College Football Bowl Odds: Lines, Spreads, Trends on Biggest Games

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

18 minute read

The College Football bowl odds market has several interesting matchups. At least as long as no more teams – or standout players – opt out of playing those games, as Notre Dame did.

It's a big New Year's Eve in college football bowl game odds for non-CFP matchups, including: Michigan vs. Texas in the Citrus Bowl; and Nebraska vs. Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Here’s everything you need to know about the college football odds bowl games market: opening lines, spreads and betting trends for the biggest games, as multiple oddsmakers provide insights on college football bowl odds and action.

(Feature image: Rick Osentoski/Imagn Images)

2025 College Football Odds for Bowl Games

Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs. Texas Odds

• Opening point spread: Texas -5.5
• Opening moneyline: Texas -260/Michigan +220
• Opening total: Over/Under 46.5 points scored
• Time: 3 p.m. ET Wednesday, Dec. 31 (ABC)

GAME DAY UPDATE: With kickoff inside 30 minutes, Texas is a 4.5-point favorite in BetMGM's college football bowl game odds. That matches the opening number from way back on Dec. 7.

However, that's well off the high point of Longhorns -7.5 seen much of the time from Dec. 11-28. And Texas began New Year's Eve at -7.

"This line has been all over the place. Sharps have been hammering Michigan today. We'll need Texas to cover -5.5 up to -7.5," BetMGM trading manager Seamus Magee said.

The total is at its peak of 49.5, arriving there earlier this afternoon, after opening at 46.5 and sitting at 48.5 since Dec. 23. Magee said there's not much of a decision on the total, however.

FIRST UPDATE: As of 1 p.m. ET Tuesday, Texas is -7 (-115) at DraftKings, moving off -7.5 (-105) Monday afternoon. Three weeks ago, the Longhorns opened -4.5, then steadily climbed to -7.5 by Dec. 13. The line briefly peaked at -8.5 multiple times on Friday.

It's all Texas in early spread action, at 75% of bets/88% of money.

DraftKings' total is at its high point of 48.5, toggling between 48.5/47.5 a few times over the past week. The number opened at 46.5 and bottomed out at 45.5 on Dec. 10-11. Ticket count is dead even and 64% of money is on the Over.

OPENING ODDS UPDATE: With two programs full of great athletes, and one in all sorts of turmoil at the moment, make sure you keep an eye on opt-outs/transfer portal/injury news in the Action Network link at the top of this report.

Texas (9-3 SU/4-7-1 ATS) had a strong argument to be included in the CFP. The Longhorns beat CFP invitees Oklahoma and Texas A&M, and played tough in a season-opening 14-7 loss at Ohio State.

In the regular-season finale, Texas topped A&M 27-17 as a 2.5-point home underdog.

Michigan (9-3 SU/4-8 ATS) is roiled in chaos at the moment, after firing coach Sherrone Moore on Dec. 10 for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Moore followed that news by getting jailed for an alleged assault.

So again, opt-outs/transfer portal news could be coming here.

The Wolverines ended the regular season with a 27-9 loss getting 9 points at home vs. archrival Ohio State. That ended a five-game SU run for Michigan.

For the Citrus Bowl, Circa Sports opened Texas -5.5. As you might expect, with all the bad news coming out of Michigan, this number went to Longhorns -6/-6.5 Wednesday, then got to 7.5 Friday.

The total is down to 45.5 from a 46.5 opener.

Betting on college football? First, make sure you check out the Fanatics Sportsbook promo.

Las Vegas Bowl: Nebraska vs. Utah Odds

• Opening point spread: Utah -14.5
• Opening moneyline: Utah -710/Nebraska +525
• Opening total: Over/Under 49.5 points scored
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, Dec. 31 (ESPN)

GAME DAY UPDATE: With 45 minutes until kickoff, Utah is -14.5 (-105) at BetMGM. That's up a tick from the Dec. 7 opener of Utes -14, but well off the -17 high point of Dec. 14, and the number actually bottomed out at -13.5 briefly earlier today.

"Not a big handle on this game. Sharp interest pushed this back [near] the opening number, but there's no real need," BetMGM trading manager Seamus Magee said.

The total is at 50.5 (Over -115), moving off the high point of 51.5 (Over -115) earlier today, after opening at 49.5 and spending most of the past three weeks at 50.5. Magee indicated the need on the total is negligible.

FIRST UPDATE: This line has seen some zig-zag movement over the past three-plus weeks. Utah is a 14-point Las Vegas Bowl favorite in DraftKings' college football bowl game odds. The Utes opened -13.5 and got -16.5 from Dec. 12-22.

Utah then backed up to -15.5 Dec. 23 and -14.5/-14 on Friday. Spread tickets and money are in the 2/1 range on the Utes, as of 1 p.m. ET Tuesday.

DK's total is at a high point of 51.5, moving off 50.5 Monday. The number has been at some iteration of 50.5 most of the past three-plus weeks, though it briefly dipped to 49.5 early on. Ticket count is almost dead even, but 80% of money is on the Over.

