Betting guide to bowl season

We'll continue to add more games and information as the kickoff dates for future bowls approach.

Bowl season is here! With playoff expansion and constant player and coach movement diminishing the importance of bowl games, this year could see more absences than ever before. Still, plenty of prominent players are eager to compete for pride and showcase their talents.

Keeping track of who's in and who's out is more challenging than ever before. That's what we're here for. Over the next three weeks, we'll provide the necessary information for most of the relevant bowl games, including injuries, opt-outs, spread insights, and more.

In addition to the playoff games (which we'll cover in separate previews), there are 35 bowl matchups this season. We'll provide key betting info for at least 25 of them, so check back here throughout for all the information you need!

👉 Find the entire bowl schedule and odds on theScore bet here

Saturday, Dec. 13

LA Bowl (Los Angeles)

Game time: 8 p.m. ET

What to know:

• Boise State finished 9-4 with losses to South Florida, Notre Dame, Fresno State, and San Diego State after making the College Football Playoff in 2024.
• The Huskies finished 8-4 in a difficult Big Ten conference, but their losses were mostly respectable: vs. Ohio State, at Michigan, at Wisconsin, and vs. Oregon.
• Washington is a lopsided favorite due to its talent advantage and more difficult schedule.
• Huskies coach Jedd Fisch said his roster has no opt-outs and stressed that his team is there to win.
• Most of Boise State's roster is playing, but it does have two notable opt-outs: left tackle Kage Casey and safety Ty Benefield
• Over 77% of the money and 60% of the bets are on Washington to cover.
• Fun fact: this is the final year of the LA Bowl, which is played at SoFi Stadium.

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Cure Bowl (Orlando)

Game time: 5 p.m.

What to know:

• USF opened as a 7.5-point favorite.
• Both teams will play without their starting quarterbacks, who opted out of the bowl game.
• Gaston Moore, a Tennessee transfer, will start for USF. He's thrown 20 passes for 54 yards this season.
• Quinn Henicle will start for Old Dominion. He rushed for over 200 yards in his lone start last campaign.
• USF head coach Alex Golesh accepted the head coaching job at Auburn, so he, along with offensive coordinator Joel Gordon, will not be with the Bulls for the game. USF hasn't announced who will call plays on offense.
• Brian Hartline will take over for the Bulls next season, but he won't coach the bowl game, leaving interim duties to defensive line coach Kevin Patrick.
• Expect more opt-outs from USF in the coming days.

Friday, Dec. 19

Gasparilla Bowl (Tampa)

Game time: 2:30 p.m.

What to know:

• Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield won't coach in the bowl game because he left for Arkansas. Defensive back coach Reggie Howard will serve as the interim.
• The Tigers are dealing with key injuries to cornerbacks and an offensive lineman, and they're likely to have more opt-outs coming.
• NC State is expected to have key defensive personnel opt out.

CFP - First round

Game time: 8 p.m.

What to know:

• Alabama opened as a 1.5-point favorite
• Full betting preview coming Dec. 18

Saturday, Dec. 20

CFP - First round

Game time: 12 p.m.

What to know:

• Texas A&M opened as a 3.5-point favorite
• Full betting preview coming Dec. 18

CFP - First round

Game time: 3:30 p.m.

What to know:

• Ole Miss opened as a 16.5-point favorite
• Lane Kiffin won't be coaching Ole Miss after leaving for LSU.
• Full betting preview coming Dec. 18

CFP - First round

Game time: 7:30 p.m.

What to know:

• Oregon opened as a 20.5-point favorite
• Full betting preview coming Dec. 18

Monday, Dec. 22

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Idaho)

Game time: 2 p.m.

What to know:

• Washington State head coach Jimmy Rogers accepted the same position at Iowa State and won't coach the Cougars in the bowl game.
• A couple of key Washington State defensive players have already entered the transfer portal. More opt-outs for the Cougars are expected as the game nears, making Utah State a big favorite. Check back for updates.
• Braden Pagen, Utah State's leading receiver, entered the portal.