Post-Christmas Bowls 2025 College Football Previews And Picks

The college football previews and picks continue in the post-Christmas Bowls 2025 season. Eight games on Dec. 27 alone highlight more big game betting with the College Football Playoff quarterfinals approaching Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. I provide full game-by-game analysis of post-Christmas Bowls 2025 with picks and opinions at Off Shore Gaming Association, which went 5-3 ATS in pre-Christmas Bowls plus 3-2 on College Football Playoff first round games with a number of tough-luck losses ahead of Christmas.

I add more college football and sports betting coverage at BetOnline along with College Football Playoff quarterback profiles and stats. So be sure to check those out along with my update from recent seasons on betting strategies and tips on betting the bowls I provided at OSGA, and previous bowl tips at Vegas Sports Zone. I’ll be updating more games and information you can bet on as the 2025 bowl season progresses into the New Year and the national championship game.

For now, more college bowl coverage after I attended the Rate Bowl and my alma mater Minnesota Golden Gophers 20-17 overtime win over New Mexico in Phoenix. The bowl games and betting lines are below into the New Year, and I’ll update the results with picks, opinions and analysis after the Bowls. Check OSGA for full details and information you can bet on along with noted stats and a defensive stats system I incorporate into the picks and analysis. Teams with a defensive edge in 3 or 4 of the four key categories are 9-4 ATS in bowls this season into Dec. 27 bowl games. That’s the better yards per play and yards per rush defense, points against and total yards allowed. We’ll call it the Defensive Edge System (DES) in select analysis.

College Football Playoff Quarterfinals

Wednesday, Dec. 31

No. 2 Ohio State (-9.5) vs. No. 10 Miami, 43 | Cotton Bowl | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN

Pick: Miami and Under

Miami (11-2) earned a big road win at Texas A&M to kickoff the College Football Playoff. The 10-3 win in the first four CFP games saw the Hurricanes top defense hold the Aggies to just 89 rushing yards on 35 attempts. The ‘Canes offense was on the short end of possession time while gaining less than 280 yards offense on 12 first downs, but 175 rushing in that CFP victory led by a top-10 run-blocking offensive line and potential first-round NFL Draft pick at right tackle, Francis Mauigoa. Miami’s 86.8 team Pro Football Focus (PFF) pass-blocking grade ranks No. 3 in the entire nation, and QB Carson Beck’s 2.33 second average time to throw is the third-fastest in the entire FBS. Now Miami will try to pull the upset and tackle Ohio State (12-1), whose dominant defense led the country (217 ypg, 3,8 yards per play) while holding every opponent to 17 points or less – the first team to do so in nearly 50 years. That also included limiting No. 1 Indiana to 13 points in a 13-10 loss in the Big Ten Championship game. Only two teams in college football history have played 13 games and held the opponents to 106 points or less, 1,100 rushing yards or less and 1,700 passing yards or less – the 2025 Ohio State Buckeyes and 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide. Ohio State has nine players ranked by ESPN among the top 50 players in this year’s College Football Playoff, and five of them are on defense ranking in the Top 25.  But the Hurricanes defensive line is also elite, ranking No. 2 in the nation in Pro Football Focus (PFF) pass-rush grade behind fellow playoff team Texas Tech. The run defense is also among the best, and Miami features two defensive lineman ranking among the best in the CFP to make this one of the top CFP games to watch as defensive players dominate in a lower-scoring slugfest.

Update: All bowl game picks and opinions through Dec. 31 are 14-6 ATS. Picks 3-2 ATS and Opinions 11-4 ATS. Also, all College Football Playoff picks and opinions are 5-2 ATS (2-1 picks) into New Year’s Day CFP Bowls plus 1-0 team prop.

Thursday, Jan. 1

No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Oregon (-2,5), 52.5 | Orange Bowl | 12 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN

Pick: Texas Tech

No. 1 Indiana (-7) vs. No. 9 Alabama, 48 | Rose Bowl | 4 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN

No. 3 Georgia (-6.5) vs. No. 6 Ole Miss, 56.5 | Sugar Bowl | 8 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN

Bowl Games

(Non CFP). Betting lines and college football odds from top online sportsbooks refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on props and live/in-game betting. Point spread on favorites. All times Eastern. Noted line changes in 1-2 days ahead of bowl.

