The 2015 college football bowl season is well underway, but the best remaining games won’t come until a week after Christmas. The New Year’s Six bowl games are split between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and two more big games are also on the Jan. 1 schedule.
Most of the games are expected to be competitive, and every point spread is in single digits. But a few teams are decided favorites over some highly ranked teams, and the betting lines have shifted since the matchups were set a few weeks ago.
Of the eight bowl games set for Dec. 31 and Jan 1, the College Football Playoff Semifinal contest between No.2 Alabama and No.3 Michigan State features the biggest betting line. Even though the two teams are ranked in the top three in the nation, the Crimson Tide is favored by 9.5 points. The point spread has been the same for two weeks, but the over/under moved from 47 to 46.5 points.
The point spread in the other semifinal game remains unchanged, as well. No.4 Oklahoma is a 3.5-point favorite over No.1 Clemson. The Tigers haven’t lost all season, and they have three wins over teams ranked in the top 10. The over/under moved from 65.5 to 64 points.
No.14 Michigan is favored by 4.5 points over No.19 Florida. The Gators previously had been four-point underdogs, and the over/under moved from 41 to 39.5 points.
After opening as nine-point underdogs against No.23 Tennessee, No.13 Northwestern is getting 8.5 points in the Outback Bowl. Northwestern went 10-2 on the season, while the Volunteers have lost four games in 2015.
In the eight games, four teams are favored to beat the higher ranked team. Every team on the schedule for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 is ranked in the top 23.
Below are predictions against the spread for every bowl game on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, as well as updated betting odds, via vegasinsider.com.
No.18 Houston vs. No.9 Florida State (Peach Bowl)
Prediction ATS: Houston+7, under 53 points
No.4 Oklahoma vs. No.1 Clemson (Orange Bowl- CFP Semifinal)
Prediction ATS: Clemson+3.5, over 64
No.3 Michigan State vs. No.2 Alabama (Cotton Bowl- CFP Semifinal)
Prediction ATS: Michigan State+9.5, under 46.5
No.13 Northwestern vs. No.23 Tennessee (Outback Bowl)
Prediction ATS: Northwestern+8.5, under 47.5
No.14 Michigan vs. No.19 Florida (Citrus Bowl)
Prediction ATS: Michigan-4.5, under 39.5
No.8 Notre Dame vs. No.7 Ohio State (Fiesta Bowl)
Prediction ATS: Notre Dame+6.5, over 56
No.6 Stanford vs. No.5 Iowa (Rose Bowl)
Prediction ATS: Iowa+6.5, over 53
No.16 Oklahoma State vs. No.12 Ole Miss (Sugar Bowl)
Prediction ATS: Ole Miss-7, over 67.5
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