AutoNation Cure Bowl Betting: San Jose State vs. Georgia State Odds, Pick

Georgia State made very happy campers of its financial backers over the last half of this season, going 6-0-1 against the spread over its last seven games. And, it won five games this season outright as betting underdogs. The Panthers will go off as dogs when they meet up with San Jose State in the inaugural AutoNation Cure Bowl in Orlando.

AutoNation Cure Bowl point spread: The Spartans opened as four-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 29.8-28.4 Panthers

Why the Spartans can cover the spread

The Spartans started 2-3 this season, with losses coming at Air Force, at Oregon State and at Auburn. San Jose State then went through a 3-3 stretch in which two of its losses came by a total of four points, one in overtime. The Spartans then had a chance to finish at .500 with a win in their regular-season finale against Boise State; they led the Broncos late into the third quarter but faded and lost 40-23.

San Jose State only lost the yardage battle to BSU by a 497-474 margin, and 88 of the Broncos' yards came on one play.

Even while missing ATS as eight-point dogs against Boise State, the Spartans are 6-3 ATS over their last nine outings. And prior to that defeat, San Jose State had outgained six of its previous eight opponents.

Why the Panthers can cover the spread

GSU is one of the hottest moneymakers in the land at the moment, with four straight wins, three of those outright upsets as underdogs, finishing the season on a 6-0-1 ATS run. The Panthers began 2-6 this year, but three of those losses came by one score or less, and they gave eventual Sun Belt champion Arkansas State a very good battle, easily covering 17 points. They then won their last four games, finishing with a 34-7 romp over Georgia Southern as three-touchdown dogs.

Georgia State outgained the Eagles by 286 yards and has now outgained its last five opponents by an average of 160 yards per game.

Smart pick

The Panthers actually “earned” a bowl bid, winning six games this season, while San Jose doesn't deserve to be here, after going 5-7. Also, Georgia State is playing in its first bowl and should be jacked. Plus, the Panthers are getting points. Take Georgia State.

Betting trends

San Jose State is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games against the Sun Belt.

Georgia State is 7-23 straight up in its last 30 games.

The total has gone under in Georgia State's last five games.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.