The bowl season is always a riveting time of year for college football fans, and the 2025 edition of the college football playoffs promises to be an action-packed tournament. There are dozens of Bowl games scheduled over the next few weeks, giving us plenty to choose from for our college football predictions. While only 12 teams will have the chance to win the National Championship, winning the final game of the season can have a big impact on the future of these football programs. Now that the matchups and college football odds have been set for the Bowl games, it is time to dissect a trio of matchups that will garner plenty of attention.
NCAA Bowl Odds Analysis and Predictions
(#18) Michigan vs (#13) Texas
- Spread: Michigan +7.5, Texas -7.5
- Moneyline: Michigan +205, Texas -325
- Over/Under: 46.5 Points
- Time: Wednesday, December 31st, 3:00 PM EST
Texas will be incredibly disappointed about missing the college football playoffs, but they can still finish off their season with a win over Michigan. Arch Manning has been excellent in clutch moments this season, and there is no reason he won’t have another big game when the Longhorns face off against Michigan. Manning has the speed neither of his uncles, Peyton and Eli, had, and his incredible arm accuracy has made him the best college football quarterback on the planet. He got off to a slow start, but still finished with 24 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions this season. That includes 9 touchdowns and 1 interception in his final four games, as the Longhorns’ offense was firing on all cylinders to close out the year.
For Michigan, they will look to run the football, drain the clock, and tire out the Texas defense. Michigan doesn’t have the same high-caliber offense as Texas, but they will still feel as though their defensive rigidity could be enough to get them over the line. I disagree. Texas is a well-built team on both sides of the ball, and there is no reason they won’t just win, but cover the spread, too. The college football odds have Texas as a touchdown favorite over Michigan, but they will go on to win by double digits to close out 2025.
Pick: Texas Longhorns (-7.5) -110
(#9) Alabama at (#8) Oklahoma
- Spread: Alabama -1.5, Oklahoma +1.5
- Moneyline: Alabama -125, Oklahoma -115
- Over/Under: 40.5 Points
- Time: Friday, December 19th, 8:00 PM EST
This is the closest matchup in the first round of the college football playoffs, as both teams have been excellent on the defensive side of the ball. The 40.5 total emphasizes the field-position, run-heavy battle expected on Friday night, as the oddsmakers don’t expect many points for either side.
These two teams faced off in Alabama one month ago, with Oklahoma pulling off the 23-21 upset. While that matchup ticked over the total, there were only three points scored in the final quarter and a half thanks to incredible defensive play. Alabama was able to bend and not break, while Oklahoma got the crucial stops they needed, including a last-gasp fourth-down stop.
This matchup will be another low-scoring affair, and while fading Alabama in the college football playoffs is often a bad move, the Crimson Tide isn’t the same team they once were. The physicality and winning culture are still there, but Oklahoma is better and deeper in several crucial positions. John Mateer has had better seasons, but the Sooners don’t need him to play like a Heisman candidate thanks to a strong run game. Tory Blayock and Xavier Robinson both eclipsed 400 yards on the ground this season, and the duo is primed for a big role against Alabama. It will be another close one, but with Oklahoma as a home underdog on the NCAAF odds, they are the clear college football prediction to make.
Pick: Oklahoma Sooners Moneyline -115
(#12) James Madison Dukes at (#5) Oregon Ducks
- Spread: James Madison +21.5, Oregon -21.5
- Moneyline: James Madison +800
- Over/Under: 48.5 Points
- Time: Saturday, December 20th, 7:30 PM EST
It is a real shame that a team like James Madison is in the college football playoffs while Texas, Notre Dame, and BYU have to settle for Bowl games. No disrespect to James Madison and their 12-1 record, but the reality is that this will be a very one-sided matchup. James Madison didn’t face a ranked team this season, and is only in the college football playoffs thanks to their win over Troy in the Sun Belt Championship game two weeks ago. Their defense is weak, their offense is inconsistent, and they will struggle to get anything going against the mighty Ducks.
Oregon has been unable to turn their regular-season success into tangible results, but they will get one step closer to the National Championship when they beat James Madison. The Ducks have already secured wins over #23 Iowa and #16 USC this season, with their only defeat of the year coming against the top-ranked Indiana.
Dante Moore is the leader of this team, and he will have a great game in the pocket for Oregon. His 24 touchdowns to 6 interceptions is a fantastic ratio, while his 2,733 passing yards are a true testament to his willingness to drive the ball down the field. Oregon has a strong run game led by Noah Whittington, which forces defenses to load up the tackle box. James Madison will have to respect the run game of Oregon, but that will open up passing opportunities down the field. This is a massive spread to cover, but Oregon will be clinical on offense, and James Madison doesn’t have much experience playing from behind this season. When they find themselves in that unfamiliar position, they will collapse and allow Oregon to win and cover.
Pick: Oregon (-21.5) -115
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