Top Picks For First Round Of College Football Bowl Games

The college football regular season may be in the books for another year, but we still have a last hurrah to look forward to before we completely close the book on this season. There is a total of 40 bowl games to look forward to between now and the New Year, and it all gets rolling this coming Saturday, December 17, with 5 different bowl games to choose from. It’s the perfect day to get on the couch in front of the TV and wager on some games before we get to the bigger bowls later in the month. Let’s take a quick look at what’s on tap, and make some predictions as we go.

Analyzing The Top Picks For First Round Of College Football Bowl Games

   

Gildan New Mexico Bowl – New Mexico Lobos Vs Teas San Antonio Roadrunners

Not exactly the most glamorous start to bowl season, but it often ends up being these lesser bowl games that are the most entertaining. New Mexico Lobos went 8-4 on the season, and are coming in as a 7-point favorite. I think they cover that spread with a double-digit win.

Las Vegas Bowl – Houston Cougars Vs San Diego State Aztecs

This has all the makings of a really good game, as both of these teams spent some time in the top 25 during the course of the regular season. Houston finished 9-3 on the year, while the Aztecs went 10-3. Both teams averaged over 35 PPG, so don’t be surprised to see this one turn into a shootout. The Cougars come in as a 3.5-point favorite, and I think they will do just enough to cover that spread.

AutoNation Cure Bowl – Arkansas State Red Wolves Vs UCF Knights

How a team finished the season is often an indicator of how they will perform in their bowl game. If that is indeed the case, then UCF may be in a spot of bother here, as they finished the season with back to back losses. Arkansas State finished strong, and ca end up with a winning record if they can pick up the win here. I like the Red Wolves in the upset here, with UCF coming in as a 5.5-point favorite.

Raycon Media Camellia Bowl – Appalachian State Mountaineers Vs Toledo Rockets

It seems like a lifetime ago since the Mountaineers put the fear of God into the Tennessee Volunteers in Week 1 of the college football season. Appalachian State went on to have an impressive 9-3 season, which is the exact same record as the Toledo Rockets, who they will be facing this coming Saturday. This is essentially a coin flip, with the Rockets in as a slight 1.5-point favorite. The Rockets are 2-0 ATS in their last two bowl games, so give them the edge.

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl – Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles Vs ULL Ragin Cajuns

The final game on Saturday features a pair of teams coming in with 6-6 records. The Golden Eagles have been bowl regulars over the years, going 6-7 ATS since 1992. The Ragin Cajuns only have 4 bowl appearances during that same stretch, but are a perfect 4-0 ATS. Southern Miss are a 4-point favorite, but I am taking ULL to cover.