sun Belt) definitely deserve their place in the bowl games. The same cannot be said for the Spartans (5-7, 4-4 Mountain West) who lost three of their last four games and just about managed to squeak their way into the bowls. Even so, San Jose also has a solid quarterback in Kenny Potter, who ranked second in the Mountain West in passing yards per game (232.8) and passer rating (143.18), supported by a little speedster in RB Tyler Ervin (listed at 5-10, 177), who ranked 11th in the country in both rushing yards (1,469) and carries (264), with 13 rushing touchdowns to his name. This game could therefore go either way, and for that reason, taking the safe points from the Panthers looks to be the best option. Pick: Georgia State (+3) keeps the game close to at least cover the spread, if not deliver an outright upset win over the Spartans altogether.

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

When: Saturday, December 19, 5:00 AM AST NCAAF Odds: Louisiana Tech (-2) Analysis: Despite losing three non-conference games, the Arkansas State Red Wolves (9-3) finished with a perfect 8-0 record in the Sun Belt conference, something that is likely to motivate them for a big performance against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8-4, 6-2 C-USA) this Saturday. That, however, doesn’t mean that the Bulldogs will cower away from their streaking opponents. For starters, Louisiana Tech’s complementary trio of QB Jeff Driskel, senior running back Kenneth Dixon (96.8 rushing yards per contest with 17 TDs) and junior wideout Trent Taylor (1,133 receiving yards with eight scores) are capable of going toe to toe with Arkansas State’s QB Fredi Knighte and his running back trio of Michael Gordon (1,055 rushing yards) Warren Ward (643) and Johnston White (573), who’ve combined for 27 scores this season. A close encounter therefore looks to be in the books, and considering the Red Wolves starting DE Chris Stone and backup WR Tyler Trosin were both arrested on drug charges last Tuesday, the odds look to be in slight favor of the healthy Louisiana Tech team. Pick: Arkansas State keeps the game close, but Louisiana Tech (-2) manages to run away with the game eventually for a win that will be good enough for both the SU and ATS.