The most important bowl games are scheduled for this weekend. The New Year’s Six Bowl games, which include the semifinals, both take place this Saturday on New Year’s Eve. TheSportsGeek is examining the best college football over under bets for the New Year’s Six bowl games.
This is our final college football over under blog series for the 2022 season. It feels like that the college football season was just kicking off yesterday. Instead, we are only two games away from the College Football Playoff National Championship.
What a beauty 🤩
The road to the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship begins Saturday with the Playoff Semifinals 👏
(via @outfrontmediaus and @espncfb) #CFBPlayoff #NationalChampionship 🏈🏆 pic.twitter.com/SBJZiLxKuL
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) December 28, 2022
via@CFBPlayoff
The Ohio State Buckeyes, TCU Horned Frogs, Michigan Wolverines, and Georgia Bulldogs are the last four remaining teams for the college football championship. The Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl are two games that make up for the New Year’s Six games.
The Rose Bowl Game, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Cotton Bowl are also part of the New Year’s Six series of bowl games. We have our top-3 college football over under picks for these bowls. Note that because New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday, there are New Year’s Six bowls on Monday.
There are no college football games on Sunday. The NFL assumes their normal schedule this week on Sunday following a Week 16 that mostly took place on Saturday. The semifinal games for the College Football Playoff are on New Year’s Eve.
There have been some lousy bowl games this year. A lot of games have been difficult to get through without falling asleep. The New Year’s Six slate of bowl games is looking up, though.
If you are looking for college football overs and unders this weekend, we have you covered one last time this season. Head below for our best college football over under bets for New Year’s Six bowl games.
Visit our Top College Football Betting Sites page for the best New Year’s Six online sportsbooks.
College Football Over Under New Year’s Six Bowls
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Clemson Tigers Predictions:
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Volunteers | +5.5 (-110) | +175 | Over 63.5 (-110) |
| Clemson Tigers | -5.5 (-110) | -210 | Under 63.5 (-110) |
In what should be the best non-playoff matchup, the Tennessee Volunteers and Clemson Tigers meet in the Orange Bowl on Friday night. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EST at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Tennesee had their eyes on the College Football Playoff after starting off a perfect 8-0. That included a memorable win over Alabama on October 15, 52-49. They lost at Georgia a few weeks later, 27-13, and then a 63-38 loss to South Carolina sealed their fate.
If the Volunteers beat South Carolina, there could have been an argument to put them ahead of Ohio State. That being said, a spot in the Orange Bowl against the best team in the ACC is not a bad consolation prize.
Clemson is coming off a 39-10 win over the North Carolina Tar Heels in the ACC Championship Game. That was an impressive performance to put the clamps down on quarterback Drake Maye.
Cade Klubnik is the new quarterback at Clemson after D.J. Uiagalelei was benched in the ACC Championship Game. Uiagalelei is responded to that news by entering the transfer portal and going to Oregon State.
yeaaaa, that's a dot 🎯@CadeKlubnikQB pic.twitter.com/VQ39SVJzaw
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) December 27, 2022
via@ClemsonFB
Klubnik is looking to impress and likely will in his debut as a starter. The freshman was highly touted out of high school as a 5 Star quarterback. He should have a big career at Clemson.
The freshman entered cold off the bench to pass for 279 yards and a touchdown on 83.3% completions in the ACC Championship Game. He should do damage against this spotty Tennessee secondary.
The Volunteers have been vulnerable to the big play through the air. They’ve allowed 286.7 yards through the air per game for 127th. Expect Klubnik to let the rest of college football know what they are in for next season.
Hendon Hooker is not participating after suffering a torn ACL in November. Fortunately, Tennessee has a capable and experienced backup with Joe Milton. The former Wolverine has passed for 720 yards, 7 touchdowns, and no interceptions this year.
How far can Joe throw an orange 🍊 ❓@OrangeBowl @Qbjayy7 #GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/lEP9aUTEJm
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 22, 2022
via@Vol_Football
In two seasons at Tennessee, Milton has not thrown an interception in 268 passing attempts. He has also run for more than 5 yards a carry with the Volunteers.
Clemson can be beaten through the air. They are 78th in the secondary, with 230 passing yards allowed per game. Tennessee are likely to be smart and keep Milton passing often in the Orange Bowl.
Tennessee vs. Clemson Predictions: 38-35 Clemson
TCU Horned Frogs vs. Michigan Wolverines Predictions:
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCU Horned Frogs | +7.5 (-110) | +235 | Over 58.5 (-110) |
| Michigan Wolverines | -7.5 (-110) | -285 | Under 58.5 (-110) |
The first semifinal playoff game on New Year’s Eve is between the TCU Horned Frogs and Michigan Wolverines at 4:00 p.m. EST. The Fiesta Bowl is at State Farm Stadium in Arizona. This looks like another college football over for the New Year’s Six slate.
