Ricky Dimon
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Following a quartet of games on both Tuesday and Wednesday, college football season continues with 3 on Thursday. It includes an all-ranked showdown between #12 Washington and #20 Texas, while Florida State, Oklahoma, Syracuse and Minnesota are also in action. Here is Thursday’s bowl-game mega parlay.
Syracuse +10 (-110)
Florida State -13.5 alternate spread (+134)
Washington ML (+136)
Parlay odds: +954
For this parlay we are going with 1 underdog on the money line, 1 underdog against the spread and a favorite against an alternate spread. Let’s break down each of the 3 legs.
Syracuse +10 over Minnesota (-110)
Ten points are a lot in what could be and should be a defensive struggle, so I will happily take them with Syracuse in the Pinstripe Bowl. Minnesota ranks outside the FBS top 110 in passing yards per game at just 185.9 and regular starting quarterback Tanner Morgan is questionable after missing the last 3 games of the regular season due to injury. Syracuse is giving up a modest 22.7 points per game, so it should be able to stay competitive. The Orange are surely going to keep the ball on the ground and run behind a stout offensive line, thus letting the clock run. Syracuse may not win outright, but a cover should be in the cards.
Be sure to check out our full Syracuse vs Minnesota predictions
Florida State -13.5 alternate spread over Oklahoma (+134)
A Florida State vs Oklahoma matchup is a classic blueblood battle, but on paper it isn’t particularly great this season. That is mostly due to Oklahoma, which is saddled with a .500 record (6-6) heading into the Cheez-It Bowl. Former head coach Lincoln Riley led the Sooners to 11 winners last season, but new boss Brett Venables has been unable to sustain such momentum. Perhaps the longtime Clemson defensive coordinator is better in that role than as a head coach, but in fairness to him the player personnel in Norman, Okla. wasn’t as strong in 2022 as it was in 2021 (highlighted by eventual Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams’ transfer to USC).
Adding insult to injury, this is basically a road game for Oklahoma in Orlando, Fla. The Seminoles will feel right at home for this bowl game and look poised to cap off a respectable year in style. Defensive end Jared Verse and safety Jammie Robinson are sticking around for the cheese-fest and running back Trey Benson should be able to carve up an Oklahoma run defense that is surrendering 189 rushing yards per game. Look for the ‘Noles to win big.
Be sure to check out our full Oklahoma vs Florida State predictions
Washington ML over Texas (+136)
Texas is – what’s new?!?! — coming off a disappointing regular season. The Longhorns’ 8-4 record is not terrible by their recent standards, but preseason expectations were such that they wanted more. There was no Big 12 Championship appearance and certainly no College Football Playoff bid. Instead, the ‘Horns are headed to the Alamo Bowl for a date with Washington. For these postseason festivities, UT will be without 2nd-leading rusher Roschon Johnson and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who recorded 96 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks during the 2022 campaign.
The Huskies, on the other hand, will be at full strength. That most notably includes quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who has already announced that he will return for the 2023 season. Led by Penix, Washington’s offense ranks 2nd in EPA per pass and 3rd in passing success rate – which could be a problem for a Texas defense whose weakness is in the passing department. Don’t be surprised if the Huskies win this one outright.
Be sure to check out all of our college football bowl game predictions
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