Expert College Football Betting Locks for Non-Playoff Bowls, Part 1

Let's be completely honest. Betting on the 2025 bowl season is no easy assignment. The variables one must navigate, from coaching changes to opt outs to motivation, loom larger than they ever have.

Indeed, finding the necessary information, especially early on, is a challenge.

But we are up for it. Of course we are.

As the bowl season evolves, we are not letting up. In fact, we are ready to bet on this series of exhibitions harder than we ever have.

We'll get to the playoff games in short order. In the meantime, though, we're diving deep into bowl games, and we will be doing so in multiple installments. This week, we'll pick non-playoff bowls before December 23.

We'll tackle the first round of playoff games the following week before going back to bowls. We'll then finish with the playoffs and, of course, the national championship.

We have much to do and many winners to select. The bowl season, despite its many quirks, is still alive and well for many of us. Let's carve through the uncertainty in search of winners. 

LA Bowl: Washington (-9.5) vs. Boise State

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Denzel Boston of the Washington Huskies

Give Boise State credit. While the Broncos have won their fair share of conference championships in the past, last weekend's Mountain West Championship conquest over UNLV was certainly earned.

After such a dominant year in 2024, Boise State has had to piece this one together. After a rough loss to South Florida, it was able to largely put it together with a few bumps along the way.

The issue here, though, is that Washington has a wealth of talent on the offensive side of the ball. Opt‑outs could impact this, although early signs are positive for the Huskies. Washington played both Ohio State and Oregon this season.

By no means was it a perfect season for Washington, but a difficult schedule played a role in that. And for as much as Boise State has accomplished this year, one of the first bowl games of the season could end up wildly lopsided.

The Pick: Washington (-9.5)

Cure Bowl: Old Dominion (+6) vs. USF

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Rasheed Reason, left, and Jahleel Culbreath of the Old Dominion Monarchs

Oh, Old Dominion has been good to us this season. In fact, one could argue its 45-26 victory over Virginia State early on, which ultimately resulted in a coaching change in Blacksburg, was one of the finest of the year.

The Monarchs were nearly a touchdown underdog that day, and the squad won comfortably. If only more games were that easy this season.

Playing as an underdog once again, Old Dominion should be primed for this spot. Motivation certainly seems to be in its favor, and the team comes into this matchup having won five straight games. It did not allow more than 10 points in any of its last four games.

Offensively, USF had a strong season, headlined by a blistering start. That said, this group struggled against the run this season, and the Monarchs have the nation's No. 6-ranked rushing attack.

The clock will move quickly, and Old Dominion will keep it tight.

The Pick: Old Dominion (+6)

68 Ventures Bowl: Delaware vs. Louisiana (Over 58.5)

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Delaware quarterback Nick Minicucci celebrates with his teammates.

Oh, we love the Delaware Blue Hens. We love the name, and we love this particular football team.

Sure, the 6-6 record doesn't ooze excellence. And if you want to point out a handful of blowout losses, you can do so. But they do have quarterback Nick Minicucci, who is currently No. 4 in the nation in passing yards, and that should provide plenty of firepower.

Louisiana, which finished the year with four straight wins, didn't score less than 30 points in any of those games. After a slow start to the season, which included losses to James Madison and Missouri, the Ragin' Cajuns found some life.

Factor that in with Delaware's No. 120-ranked scoring defense and a fun football game could be brewing.

We thought about taking Delaware, which would still be the lean. But instead of a side, we're rooting for points and all sorts of scoreboard explosions.

The Pick: Over 58.5

Gasparilla Bowl: NC State (-6) vs. Memphis

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CJ Bailey of the NC State Wolfpack

How does a team with an interim coach fare in the bowl season? Well, results may vary.

Memphis will give us another data point, as former head coach Ryan Silverfield begins his tenure at Arkansas. Although the team quickly hired Charles Huff to replace him, it will be Reggie Howard who leads the team in this particular game.

This type of situation is at least somewhat familiar. While it's unclear what Memphis will have to offer, it doesn't matter. NC State, which finished with seven wins, closed out the year with victories in three of the last four games.

One of those wins came over Georgia Tech. In that matchup, the Wolfpack finished with nearly 600 yards of offense. Quarterback CJ Bailey is an emerging star and is poised to put on a show.

Memphis, meanwhile, closed out the season with three straight losses. While that wasn't bad enough to deter Arkansas from hiring the head coach, it's enough to send us running toward the other side here.

The Pick: NC State (-6)

Frisco Bowl: Ohio (+4.5) vs. UNLV  

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Given the sheer number of times we faded UNLV this season, including its last game, this feels about right.  

Boise State did us well in the Mountain West Championship Game against the Rebels, although this team undeniably cost us money this season. UNLV's 7-6 mark against the spread thus far isn't exactly dazzling, although we were on the wrong side in many of those losses.

All that aside, Dan Mullen's first season with the program was largely a success. One could say the same about Ohio, which lost just four games. One of those losses came to Ohio State; the other was a three-point defeat to Rutgers.

The Bobcats' offense runs through QB Parker Navarro, who is a threat with his arm and his legs. This team has seen what elite football looks like this year, and that seasoning should help immensely in a game like this.

Ohio doesn't just cover. The Bobcats win outright as a small 'dog.

The Pick: Ohio (+4.5)

Other Games on the Card

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Louisville Cardinals head coach Jeff Brohm talks with quarterback Miller Moss.

Salute to Veterans Bowl: Jacksonville State (+3) vs. Troy

For Jax State, the season ended with two losses in the last three games. That said, the rush attack can be elite, and it will face off against the nation's No. 112-ranked rushing attack here.

Boca Raton Bowl: Louisville (-9.5) vs. Toledo

Jeff Brohm turned down interest from other programs to stay at Louisville, and that's wonderful news for Cardinals fans. We'll keep an eye on opt-outs, but the talent difference here is robust.