2011 Bowl Predictions: Betting the Spread on Every Game Left Till New Year's

The bowl schedule has been out for quite some time now and so have the betting odds for every bowl game. If you're a smart gambler you have already taken a look at the lines and tried to find an advantage anywhere you can.

As the bowl games have already started to kick off, the better games are really beginning to take place.

With several games ready to take place in the next couple of days, here are the predictions for every game until next year against the spread.

Florida State vs. Notre Dame

I always enjoy when a team I believe is going to win straight up gets the points. Of course in this case, that would be the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

They have too much offense for the Seminoles to keep up. Sure, Florida State has a great defense but despite all of the Irish mistakes, they average 30 points per game and have topped 30 points six times.

There is more pressure on Notre Dame to win this game with their very high expectations to start the season. I expect them to show up and pull out the victory.

Fighting Irish are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games against the spread loss.

Pick: Notre Dame plus-3.5

Washington vs. Baylor

There's no way I bet against Robert Griffin and this high-scoring offense when the spread is under 10 points. It seems like Vegas has been doubting this team all season long and they have gotten burned every time.

Washington's defense is ranked 99th in points allowed which is absolutely horrible obviously. Baylor isn't much better but they have stepped up lately and get the necessary stops when they're needed. Take the Bears and don't look back.

Bears are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games as a favorite.

Pick: Baylor minus-9.5

Tulsa vs. BYU

This game should have quite a few fireworks as they both score over 30 points a game. But the difference is that BYU is balanced and plays solid defense as well. Tulsa on the other hand is ranked 66th in points allowed.

I like the team that's also battle tested as they've played teams like UCF and Texas this year. Tulsa is in the C-USA, so you know the type of schedule they have played this season.

Cougars are 6-0 against the spread versus a team with a winning record.

Pick: BYU plus-1

Rutgers vs. Iowa State

I refuse to let Iowa State's victory over Oklahoma State convince me to pick the Cyclones to win this game. The fact is they lost six games this season and absolutely struggle to score and stop the other team from scoring.

Rutgers isn't much better, but at least they play defense, only allowing 19 points per contest. You can argue they're in the Big East but they've held their own all season. They will also pretty much have a home game playing in Yankee Stadium.

Scarlet Knights are 4-0-1 against the spread in their last five bowl games.

Pick: Rutgers minus-1.5

Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest

Are there really any two teams that are more inconsistent than these two? Both of these teams have shown us brilliance and at the same time have shown us some horrible performances as well.

Capping this game is pretty much trying to determine which team is going to show up and play less awful. You have to go with Mississippi State because they play defense and allow less than 20 points per contest. It's also a SEC team and I hear they do pretty well in bowl games.

Bulldogs are 4-0 against the spread in their last four bowl games.

Pick: Mississippi State minus-6.5

Iowa vs. Oklahoma

I'm really not sure how Oklahoma will come out for this game. This is a team that had championship dreams and are now playing in a crappy bowl game before New Year's.

That's the reason I'm taking Iowa and the points. They're a very balanced team on both sides of the ball and should be able to keep this struggling Sooners team on their toes. With all of the injuries to Oklahoma, they haven't been the same team at all.

The Hawkeyes have played close games against Penn State, Nebraska and beat Michigan this year.

Hawkeyes are 4-0 against the spread in their last four bowl games.

Pick: Iowa plus-14

Texas A&M vs. Northwestern

Another team which I'm not sure how they'll play is Texas A&M. An extremely talented team that just couldn't get going for whatever reason and is dealing with their head coach being fired.

Northwestern on the other hand averages over 400 total yards on offense and should be able to keep up with the Aggies high-scoring attack. Especially with Texas A&M's defense allowing 29 points per game.

Wildcats are 4-0 against the spread in their last four versus the Big 12.

Pick: Northwestern plus-10

Georgia Tech vs. Utah

Utah is one of the few Pac-12 teams that can't score points. That's not good news going up against the Yellow Jackets and the triple-option. Georgia Tech averages 35 points per game, Utah averages less than 25 and has a hard time passing and running the ball.

Although Utah has been a good bowl team in the past, this spread is too low to take the Utes.

Yellow Jackets are 4-0-1 against the spread in their last five games as a favorite of 0.5-3.0.

Pick: Georgia Tech minus-2.5

Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt

Neither one of these teams blew you away this season, so you have to look at the potential. Cincinnati lost three games in the Big East and had a difficult time beating teams like Connecticut and Louisville. Vanderbilt lost six games in the SEC but lost to Arkansas, Georgia and Florida all by less than six points.

Cincinnati is banged up on offense and the Commodores play great defense and have force 27 turnovers. They may struggle to score points, but I think they'll be able to play a game of field position and pull out a victory.

Commodores are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games overall.

Pick: Vanderbilt minus-1.5

Illinois vs. UCLA

This is by no means the sexiest bowl matchup of the year, but it is an opportunity to make some money.

Illinois has lost the last six games in a row and I'm not sure they even wanted to accept a bowl invitation after Ron Zook was fired. UCLA is playing for something as they showed against Oregon a few weeks ago. The Bruins are going to want to win this game and head into the offseason on a positive note with new head coach Jim Mora Jr.

I'll take the team that actually wants to be here, over the team that doesn't every time. Not to mention the game is being played in California, the place will be packed.

Bruins are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games in December.

Pick: UCLA plus-3

Virginia vs. Auburn

The SEC always does well in bowl games but I can't take the Tigers in this game.

Virginia will be more motivated to play because they are on the rise as one of the better teams in the ACC. They also play very good defense and also have better quarterback play in Michael Rocco. Auburn is a talented team but they've shown me no reason to put money on them all season long.

Virginia is a motivated team that wants to be here. They have to be the pick.

Cavaliers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five bowl games.

Pick: Virginia plus-3

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]