TCU lost their conference championship in the Big 12 Championship Game. The underrated Kansas State Wildcats won in overtime by a score of 31-28. This was only their first loss, and TCU had some help elsewhere, so they still had enough on their resume.
The Horned Frogs need an upset to reach the College Football Playoff National Championship. As 7.5-point underdogs, TCU is up against wall versus Michigan. That said, they are the team with a Heisman Trophy finalist on their roster.
"[Max Duggan] is a guy that's the heart and soul of that whole team. … He really reminds me, because of his toughness and his mindset, of a right-handed Tim Tebow."
—@DesmondHoward pic.twitter.com/rg83MtrYik
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) December 28, 2022
via@GetUpESPN
Max Duggan did not win the Heisman, but Duggan can show why he should have been selected in this one. The senior quarterback has passed for 30 touchdowns and 4 interceptions 64.9% completions.
Duggan also gained 404 yards and 6 touchdowns on 3.6 yards per attempt. This Wolverines’ defense is a big test. However, TCU is likely to find a big play or two.
The Horned Frogs are 16th in the FBS, with 473 yards against per game. TCU has the sixth-best scoring offense. They have notched 40.3 points per game going into the Fiesta Bowl.
The third-best defense in college football will be tough. However, TCU is unlikely to be silent on Saturday. Our biggest concern for TCU is going to be their defense against J.J. McCarthy and Donovan Edwards.
No Blake Corum? Fine says Michigan. Edwards might be just as good as Corum. He has gained 872 yards and 7 touchdowns on 7.5 yards per carry. Behind the best offensive line in football, Edwards is going to be a load to bring down.
JJ McCarthy played well in the time he played in the College Football Playoff last season 🔥
Go Blue! 〽️ pic.twitter.com/2ytbKfq3KP
— JD 〽️ (@MGoJDBlue) December 28, 2022
via@MGoJDBlue
The Horned Frogs are 74th in college football on defense. They’ve conceded 384.6 yards per game. The underrated arm of McCarthy is another threat, as well.
McCarthy has passed for 20 touchdowns and 3 interceptions on 65.3% completions. He should have a solid showing versus the 83rd-best secondary in the FBS.
TCU vs. Michigan Predictions: 38-24 Michigan
Tulane Green Wave vs. USC Trojans Predictions:
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulane Green Wave | +2 (-110) | +115 | Over 62.5 (-110) |
| USC Trojans | -2 (-110) | -135 | Under 62.5 (-110) |
The USC Trojans are at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington after a 47-24 loss to the Utah Utes in the Pac-12 Championship Game. That removed USC from the College Football Playoff and put Ohio State in.
A hamstring injury early to Heisman Trophy winner, Caleb Williams, completely changed the outlook in the Pac-12 Championship game. USC was leading and in control, but the injury changed everything.
Williams was unable to finish the job on one leg. No one cared to tackle on defense for USC, so Utah ran away with a win. Instead of the CFP, USC dropped to 11-2 and the Cotton Bowl.
We have a new @HeismanTrophy winner on display @cfbhall! Congratulations to @uscfb QB @CALEBcsw on a stellar season.👏 #heisman #heismantrophy #fighton✌️ #calebwilliams #usc #uscfootball #collegefootball #collegefootballhalloffame #atl #atlanta #pac12 pic.twitter.com/HA5Gdxw9ij
— College Football Hall of Fame (@cfbhall) December 13, 2022
via@cfbhall
The Heisman winner intends on playing, but head coach Lincoln Riley will not take any chances. If Williams is hobbled at all, risking a more serious tear is not worth it. The Trojans have high hopes next season and need Williams healthy.
Starting center, Brett Neilson, suffered a season-ending injury against Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game, as well. If Williams can’t start, and even if he does, this offense is not at full strength.
Tulane is going to be play hard in the Cotton Bowl. This is their National Championship. Motivation is clearly going to be with the Green Wave.
The Green Wave are 32nd in the FBS with 342.4 yards allowed per game. They excel in the secondary, allowing 188.5 passing yards per game. Tulane will be hitting hard in one of their biggest bowl games in decades.
The tackling was so inept for USC in the Pac-12 Championship game that you have to believe they want to save some pride. They’ve heard constant criticism for a few weeks. Expect the Trojans to come out hitting after taking a look in the mirror.
USC’s offense is far from 100%. The hamstring injury to Willaims is not the only problem for the Trojans. When Tulane has the ball, they should look to bleed clock on the ground with Spears.
Tulane vs. USC Predictions: 30-27 Tulane
