2025-2026 College Football Bowl Games Betting
The biggest week in terms of college football bowl games takes place from Monday, December 29 through Friday, January 2. Not only it is the week with the most games, it is when the College Football Playoff moves to the quarterfinals with one game on Wednesday, December 31 and three games on New Years’s Day, Thursday, January 1, 2026.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are favored in college football odds against the Miami Hurricanes on Wednesday night in the Cotton Bowl Classic on ESPN. New Year’s Day College Football Playoff quarterfinal action begins with the Oregon Ducks a slight favorite against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on ESPN. The Indiana Hoosiers are laying a touchdown against Alabama in the Rose Bowl on ESPN and the Georgia Bulldogs are a touchdown favorite in college football bowl odds against Mississippi in the Sugar Bowl on ESPN.
This week features games on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with the busiest day being New Year’s Eve with five games on the college football schedule. In addition to the College Football Playoff matchup between Miami and Ohio State, there is a marquee matchup between the Michigan Wolverines and Texas Longhorns in the Citrus Bowl on ABC.
This week’s college football bowl action begins on Monday, December 29 with Georgia Southern taking on Appalachian State in the Birmingham Bowl on ESPN. There are three bowl games on Tuesday, December 30, five on December 31, three on Thursday, January 1 and four on Friday, January 2.
We’ll list all of the bowl odds and take a look at the game between Alabama and Indiana in the Rose Bowl on Thursday with the Hoosiers favored in college football bowl odds.
College Football Same Game Parlay Lines
December 29-January 2 Bowl Game Odds and Picks
Monday, December 29, 2025
JLab Birmingham Bowl – Georgia Southern vs App State — Mon Dec 29, 2:00 PM (ESPN) Protective Stadium, Birmingham AL — Georgia Southern -7.5, O/U 59
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl – Coastal Carolina vs Louisiana Tech — Tue Dec 30, 2:00 PM (ESPN) Independence Stadium, Shreveport LA — Louisiana Tech -9, O/U 51.5
Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl – Tennessee vs Illinois — Tue Dec 30, 5:30 PM (ESPN) Nissan Stadium, Nashville TN — Tennessee -2.5, O/U 62
Valero Alamo Bowl – USC vs TCU — Tue Dec 30, 9:00 PM (ESPN) Alamodome, San Antonio TX — USC -7, O/U 55
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
ReliaQuest Bowl – Iowa vs Vanderbilt — Wed Dec 31, 12:00 PM (ESPN) Raymond James Stadium, Tampa FL — Vanderbilt -4, O/U 47.5
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl – Arizona State vs Duke — Wed Dec 31, 2:00 PM (CBS) Sun Bowl, El Paso TX — Duke -3, O/U 49
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl – Michigan vs Texas — Wed Dec 31, 3:00 PM (ABC) Camping World Stadium, Orlando FL — Texas -7.5, O/U 48.5
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl – Nebraska vs Utah — Wed Dec 31, 3:30 PM (ESPN) Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas NV — Utah -14, O/U 50.5
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic – Miami vs Ohio State — Wed Dec 31, 7:30 PM (ESPN) AT&T Stadium, Arlington TX — Ohio State -8.5, O/U 42
Thursday, January 1, 2026
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Oregon vs Texas Tech — Thu Jan 1, 12:00 PM (ESPN) Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens FL — Oregon -2.5, O/U 52.5
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential – Alabama vs Indiana — Thu Jan 1, 4:00 PM (ESPN) Rose Bowl, Pasadena CA — Indiana -7, O/U 48
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl – Ole Miss vs Georgia — Thu Jan 1, 8:00 PM (ESPN) Caesars Superdome, New Orleans LA — Georgia -6.5, O/U 55.5
Friday, January 2, 2026
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl – Rice vs Texas State — Fri Jan 2, 1:00 PM (ESPN) Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth TX — Texas State -13.5, O/U 58
AutoZone Liberty Bowl – Navy vs Cincinnati — Fri Jan 2, 4:30 PM (ESPN) Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis TN — Navy -7, O/U 54.5
Trust & Will Holiday Bowl – Arizona vs SMU — Fri Jan 2, 8:00 PM (FOX) Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego CA — Arizona -3, O/U 51.5
Duke’s Mayo Bowl – Wake Forest vs Mississippi State — Fri Jan 2, 8:00 PM (ESPN) Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte NC — Mississippi St. -4, O/U 54.5
Rose Bowl Odds and Picks – Alabama vs Indiana — Thu Jan 1, 4:00 PM (ESPN) Rose Bowl, Pasadena CA — Indiana -7, O/U 48
Few venues in college football carry the weight of the Rose Bowl, and few matchups fit the stage like this one. Indiana arrives as the nation’s top-ranked team, undefeated and unbothered through 13 games. Alabama shows up as the underdog — a rare role — but fresh off a dramatic comeback win that reminded everyone why the Tide are never out of a fight in December or January.
