The 2025-26 college football bowl season is here, and honestly, it feels like there’s something for everyone. Fans can dive into a wild lineup of matchups and, if you’re feeling bold, those ever-popular bowl confidence pools.
Washington got things rolling with a commanding 38-10 win over Boise State in the LA Bowl. That’s just the opener—38 more games are on deck, including those high-pressure College Football Playoff (CFP) showdowns.
Heavyweights like Oregon and Ole Miss are drawing plenty of attention as favorites. But let’s be real: every year, there are surprises, and this one’s shaping up to be no different.
Key Matchups and Spreads
Some of the season’s biggest games come with eye-popping point spreads. Oregon is a massive 21.5-point favorite over James Madison.
Ole Miss, meanwhile, is giving 17.5 points to Tulane in the CFP First Round. These lines show a lot of faith in the favorites, but if you’ve watched college football for more than a minute, you know the unexpected is always lurking.
Other Notable Games
Looking past the CFP, a few other matchups stand out:
- Penn State vs. Clemson (-4.5)
- Vanderbilt (-6.5) vs. Iowa
- Georgia Tech vs. BYU (-4.5)
- Tennessee vs. Illinois (+4.5)
- Michigan vs. Texas (-7.5)
These spreads are a lot tighter, hinting at some real battles. Michigan’s situation is especially interesting—Biff Poggi steps in as interim head coach after Sherrone Moore’s departure, and that could shake things up against Texas.
Model Predictions and Betting Insights
Trying to make smart college football predictions this bowl season? It helps to lean on expert analysis.
SportsLine’s simulation model, which runs every FBS game 10,000 times, has been on a roll with top-rated money-line picks since 2024. If you’re playing confidence pools or just want an edge, it’s a tool worth checking out.
Top Confident Picks
One of the model’s boldest takes: No. 21 Houston, favored by 2.5, is projected to win big over LSU in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 27. Playing in Houston gives them a boost, and LSU’s been shaky lately, dropping four straight outside Baton Rouge.
The model’s giving Houston an 80% win rate in simulations—pretty convincing. Another pick: No. 16 USC (-6.5) over TCU in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30.
USC went 9-3 in the regular season, and all their losses came against ranked teams. TCU finished 5-4 in the Big 12, not exactly inspiring confidence.
USC’s offense and defense both look better on paper, and under Lincoln Riley, they’ve won 78% of games as the favorite. The model likes USC’s chances, giving them a 70% shot at the win.
Strategies for Bowl Confidence Pools
If you’re jumping into a bowl confidence pool, a little strategy can go a long way. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind:
Focus on Heavy Favorites
Sure, upsets are fun, but stacking your highest confidence points on big favorites is usually the safest play. Oregon vs. James Madison and Ole Miss vs. Tulane are classic examples—sometimes it’s best not to overthink it.
Identify Potential Upsets
Picking the right underdog or two can really give you an edge. The model has flagged 15 underdogs that could win outright.
It’s worth digging into team form, injuries, and maybe even a little gut instinct before making those calls.
Leverage Home-Field Advantages
Games played close to home, like Houston in the Texas Bowl, shouldn’t be overlooked. Teams often step up when they’ve got the crowd behind them, so don’t be afraid to give those matchups some extra weight.
Upcoming Bowl Schedule Highlights
Here’s a quick look at some of the bowl games you might want to catch:
- Dec. 16: Veterans Bowl: Troy vs. Jacksonville State, 9 p.m. ET
- Dec. 17: Cure Bowl: Old Dominion vs. South Florida, 5 p.m. ET
- Dec. 18: Xbox Bowl: Missouri State vs. Arkansas State, 9 p.m. ET
- Dec. 19: Myrtle Beach Bowl: Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan, 11 a.m. ET
- Dec. 20: CFP First Round: Miami at Texas A&M, noon ET
- Dec. 22: Potato Bowl: Washington State vs. Utah State, 2 p.m. ET
- Dec. 23: Boca Raton Bowl: Toledo vs. Louisville, 2 p.m. ET
- Dec. 24: Hawaii Bowl: Cal vs. Hawaii, 8 p.m. ET
- Dec. 26: First Responder Bowl: FIU vs. UTSA, 8 p.m. ET
- Dec. 27: Military Bowl: Pitt vs. East Carolina, 11 a.m. ET
- Dec. 29: Birmingham Bowl: Georgia Southern vs. App. State, 2 p.m. ET
- Dec. 30: Alamo Bowl: USC vs. TCU, 9 p.m. ET
- Dec. 31: Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs. Texas, 3 p.m. ET
- Jan. 2: Liberty Bowl: Navy vs. Cincinnati, 4:30 p.m. ET
Want the full schedule and more details? Head over to the SportsLine website for all the info.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 college football bowl season is shaping up to be a wild ride. There’s a packed lineup of games, and you can just feel the anticipation building.
Fans and bettors are in for plenty of drama and surprises. If you’re looking to get ahead, keeping an eye on expert predictions and zeroing in on the most interesting matchups could give you an edge.
Confidence pools? They’re tricky, but a little strategy goes a long way. Honestly, it’s all about staying curious, making your picks, and enjoying the chaos that comes with bowl season.
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