OPENING ODDS UPDATE: Utah (10-2 SU/8-4 ATS) was certainly in the hunt for the Big 12 title and a potential CFP bid this season. The Utes head to the Las Vegas Bowl on a five-game SU run, though they failed to cash in their last two outings.

In the Week 14 finale, Utah beat Kansas 31-21, just short of cashing as 10.5-point road chalk. In the four games prior to that, the Utes scored 45 points or more all four times.

Nebraska (7-5 SU/4-7-1 ATS) lost its final two games and three of its last four. In Week 14, the Huskers were 5.5-point home pups vs. Iowa and got trucked 40-16.

Circa Sports opened Utah -14 on Dec. 8, and this line continued going north from there. The Utes made stops at -15/-16 on Dec. 9, then went to -17 Friday. The total went straight from 49.5 to 51.5 on Dec. 9, and it's been steady at 51 since Friday.

Before you bet on college football, check out the latest BetMGM Bonus Code.

ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa vs. Vanderbilt Odds

• Opening point spread: Vanderbilt -3.5
• Opening moneyline: Vanderbilt -225/Iowa +195
• Opening total: Over/Under 49.5 points scored
• Time: Noon ET Wednesday, Dec. 31 (ESPN)

GAME DAY UPDATE: Thirty minutes before kickoff, Vanderbilt has plunged to a 3-point favorite, a 2.5-point drop just this morning in BetMGM's college football bowl game odds. The Commodores opened -5.5 on Dec. 7 and briefly dipped as low as -4 within minutes.

But most of the past three-plus weeks has seen a toggling between Vandy -4.5/-5.5. Until today.

"Sharps have been all over Iowa today. The line was Vandy -5.5 this morning and has moved all the way to Vandy -3," BetMGM trading manager Seamus Magee said. "The public has liked Iowa, as well. So we're gonna need Vandy to cover as high as -5.5.

"There has been some buyback on Vandy -3, but Vandy covering is still a good outcome for the book. We would also like to see Under 45.5."

The total is now at 46.5 (Over -115), up from a 45.5 low point, but down from the 49.5 opener.

SECOND UPDATE: A day before the ReliaQuest Bowl, Vanderbilt is 5.5-point chalk in DraftKings' college football bowl odds. Way back on Dec. 7, the Commodores opened -4, then shot to -6 within a day. Vandy peaked at -6.5 on Dec. 15, then made its way back down -4 on Sunday.

Monday brought upward moves to Vanderbilt -4.5/-5.5.

All that movement noted, it's very much two-way action on the spread. Tickets and money are nearly dead even, with the slightest lean toward the Commodores, as of 1 p.m. ET Tuesday.

DK's total is at its low point of 46.5. It moved there Saturday, after spending most of the past three weeks at various iterations of 47.5, down from the 49.5 opener. The Under is seeing 54% of bets/69% of money.

OPENING ODDS UPDATE: Vanderbilt (10-2 SU and ATS) had a dream season that nearly netted a CFP bid. In the Week 14 finale, the Commodores went to Knoxville and thumped Tennessee 45-24 catching 2.5 points.

Vandy, led by Heisman candidate QB Diego Pavia, has the second-best spread-covering mark in the nation.

Iowa (8-4 SU/8-3-1 ATS) finished the regular season with a big win over regional rival Nebraska. The Hawkeyes rolled to a 40-16 victory giving 5.5 points on the road.

ReliaQuest Bowl odds have seen notable movement since Circa Sports opened Vanderbilt -3.5 on Dec. 8. The Commodores jumped straight to -5.5 Dec. 9, then went to -6 Saturday before scaling back to -5 Monday afternoon.

The total dropped from 49.5 straight to 47 on Wednesday.

Alamo Bowl: USC vs. TCU Odds

• Opening point spread: USC -6
• Opening moneyline: USC -225/TCU +195
• Opening total: Over/Under 49.5 points scored
• Time: 9 p.m. ET Tuesday, Dec. 30 (ESPN)

GAME DAY UPDATE: With kickoff 15 minutes out, USC is 4.5-point chalk in The SuperBook's college football bowl game odds. That's down 2 points from where the line began today, at Trojans -6.5.

Three-plus weeks ago, Southern Cal opened -6.5 and slowly made its way down to a low of -3.5 on Dec. 17. That was short-lived, as the line rebounded to USC -6.5 by Dec. 19, and it stuck there until today's regression.

"There are more tickets on USC and more money on TCU. And we took respected action on USC -4 and TCU +6. As of right now, we want a USC win by 7 or more," SuperBook risk manager Casey Degnon said.

The total is at 57, having just moved off 57.5, after opening at 59.5 on Dec. 8 and bottoming out at 55.5 on Dec. 18. The number stuck at 55.5 until today, getting as high as 57.5.

"Tickets and money are pretty split on the total. We'd prefer the Under, due to parlays," Degnon said.

FIRST UPDATE: The point spread saw significant fluctuation from the Dec. 7 opening through Dec. 20 in DraftKings' college football bowl odds. Southern Cal opened -5.5 and jumped to -6.5 in relatively short order, then touched -7 on Dec. 8.