This is a collision of identity, pedigree, and momentum. Indiana is chasing its first national championship appearance in program history. Alabama is trying to extend a season that has required resilience at every turn. The stakes are enormous, the setting is iconic, and the matchup is loaded with contrast.
Why Alabama Can Win
Alabama enters with a defense capable of keeping this game inside the number. The Tide allow just 10.8 points per game, one of the best marks in the country, and they’ve been elite at preventing explosive plays — giving up only 9.9 yards per completion, a top-five national rate. Their secondary is disciplined, physical, and rarely out of position, a critical trait against an Indiana offense built on efficiency and rhythm.
Quarterback Ty Simpson has been steady down the stretch, throwing for 232 yards and 2 TDs in the win over Oklahoma and showing the poise needed to handle pressure. Alabama’s passing game is the strength of the offense, averaging 270.2 yards per game, and if Simpson can stay ahead of schedule, the Tide have the firepower to challenge Indiana vertically.
Defensively, Alabama’s ability to limit chunk plays and force long drives is the blueprint. Indiana thrives on staying on schedule; Alabama thrives on disrupting timing. If the Tide can turn this into a game of red-zone execution and third-and-mediums, they can drag Indiana into a style of play that favors their defensive structure.
The key number: Alabama allows just 77.6 rushing yards per game — if they can force Indiana into a pass-heavy script, they can keep this within striking distance.
Why Indiana Can Win
Indiana has been one of the most complete teams in the country, pairing a top-tier offense with a defense that suffocates opponents. The Hoosiers allow only 257.2 total yards per game, ranking among the nation’s best, and they excel at creating negative plays, ranking top-10 in sacks and interceptions.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza leads an offense that averages 7.7 yards per pass attempt and thrives on precision. Indiana doesn’t rely on explosive plays — they win with efficiency, third-down execution, and balance. Against an Alabama defense that bends but rarely breaks, Indiana’s ability to convert long drives into points is a major advantage.
The matchup tilts further in Indiana’s favor when considering Alabama’s offensive inconsistency. The Tide average just 109.9 rushing yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry, ranking near the bottom nationally. Indiana’s front is built to punish one-dimensional offenses, and if Alabama becomes pass-dependent, the Hoosiers’ pass rush and coverage discipline can take over.
Indiana has been dominant in every phase all season. If they play to their identity — efficient offense, disruptive defense, clean situational football — they have the more stable path to controlling this game.
Betting Angles
Alabama ATS: 8–4–2
Indiana ATS: 8–5
Totals: Alabama 5–9 to the under; Indiana 7–5–1 to the over
Sharp Angle: Alabama’s inability to run (3.4 YPC, 125th) against an Indiana defense allowing just 77.6 rushing yards per game creates a structural mismatch. If Alabama becomes one-dimensional, Indiana’s efficiency edge widens, and the Hoosiers’ defense can dictate tempo.
Prediction
The Rose Bowl rarely disappoints, and this matchup brings the right blend of tradition, tension, and high-level football. Alabama will compete — they always do — and their defense gives them a real chance to keep this tight into the second half. Ty Simpson has the arm talent to challenge Indiana, and the Tide’s secondary is good enough to prevent explosive breakdowns.
But Indiana has been the steadier, more complete team all season. Their balance on offense, discipline on defense, and ability to win the efficiency battle give them the clearer path. Alabama’s rushing struggles put too much pressure on Simpson, and against a defense this good, that’s a tough formula to sustain for four quarters. Indiana advances and does enough to cover the spread.
