The 2025-26 college football bowl season has entered an exciting phase, kicking off with a series of games featuring top teams. The action continues with Cal facing Hawaii (-1.5) on Christmas Eve, which is the only game scheduled for that day, starting at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can also look forward to other thrilling matchups, including New Mexico vs. Minnesota (-2.5) on Friday and a pair of games on Saturday: Penn State vs. Clemson (-3) and Missouri (-4) versus Virginia.
As the College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinals approach, the highly anticipated Cotton Bowl features the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, who are favored by 9.5 points over the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes on New Year’s Eve. For those eager to place bets or make predictions, it’s beneficial to check out the latest insights and forecasts from SportsLine’s proven prediction model.
The model, which has accurately simulated each FBS game 10,000 times, boasts a 31-19 record on its top-rated money-line picks from the current season. As users dive into the latest odds, the model is highlighting several key predictions for the bowl games.
One major pick is for Penn State, who is poised to cover the spread (+3, 48.5) against Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 27. Despite both teams having rocky seasons, each managed a strong finish with a 3-1 record against the spread. Notably, Clemson’s head coach, Dabo Swinney, has struggled recently in bowl games, losing four of his last six, often by more than two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Penn State has shown resilience, particularly given their higher scoring average (ranked 37th nationally) compared to Clemson (ranked 61st).
Another noteworthy prediction is regarding Missouri, who is expected to cover against No. 20 Virginia (-4, 44.5) in the Gator Bowl on the same day. Virginia is coming off a tough loss in the ACC Championship Game, raising questions about their motivation for the lesser bowl matchup. Historically, Virginia has struggled to perform in bowl games, while Missouri has experienced success lately under coach Eli Drinkwitz, winning their last two bowl games.
For fans eager to make informed betting decisions, the model suggests five underdogs are likely to win outright in notable matchups featuring power conference teams. Those interested can access all of SportsLine’s picks and insights, taking advantage of a limited-time promo for new users.
In conclusion, the excitement surrounding the college football bowl season provides ample opportunity for fans and bettors alike to engage with the games. With strategic predictions and matchups that could define the futures of these programs, the upcoming days promise intense competition and thrilling moments for football enthusiasts.