Sat., Dec. 27

Military Bowl – East Carolina vs. Pittsburgh (-13), O/U 51.5
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium – Annapolis, MD | 11 am | ESPN

Pinstripe Bowl – Penn State vs. Clemson (-3), O/U 47
Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY | 12 pm | ABC

A pair of top 5 teams to start the season finish in a disappointing bowl. Penn State (6-6) won their final three games to finish 3-6 in the Big Ten. A major disappointment for sure while also losing their starting quarterback Drew Allar and firing head coach James Franklin during the season. However,  Clemson (7-5) was the clear favorite to win the ACC. The Tigers started 1-3 (0-2 in ACC) and never had a chance before winning their final four games. No less than five starters have opted-out for the Nittany Lions, but far more injuries and opt-outs for Clemson and coach Dabo Swinney. With Penn State holding the DES edge and more acclimated to the freezing temps in the closing stretch of the season, the Lions are more capable of roaring as ‘Dog. Trend: Big Ten has won 8-straight Pinstripe Bowls over ACC.

Opinion: Penn State

Fenway Bowl – Connecticut vs. Army (-9), O/U 42.5
Fenway Park – Boston, MA | 2:15 pm | ESPN

The Black Knights come off a narrow 17-16 loss to Navy in America’s Game, but no opt-out or chemistry concerns for the upperclassman-heavy military men.

Opinion: Army and Lean Under

Pop-Tarts Bowl – No. 22 Georgia Tech vs. No. 12 BYU (-3.5), O/U 56
Camping World Stadium – Orlando, FL | 3:30 pm | ABC

The BYU Cougars (11-2) made it to the Big 12 Championship game before losing a second time to Texas Tech. But BYU is still motivated to finish strong with few opt-outs after missing out on the College Football Playoff. Georgia Tech (9-3) blew a golden opportunity to play in the ACC Championship game, as the bumbling Bees Yellow Jackets lost three of its final four games of the regular season with their only win by 2-points over last place Boston College. The Rambling Wreck of Tech was outgained by all six opponents that made a bowl game this season. Now Tech is without their offensive coordinator to call plays for Bro QB Haynes. How the heck is the Wreck going to have success against a top-tier BYU pass defense with BYU holding DES edges across the board?

Pick: BYU

Arizona Bowl – Miami (Ohio) vs. Fresno State (-4.5), O/U 40.5
Arizona Stadium – Tucson, AZ | 4:30 p.m. | The CW Network

Line down 1.5 points on Fresno State (8-4), who allowed the second-fewest points in the Mountain West with their sharp head coach formerly of USC as defensive coordinator.

Lean: Fresno State

New Mexico Bowl – San Diego State vs. No. 25 North Texas (-7), O/U 52.5
University Stadium – Albuquerque, NM | 5:45 pm | ESPN

San Diego State (9-3) was one of the best money-makers in college football this season going 9-3 ATS. The Aztecs also hold all the DES edge in this matchup against a deflated North Texas (11-2) team that lost the American Athletic Conference Championship game, and thus their shot to make the College Football Playoff. The Mean Green did feature the No. 1 yards per game (507) offense in college football this season led by the nation’s leading passer, Drew Mestemaker, who will be leaving after this game to greener pastures likely in the SEC despite his head coach already leaving for Oklahoma State.

Opinion: San Diego State and Lean Over

Gator Bowl – No. 19 Virginia vs. Missouri (-3.5), O/U 44
EverBank Stadium – Jacksonville, FL | 7:30 pm | ABC

Little coverage of a much improved Virginia (10-3) team following three-straight losing seasons to make it to the ACC Championship game with the ‘Hoos defense holding their final four opponents to season-low yardage.

Texas Bowl – LSU vs. No. 21 Houston (-1.5), O/U 42
NRG Stadium – Houston, TX | 9:15 pm | ESPN

LSU (7-5) underachieved this season, but holds the DES edges across the board in this matchup against Houston (9-3), who overachieved while going 8-4 ATS.

Opinion: Houston

Monday, Dec. 29

Birmingham Bowl – App State vs. Georgia Southern (-8.5), O/U 59.5
Protective Stadium – Birmingham, AL | 2 pm | ESPN

Opinion: Appalachian State

Tues., Dec. 30

Independence Bowl – Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech (-9), O/U 51.5
Independence Stadium – Shreveport, La. | 2 pm | ESPN

Lean: Coastal Carolina

Music City Bowl – Illinois vs. Tennessee (-2.5), 61.5
Nissan Stadium – Nashville, TN | 5:30 pm | ESPN

Opinion: Tennessee

Alamo Bowl – TCU vs. No. 16 USC (-6.5), O/U 55.5
Alamodome – San Antonio, TX | 9 pm | ESPN

Opinion: Over

Wednesday, Dec. 31

ReliaQuest Bowl – No. 23 Iowa vs. No. 14 Vanderbilt (-5), O/U 47
Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL | 12 pm | ESPN

Iowa (8-4) qualifies under our Defensive Edge System (DES), as the Hawkeys allow just 4.5 defensive yards per play, 16 points per game, 3.6 yards per rush and 279 total yards. That led them to a 4-0 ATS ‘Dog log this season and 7-0 ATS vs. > .500 opponents. That includes holding CFP entrants Indiana and Oregon to 20 and 18 points in close defeats with those two top teams very similar stats to Vanderbilts 39 points per game  and 468 yards per game offense. A rare bowl game outside the CFP with both teams bringing their best with a full compliment of players and few opt-outs.