Top 2025-26 College Football Playoff Matchups
First, gamblers must keep in mind that the four top bowl games are tied into the 2025-26 College Football Playoff.
On December 31, 2025, the Ohio State Buckeyes will face the Miami-FL Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl, the first of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal games.
On Thursday, January 1, 2026, three bowl games will serve as College Football Playoff quarterfinal games.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders will face the Oregon Ducks in the Orange Bowl.
The Rose Bowl will have the Indiana Hoosiers taking on the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Finally, the Sugar Bowl features the Georgia Bulldogs against the Ole Miss Rebels.
2025-26 College Football Bowl Games
| BOWL |
TIME (ET), VENUE |
| Saturday, December 13 |
| Cricket Celebration Bowl |
| South Carolina State 40, Prairie View 38 |
| Bucked Up LA Bowl |
| Boise State 38, Washington 10 |
| Tuesday, December 16 |
| IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl |
| Jacksonville State 17, Troy 13 |
| Wednesday, December 17 |
| StaffDNA Cure Bowl |
| Old Dominion 24, USF 10 |
| 68 Ventures Bowl |
| Delaware 20, Louisiana 13 |
| Thursday, December 18 |
| Xbox Bowl |
| Arkansas State 34, Missouri State 28 |
| Friday, December 19 |
| Myrtle Beach Bowl |
| Western Michigan 41, Kennesaw State 6 |
| Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl |
| NC State 31, Memphis 7 |
| College Football Playoff First Round Game |
| No. 9 Alabama 34, No. 8 Oklahoma 24 |
| Saturday, December 20 |
| College Football Playoff First Round Game |
| No. 10 Miami-FL 10, No. 7 Texas A&M 3 |
| College Football Playoff First Round Game |
| No. 6 Ole Miss 41, No. 11 Tulane 10 |
| College Football Playoff First Round Game |
| No. 5 Oregon 51, No. 12 James Madison 34 |
| Monday, December 22 |
| Famous Idaho Potato Bowl |
| Washington State 34, Utah State 21 |
| Tuesday, December 23 |
| Bush’s Boca Raton Bowl of Beans Bowl |
| Louisville 27, Toledo 22 |
| New Orleans Bowl |
| WKU 27, Southern Miss 16 |
| Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl |
| Ohio 17, UNLV 10 |
| Wednesday, December 24 |
| Sheraton Hawaii Bowl |
| Hawaii 35, California 31 |
| Friday, December 26 |
| Game Above Sports Bowl |
| Northwestern 34, Central Michigan 7 |
| Rate Bowl |
| Minnesota 20, New Mexico 17 |
| SERVPRO First Responder Bowl |
| UTSA 57, FIU 20 |
| Saturday, December 27 |
| Go Bowling Military Bowl |
| East Carolina 23, Pittsburgh 17 |
| Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl |
| Penn State 22, Clemson 10 |
| Wasabi Fenway Bowl |
| Army 41, UConn 16 |
| Pop-Tarts Bowl |
| BYU 25, Georgia Tech 21 |
| Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl |
| Fresno State 18, Miami-OH 3 |
| Isleta New Mexico Bowl |
| North Texas 49, San Diego State 47 |
| TaxSlayer Gator Bowl |
| Virginia 13, Missouri 7 |
| Kinder’s Texas Bowl |
| Houston 38, LSU 35 |
| Monday, December 29 |
| JLab Birmingham Bowl |
| Georgia Southern vs. Appalachian State |
2:00 PM, Protective Stadium, Birmingham, AL |
| Georgia Southern (-7, 60.5) |
| Tuesday, December 30 |
| Radiance Tech Independence Bowl |
| Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech |
2:00 PM, Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA |
| Louisiana Tech (-8, 51.5) |
| Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl |
| Tennessee vs. Illinois |
5:30 PM, Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN |
| Tennessee (-2.5, 62) |
| Valero Alamo Bowl |
| USC vs. TCU |
9:00 PM, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX |
| USC (-7, 56) |
| Wednesday, December 31 |
| Reliaquest Bowl |
| Iowa vs. Vanderbilt |
12:00 PM, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL |
| Vanderbilt (-5, 47.5) |
| Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl |
| Arizona State vs. Duke |
2:00 PM, Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, TX |
| Duke (-3, 49) |
| Cheez-It Citrus Bowl |
| Michigan vs. Texas |
3:00 PM, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL |
| Texas (-8, 45.5) |
| SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl |
| Nebraska vs. Utah |
3:30 PM, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV |
| Utah (-16.5, 50.5) |
| Goodyear Cotton Bowl |
| Miami-FL vs. Ohio State |
7:30 PM, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX |
| Ohio State (-8.5, 42) |
| Thursday, January 1 |
| Capital One Orange Bowl |
| Oregon vs. Texas Tech |
12:00 PM, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL |
| Oregon (-1.5, 52.5) |
| Rose Bowl Game |
| Alabama vs. Indiana |
4:00 PM, Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA |
| Indiana (-7, 48) |
| Allstate Sugar Bowl |
| Ole Miss vs. Georgia |
8:00 PM, Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA |
| Georgia (-6.5, 55.5) |
| Friday, January 2 |
| Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl |
| Rice vs. Texas State |
1:00 PM, Amon G Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX |
| Texas State (-12, 59.5) |
| AutoZone Liberty Bowl |
| Navy vs. Cincinnati |
8:00 PM, Bank of America Stadium, Memphis, TN |
| Navy (-7, 52.5) |
| Trust & Will Holiday Bowl |
| Arizona vs. SMU |
8:00 PM, Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA |
| Arizona (-3, 52) |
| Duke’s Mayo Bowl |
| Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State |
8:00 PM, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC |
| Mississippi State (-4.5, 56.5) |
| Thursday, January 8 |
| Vrbo Fiesta Bowl (CFP Semifinal) |
| TBD vs. TBD |
7:30 PM, State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ |
| Friday, January 9 |
| Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (CFP Semifinal) |
| TBD vs. TBD |
7:30 PM, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA |
| Monday, January 19 |
| CFP National Championship |
| TBD vs. TBD |
7:30 PM, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL |
| Tuesday, January 27 |
| East-West Shrine Bowl |
| East All-Stars vs. West All-Stars |
7:00 PM, Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, TX |
| Saturday, January 31 |
| Panini Senior Bowl |
| National Team vs. American Team |
2:30 PM, Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, AL |
Top Bowl Games of 2025-26
Trust & Will Holiday Bowl
One of the most appealing and underrated matchups of the bowl season is the Holiday Bowl between the SMU Mustangs and Arizona Wildcats on Friday, January 2, 2026.
SMU was a legitimate ACC contender but stumbled in its season finale against Cal. That loss cost the Ponies a berth in the ACC championship game and a shot at the CFP.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Wildcats were one of the most improved teams in college football this year. Arizona is 9-3 straight up, 8-4 against the spread, and is riding a 5-game winning streak with four covers in that span.
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
When it comes to the power of blueblood megabrands, the Citrus Bowl can’t be topped. The Michigan Wolverines will face the Texas Longhorns in a power helmet sticker matchup on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
The Longhorns were among the last cuts for the College Football Playoff. After struggling for two months, QB Arch Manning and the Longhorns finished strong with six wins in their final seven games. Most importantly, Texas routed Texas A&M 27-17 as 2.5-point home dogs in the regular season finale.
On the other hand, Michigan was mauled 27-9 by the Ohio State Buckeyes in its regular season finale, snapping a 4-game winning streak in the series by the Maize and Blue. The Wolverines covered the spread in only 4 of 12 games, and Sherrone Moore is on the clock after 2 years as HC.
Valero Alamo Bowl
Whenever the USC Trojans play, TV eyeballs and betting interest follow. The Men of Troy will face the TCU Horned Frogs in the Alamo Bowl on Monday, December 29, 2025.
USC improved to 9-3 this season, showing that head coach Lincoln Riley is making gains. The Trojans will bring the nation’s 5th-ranked offense to the Alamo Bowl against a leaky TCU defense that ranked 86th overall and 77th for fewest points allowed.
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