Bowl season continues into the Christmas holiday weekend, and we’ve got a nice little slate of seven games. You know what that means. It’s another chance to build an Underdog Fantasy College Football Pick’em entry.
Underdog Fantasy College Football 12/23 Bowl Games Higher / Lower Picks
With the number of opt-outs in today’s slate, a few of these games could end up one-sided, but we’ve got the side you need to consider. Let’s dive into the picks.
EasyPost Hawaii Bowl: San Jose St. vs Coastal Carolina
Chevan Cordeiro Higher 211.5 passing yards
This is one of the best plays of the day tomorrow. The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers have seen a rush to the transfer portal. At last count, they had at least 12 key players enter the portal, five of which were on defense.
With their full complement of players, the Chanticleers owned the 44th-ranked pass defense in the nation. They allowed an average of 215.8 yards per game and an average completion rate of 57.9%. Without their full lineup? Probably not as good?
San Jose St. Spartans quarterback Chevan Cordeiro cleared 216 passing yards in six out of 12 starts this year. Cordeiro should have little trouble racking up yards against a Coastal Carolina defense that will be missing key pieces.
Cordeiro has also thrown two or more touchdown passes in five of his last six. It could make sense to back up going higher on passing yards by going higher on his passing touchdowns number in your Underdog College Football Pick’em entry.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Georgia St. vs Utah State
Darren Grainger Lower 14.5 rushing attempts
This is one of the oddest props on the Underdog Fantasy College Football Pick’em entry board. Georgia State quarterback Darren Grainger has never hit 15 rushing attempts in a game this year. Why start in a bowl game?
Grainger hit 14 attempts once and 13 attempts twice. This is a pure usage rate play, but there’s no reason for this number to be as high as it is. Look to go lower on rushing attempts for Grainger in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
68 Ventures Bowl Eastern Michigan vs South Alabama
Samson Evans Higher 0.5 Rush + Rec TDs
Eastern Michigan Eagles running back Samson Evans has scored at least one touchdown in seven out of his last eight games. Underdog Fantasy has his rush + rec TD prop at 1.25x.
The South Alabama Jaguars have the 28th-ranked rush defense in the nation. South Alabama has only allowed 121.7 yards per game this year, so it’s unlikely that Evans will pile up yards. However, if the Eagles get close to the goal line, they’ll likely give Evans a chance to punch it in from a short distance.
Evans is also a senior, and he’s yet to announce his future. A touchdown in his last game would be a nice ‘gold watch’ for a guy who has stuck with the program for four years. Look to have an Evans touchdown play in your Underdog Fantasy College Football Pick’em entry.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl: Utah vs Northwestern
Bryson Barnes Lower 177.5 passing yards
Utah Utes quarterback Bryson Barnes has entered the transfer portal, but he’s been scheduled to start in the Las Vegas Bowl. That doesn’t mean that he finishes the game. The Utes have no incentive to give Barnes every series in this game.
There’s also a non-zero chance that this game could get out of hand, or Barnes could struggle against the Northwestern Wildcats pass defense. If either scenario occurs, the Utes may choose to go with someone who may be on the roster next year.
The Northwestern Wildcats have the 25th-ranked pass defense in the country. Northwestern only allows 194.2 passing yards per game.
In the games Barnes started and finished this year, he averaged 184.6 yards per game, and that was padded by games against some of the softer PAC 12 defenses.
This game will likely be a rock fight between two capable defenses and two mediocre offenses. Have the lower number for Barnes passing yards in your Underdog Fantasy College Football Pick’em.
Do you need best bets for every bowl game this year? The College Experience podcast has you covered. Listen to Colby, NC Nick, and Patty C give their takes on every game. Check out the show, take the expert picks, and let it ride!
