NCAA Football Bowl Preview: Dec. 20th-24th

The first weekend of Bowls have already kicked off. These early bowl games are mainly filled with small-school teams from the Other Five Conferences. The Power Five Conference schools will normally receive better time slots and opponents, since their money is immediately tied to television contracts. It is not a fair, nor balanced system, especially because a board of executives choose who play each other in each bowl, yet here we are.

Friday saw Middle Tennessee State beat Toledo and Coastal Carolina squeak by Northern Illinois. How’s that for small schools? Saturday heated up with better matchups. UAB upset BYU in the Independence Bowl, and both Western Kentucky and Liberty beat their respective opponents by putting up 59 and 56 points each. Utah State also beat a Power Five team in Oregon State for the first victory for the small schools. Before placing bets on the rest of the bowl games, get a strong foundation on football betting tips and strategies.

Odds for All of the Upcoming Bowl Games

Watch UTSA battle SDSU in a the best matchup between Other Five Conference schools.

Dec. 20th-24th Bowl Preview

Monday, December 20th

Myrtle Beach Bowl Presented by TaxAct (Conway, South Carolina)
6-6 Old Dominion Monarchs vs. 6-6 Tulsa Golden Hurricanes

Tulsa is good at airing the ball out, but also at turning the ball over. Take Old Dominion on the spread at +9.5, but Tulsa with the win at -350. Not the most exciting matchup, but better ones will come.

Tuesday, December 21st

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, Idaho)
7-6 Kent State Golden Flashes vs. 6-6 Wyoming Cowboys

Kent State has a high-powered offense, but a defense that has a lot to be desired. Wyoming, has a good defense and a strong run game. Take the Cowboys in a stadium they are used to playing at (conference opponent Boise State’s). Cowboys are at -3/-150.

Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl (Frisco, Texas)
12-1 UTSA (Texas-San Antonio) Roadrunners vs. 11-2 San Diego State Aztecs

This is the best matchup between the smaller conferenced schools. UTSA has a proficient air game, in which the Aztecs are susceptible at defending the pass. The Aztecs have a committee of running backs that constantly move the chains and the nation’s best punter (he broke three collegiate punting records for most 50 and 60 yard punts in a season,  and most yards on average for the season). Despite, the Aztecs great team and season, I fear they will fall short on defense. Roadrunners are -2.5/-130 in this can’t miss duel.

Top 3 Betting Apps

Best Brand

BetMGM Bonus

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Get bonus now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Best Bonus

FanDuel Bonus

New Users – Bet $5 Get $250 If Your Bet Wins!

Get bonus now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG Help . Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit Helpline and Chat – CONNECTICUT COUNCIL (CT). “Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support. 21+ and present in MA. Connect with a PlayWell Advisor at PlayWell.org. Visit Home (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at FanDuel Sportsbook

Newcomer

DraftKings Bonus

New Customers: Bet $5+ Get $300 in Bonus Bets Instantly

Get bonus now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings Sportsbook customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Bet must settle by and Token expires 5/3/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 4/26/26 at 11:59 PM ET.

Wednesday, December 22nd

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl (Fort Worth, Texas)
6-6 Missouri Tigers vs. 8-4 Army Black Knights

Army has looked good this year, they run the ball well and play a strong defense. Missouri has looked average, despite them playing in a Power Five Conference, they are a weak team. It is always fun to watch a small conferenced team beat a bigger school. Take Army at -4/-175.

Thursday, December 23rd

Frisco Football Classic Presented by Ryan (Frisco, Texas)
6-6 North Texas Mean Green vs. 6-6 Miami (OH) Red Hawks

North Texas mainly runs the ball, Miami mainly throws the ball. Both defenses are almost identical giving up about 225 pass yards a game and 151 rush yards. Take Miami and the air game at -3/-165, even though North Texas is almost playing a home game.

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl (Tampa, Florida)
8-4 Central Florida Golden Knights vs. 6-6 Florida Gators

This is another underdog game as the Golden Knights are +6.5/+200 and play in a small conference, where Florida plays in the SEC (the biggest of the Power Five conferences). These teams play identical football on offense and defense, so take the underdog in Central Florida.

Friday, December 24th

EasyPost Hawai’i Bowl (Honolulu, Hawai’i)
6-6 Memphis Tigers vs. 6-7 Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors

Hawai’i is the only team in a bowl with a losing record. What a beautiful place to have a bowl game and such a boring choice of schools. Why not showcase and reward two top small-conference schools instead of two middling teams? Take Memphis for the win at -275, but Hawai’i for the spread at +7.5.

With Bowl Games every night, except for Sundays, and NFL games spilling out on Saturdays and Tuesdays, stay up to date with all the best betting odds that update with all the current news.