Ricky Dimon
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College football bowl season is here. Sure we still have a while to go before the College Football Playoff and the rest of the New Year’s Six games take center stage, but this weekend can whet your appetite for bigger and better things to come. We have a total of 8 bowl games spanning Friday and Saturday, with Saturday offering an especially sizable slate.
With that, it’s time to deliver our first mega parlay of bowl season.
Western Kentucky ML (+120)
Utah State ML (+240)
Louisiana ML (-200)
Parlay odds: +1022
For this parlay we are going with a pair of underdogs on the money line and one favorite also on the money line. Let’s break down each of the 3 legs one by one.
Boca Raton Bowl: Western Kentucky ML over Appalachian State (+120)
Western Kentucky was dominant down the stretch in the regular season, only to fall short thanks to some untimely mistakes against UTSA in the Conference USA title game. On the other side, Appalachian State was kept at bay in a loss to Louisiana in the Sun Belt Conference Championship. This should be a good one between two similar teams, so there is value on Western Kentucky at +120 to win straight up. Led by QB Bailey Zappe, the Hilltoppers boast arguably the best passing attack in the nation. Zappe needs to throw for 288 yards in his final game to break the all-time NCAA passing yards record (and 5 touchdowns to break that record, too). WKU has scored at least 41 points in 8 of its last 9 games. App State’s offense is much more hit-or-miss. If the Mountaineers fall behind early and Chase Brice is forced to consistently make pressure-packed throws, their chances of winning will take a considerable hit.
Check out our full game preview for Western Kentucky vs Appalachian State
Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl: Utah State Aggies ML over Oregon State Beavers (+240)
Utah State heads into this one fresh off winning the Mountain West Conference title in head coach Blake Anderson’s first season at the helm. Paced by QB Logan Bonner, the Aggies feature an explosive offense capable of scoring at any moment thanks to their lethal downfield passing attack that averages 306 passing yards per game. Against an Oregon State defense that can be carved up through the air, the Aggies could certainly pull off the upset. This is a matchup in which both teams should have success doing what they do best (which for Oregon State is running the football and sustaining long drives). It’s hard to see the Beavers’ style resulting in a blowout, and if the Aggies can keep it close into the late stages there is no reason why Bonner can’t come up clutch for a win.
Check out our full game preview for Utah State vs Oregon State
New Orleans Bowl: Louisiana ML over Marshall (-200)
After taking the head coaching job at Florida, Billy Napier stayed in Lafayette to lead Louisiana to a Sun Belt Conference Championship with a win over App State. Napier will not be on the sidelines for the New Orleans Bowl against Marshall, but the Ragin’ Cajuns have a veteran team that should be able to put together another strong performance. Louisiana has a ton of momentum even if its former coach is gone, winning a school-record 12 games in a row. Senior QB Levi Lewis leads the way, and he has a ton of experience under his belt. Lewis is 34-7 as the starter and this will be his final game. Needless to say, he will be ready to roll. Marshall, on the other hand, has lost 2 of its last 3 contests. It’s also worth noting that the Cajuns went 7-0 at home this season and this is basically a home game for them in New Orleans.
Check out all of our current college football bowl game picks
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