Opinion: Iowa

Sun Bowl – Arizona State vs. Duke (-3), O/U 49.5
Sun Bowl – El Paso, TX | 2 pm | CBS

Opinion: Arizona State

Citrus Bowl – No. 8 Michigan vs. 13 Texas (-8), O/U 48
Camping World Stadium – Orlando, FL | 3 pm | ABC

Texas (9-3) was playing better down the stretch than Michigan (9-3) before sh*t hit the fan in Ann Arbor for the Wolverines clueless coach. Both teams feature top defenses that can dominate. And both the Longhors and Wolverines have plenty of players opting out with Texas missing more defensive stalwarts. Still, it’s QB Manning against Underwood, and preference when facing top defenses is to QBM and the Longhorns noting Underwood and the Wolverine’s offensive struggles against Oklahoma, Ohio State and even USC in defeat. Michigan is taking money by game day from +8 to +6.5 in spots.

Lean: Texas

Las Vegas Bowl – Nebraska vs. No. 15 Utah (-14), O/U 50.5
Allegiant Stadium – Las Vegas, NV | 3:30 pm | ESPN

New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas, where I’m sitting to see Utah (10-2) without longtime coach Kyle Wittingham, who’s off to Ann Arbor to be the new coach at Michigan. The Ute’s strong, balanced offense averaged 475 yards per game and 39 points game, but is playing without two key offensive lineman who are turning pro. Line dipped towards Nebraska (7-5), who plays without QB Raiola, who will take more money elsewhere entering the transfer portal. The season stats showed the Huskers with a 45 ypg better defense, but Utes allowed less than 20 points per game – 5 ppg better than Nebraska.

Lean: Utah

Fri., Jan. 2

Armed Forces Bowl – Rice vs. Texas State (-11.5), O/U 59.5
Amon G. Carter Stadium – Fort Worth, TX | 1 pm | ESPN

Liberty Bowl – Cincinnati vs. Navy (-7), O/U 54.5
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium – Memphis, TN | 4:30 pm | ESPN

Cincinnati (7-5) started 7-1 before losing their final four games (3 by double-digits) to the top Big 12 teams. The Bearcats run defense (184/game) is going to get pounded at the point of attack by Navy (10-2), who averages 49 rushing attempts per game and a nation-best 273 rushing yards per game vs FBS foes. Difference with this stronger Navy team is veteran QB Horvath can pass more averaging nearly 140 yards per game. No opt-outs for the military men, but Bearcats boys are leaving Cincinnati causing a huge line adjustment. Most sought after QB Sorsby is in the transfer portal and out, along with numerous defensive backs. Navy has some solid American Conference wins plus America’s Game win over Army to finish the season. Navy’s only two losses to explosive North Texas and Notre Dame, and Midshipmen have covered 7-straight bowl games.

Pick: Navy  (upgraded)

Duke’s Mayo Bowl – Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State (-3), O/U 53
Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, NC | 8 pm | ESPN

Even Wake Forest (8-4) running attack (146/game) can have success against a Mississippi State (5-7) run defense that allows an average of 5.1 yards per rush and 201 rushing yards per game – worst of all power program bowl teams. Bulldogs just 1-6 SU vs. winning teams this season, yes in the rugged SEC, but MSU missing no less than 10 players to the portal and Wake Forest applies to defensive edges (DES) across the board for strong season under first-year head coach Dickert in Winston-Salem.

Pick: Wake Forest (upgraded)

Holiday Bowl – SMU vs. No. 17 Arizona (-3), O/U 52.5
Snapdragon Stadium – San Diego, CA | 8 pm | FOX

SMU (8-4) taking some money against Arizona (9-3), and both teams are top 15 in EPA per play creating more offense that the game total suggests with solid QB’s and prolific passers able to move the ball. SMU took money despite a putrid pass defense allowing 288 passing yards per game – worst in the country with fellow bowler Duke.

Pick: Over and Opinion: SMU

Check back daily and initial updates at OSGA for bowl games including analysis. Follow @FairwayJay and @OffShoreGaming on X for more updates on College Football Playoff, sports betting news and information you can bet on.

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