The 2024 Season’s Bowl games are officially here and today is the first game in the new 12-team college football playoffs! To celebrate bowl season, I’ll be releasing a best bets article each day there’s a bowl game! Get your bets in before the bowl games kick off each day! Let’s hope we continue to win in today’s bowl games best bets for Friday, December 20th. Check out all the staff picks here.
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2024 Season Today’s Bowl Games Best Bets – Friday, December 20th
Cure Bowl: Ohio (-4.5) vs. Jacksonville State
The first game on our Friday, December 20th bowl game bets is Ohio vs. Jacksonville State in the Cure Bowl. Both of these teams had pretty good years overall. Ohio went 10-3 overall and 9-4 against the spread (ATS) while Jacksonville State was 9-4 overall and 7-6 ATS. Both of these teams are coming off big wins after Ohio beat Miami (OH) 38-3 and Jacksonville State beat Western Kentucky 52-12. This one starts right at noon Eastern time.
Ohio’s offense had more passing yards per game than Jacksonville State, averaging 187.7 passing yards per game compared to 177.1. However, Jacksonville State ran the ball better. They averaged a massive 267.3 rushing yards a game compared to Ohio’s 211.6. Both of these teams obviously favor the run over the pass.
The biggest defense between these two, however, is their defense. Jacksonville State allowed 25.9 points per game, 215 passing yards per game and 170.2 rushing yards per game. However, Ohio only allowed 95.5 rushing yards per game. They will stop Jacksonville State’s strength in the run and make them beat them with the pass. Not sure J-State can do that.
Today’s Bowl Games Best Bets: Ohio -4.5 – They run all over Jacksonville State while limiting Jacksonville State’s big run plays
Gasparilla Bowl: Tulane vs. Florida (-12.5)
Out of all the Bowl Games so far, especially on Friday, December 20th Bowl Game bets, this one may be the grossest one. Florida’s disappointing season ends with the Gasparilla Bowl against Tulane. Florida finished the year 7-5 overall and 8-4 ATS. While many expected more from them, Tulane exceeded expectations going 9-4 straight up and ATS. They face each other at 3:30 PM Eastern time, 12:30 PM Pacific.
I won’t spend too much time on a gross game of an underperforming team vs. an overperforming one. We’ll just leave it at this. Tulane’s offense averaged more points and more yards, while their defense allowed less. Their defense was one of the better units and I think Florida is going to really struggle against them. Florida’s lost their will to fight and I think it shows up in this bowl game.
Today’s Bowl Games Best Bets: Tulane +12.5 – I think they keep this one close. I don’t hate sprinkling a little on the Moneyline either (+360)
First ROund Of College Football Playoff: Indiana vs. Notre Dame (-7)
The best part about the Friday, December 20th Bowl game bets is that we get our first action of the newly formatted 12-team College Football Playoffs! At 8:00 PM Eastern, 5 PM Pacific, Indiana and Notre Dame will face off hoping to advance to the next round of the playoffs and get one step closer to a National Championship.
Indiana got into the College Football Playoffs after their 11-1 season. They went 9-3 ATS and their only loss was to Ohio State. They have an extremely balanced offense and a tough defense. The defense is especially good at stopping the run. They’re looking to prove they belong in the playoffs as they come in to this game as under dogs.
Notre Dame finished their season 11-1 overall and 10-2 ATS. Their only loss was a massive upset by Northern Illinois. Their offense put up a lot of points and they relied heavily on their run game, rushing for an average 224 yards per game. Their defense was well balanced, limiting opportunities, and holding opponents to an average of 13 points per game.
As good as both of these teams are, Notre Dame’s bread and butter was in the run game. Indiana’s defense thrives at stopping the run. This is going to be a great matchup to watch to see if Notre Dame can run the ball. If they can’t, will their passing game be good enough? I think Indiana comes into this gam playing with house money.
Today’s Bowl Games Best Bets: Indiana +7, I also like taking them on the Moneyline at +255.
