The college football regular season has concluded, and the expanded 12-team playoff format has finalized the bracket. This week, the odds and lines are very close, as the Bowl games always add an extra level of excitement to the already exhilarating world of college football. The most notable absence from the bracket is Alabama, which finished just outside the playoffs thanks to a late push from SMU.
To make your free picks using the NCAA football odds, you will need to visit Sportzino. Sportzino has the best NCAAF odds for the entire college football playoffs, featuring can’t miss college football point spreads. Before you make your picks and predictions, make sure you carefully evaluate the expert picks and predictions using the most up-to-date NCAA football lines.
| Matchup | Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
| Jackson State at South Carolina State | South Carolina State (-3) | JS +120/SCS -145 | 53 |
| California at UNLV | California (-1.5) | CAL -125/UNLV +100 | 50.5 |
| Tulane at Florida | Florida (-14) | TUL +350/FLO -450 | 49.5 |
| Indiana at Notre Dame | Notre Dame (-7.5) | IND +230/ND -300 | 51.5 |
| SMU at Penn State | Penn State (-8.5) | SMU +245/PS -325 | 54 |
| Clemson at Texas | Texas (-11) | CLE +310/TEX -400 | 51.5 |
| Tennessee at Ohio State | Ohio State (-7.5) | TEN +210/OS -290 | 47 |
| Pittsburgh at Toledo | Pittsburgh (-7.5) | PITT -280/TOL +200 | 51.5 |
| Georgia Tech at Vanderbilt | Georgia Tech (-2.5) | GT -140/VAN +105 | 51.5 |
College Football Bowl Games Odds Analysis
(#8) Indiana vs (#5) Notre Dame
- Spread: Indiana +7.5, Notre Dame -7.5
- Moneyline: Indiana +230, Notre Dame -300
- Over/Under: 51.5 Points
- Time: Friday, December 20th, 8:00 PM EST
Indiana had one of the best seasons in the nation, as they had slim odds of qualifying for the college football playoff. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke has thrown for nearly 3,000 passing yards this season, but the Indiana rushing attack has allowed them to make it this far. The running back duo Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton have been incredible, and they will look to grind out a victory against Notre Dame. While the Cinderella story for Indiana has been a fun one to watch, it will all come crashing down against Notre Dame.
According to the NCAA football odds all season long, Notre Dame has been one of the favorites to win the championship. Indiana will have been proud of their progress, but a demolition at the hands of Notre Dame is on tap. They have won 10 games in a row, with the last seven coming by two or more touchdowns. Notre Dame is relentless on defense and clinical on offense, and it will remind Indiana that they still have a long way to go until they are on the level of the mighty Fighting Irish. Quarterback Riley Leonard will throw multiple touchdowns for Notre Dame, and their defense will hound Rourke all game long. This one will be over as a contest in the first half, as Notre Dame cruises to a 20+ point victory to punch their ticket into the quarterfinals.
Pick: Notre Dame (-7.5) -110
(#7) Tennessee vs (#6) Ohio State
- Spread: Tennessee +7.5, Ohio State -7.5
- Moneyline: Tennessee +210 Ohio State -290
- Over/Under: 47 Points
- Time: Saturday, December 21st, 8:00 PM EST
The college football matchup between Tennessee and Ohio State may not have the closest college football odds, but this is undoubtedly the highlight of the first round of the college football playoffs. Both of these teams are considered to have legitimate chances at winning the entire college football championship, but only one can punch their ticket into the next round.
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has had a great season for the Volunteers and will be hoping this is not his final game of the season. Ohio State has a strong defense, but they can struggle at shutting down big shots over the top of the field. Their pass rush is strong, but Iamaleava does a great job getting his legs involved to avoid taking sacks.
Ohio State has a strong quarterback of their own in Will Howard, who will struggle to navigate a stingy Tennessee defense. Ohio State has been able to pile on the points all season long, but this is their toughest defensive test of the season. The Tennessee defense will need to step up if they hope to defy the college football odds. Even if Tennessee is unable to win outright, this +7.5 point spread is simply too good to pass up. Ohio State has the potential to blow teams out, but a strong Tennessee defense will keep this one tight right down to the final possession.
Pick: Tennessee (+7.5) -120
College Football Bowl Games Odds FAQ
When do the College Football Bowl Games begin?
The week 16 college football games begin on Saturday, December 14th, at 12:00 PM EST and run all the way until January 20th, 2025. The first Bowl game is the Celebration Bowl, which occurs between South Carolina State and Jackson State at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The bowl games featuring eliminated teams will gather plenty of attention, but they will be sent to the back burner when all eyes are tuned in to the four Bowl games that are part of the new college football playoff. The Bowl games that have an impact on the playoffs begin on Friday, December 20th at 8:00 PM EST when #5 Indiana and #8 Notre Dame fight for a spot in the quarterfinals.
What is the Best Game on this Week?
The annual Bowl season brings out the best college football games of the year, and the expanded playoff format means there is even more to play for this week. All four Bowl games between teams still in the playoffs have a legitimate chance of being the best game on this week, but one stands out among the rest. Ohio State #6 hosts Tennessee #7 on Saturday, December 21st at 8 PM EST. Both of these teams have legitimate shots at taking home the college football championship, but only one can punch their ticket to the quarterfinals. One of these mammoth football schools will get sent home early as it is all to play for on Saturday night.