But that lasted just a few hours before dipping to USC -6. From Dec. 15-18, the line dropped all the way to Trojans -3 (-118), with several stops along the way. Then it began rebounding, all the way up to USC -7 (-105) on Dec. 19, before stabilizing at -6.5 (-115).

Spread tickets and money are running 2.5/1 on the Trojans, as of 3 p.m. ET Sunday.

DK's total is at 55.5 (Under -115), arriving at that low point on Dec. 20, after opening at 58.5 and peaking early at 59.5. Tickets and money are 2/1 on the Over.

OPENING ODDS UPDATE: Southern Cal (9-3 SU/5-7 ATS) finished the regular season on a 4-1 SU run, but went just 1-4 ATS in those contests. In the finale, the Trojans beat UCLA 29-10 but fell short of cashing as a 21.5-point home favorite.

TCU (8-4 SU/6-6 ATS) won and covered in its last two games, halting a 1-4 ATS slide in the process. The Horned Frogs finished the regular season with a 45-23 rout of Cincinnati laying 3 points at home.

For the Alamo Bowl, USC is pinned to -6 in Circa Sports' college football bowl odds, with zero movement as of 5 p.m. ET Monday.

Music City Bowl: Tennessee vs. Illinois Odds

• Opening point spread: Tennessee -5
• Opening moneyline: Tennessee -210/Illinois +180
• Opening total: Over/Under 61.5 points scored
• Time: 5:30 p.m. ET Tuesday, Dec. 30 (ESPN)

GAME DAY UPDATE: An hour before kickoff, Tennessee is 3-point chalk in BetMGM's college bowl odds. Throughout Monday and today, the line toggled between Vols -3/-3.5 multiple times, most recently from -3.5 (-105) to -3 (-115) this morning.

Back on Dec. 7, this matchup opened at Tennessee -5.5, but by Dec. 15 plunged to -2.5, where it remained until going to -3 Monday.

"There's not much in this game spread-wise. We will want Illinois for an outright win," BetMGM trading manager Tristan Davis said.

The total is at a high point of 62.5 (Under -115), moving off 61.5 (Over -115) this afternoon. BetMGM opened at 61.5, bottomed out at 60.5 Dec. 10 and spent most of the past two weeks at various iterations of 61.5.

Davis said per usual, BetMGM needs the Under, but it's not a big need.

Make sure to regularly check Action Network's report for news on opt-outs, transfer portal and injuries this bowl season.

FIRST UPDATE: This line saw a lot of movement over the first 10 days it was on the board at DraftKings Sportsbook. Tennessee has been at -2.5 Dec. 16, after opening at -6.5, quickly dipping to -5.5, then spending time at -4.5/-4/-3.5/-3.

Still, it's all Vols on the spread, at 83% of bets/81% of money, as of 3 p.m. ET Sunday.

DK's total has been at 61.5 since Dec. 19, matching the opener. The number spent several days at 60.5 and a blip on the radar at 59.5 on Dec. 16. The Under is taking 59% of bets, while 74% of money is on the Over.

OPENING ODDS UPDATE: Tennessee (8-4 SU/4-7-1 ATS) couldn't beat any of the SEC big boys, losing to Georgia and Oklahoma at home and Alabama on the road. Then in Week 14, the Vols got trucked at home by Vanderbilt 45-24 as 2.5-point favorites.

Illinois (8-4 SU/7-4-1 ATS) won three of its last four games to get a Music City Bowl bid. In Week 14, the Fighting Illini beat Northwestern 20-13, pushing as 7-point home favorites.

This matchup has seen some notable movement at Circa Sports. Tennessee opened -5 on Dec. 8, dipped to -4.5 Friday, then Monday dropped to -3.5/-2.5, before steadying at -3 (-105).

The total opened at 61.5, bottomed out early at 59 and rebounded to 61 by Friday.

LSU vs. Houston Odds

• Opening point spread: Houston -3
• Opening moneyline: Houston -140/LSU +120
• Opening total: Over/Under 41.5 points scored
• Time: 9:15 p.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 27 (ESPN)

GAME DAY UPDATE: With 40 minutes until kickoff, Houston is -1.5 (-105) in DraftKings' college football bowl game odds. On Dec. 7, the Cougars opened -1.5 and went straight to -3 within a few minutes. Since then, the line has mostly been at some iteration of Houston -3.

However, it's been at Cougars -1.5 since Friday night.

Spread tickets are running dead even at DK, and spread money is close too, at 55% on Houston.

The total is at its peak of 44.5 (Under -118), with a lot of movement in the past two hours, climbing from 41.5. So the number is now approaching the 45.5 opener. The Over is taking 80% of tickets/82% of money.

LATE UPDATE: Four days before the Texas Bowl, Houston is 2.5-point chalk in Borgata Sports' college football bowl odds. The number was pinned to -3 most of the past two weeks, then went to -2.5 Wednesday morning.

LSU now has a new coach in Lane Kiffin, and though he won't coach the bowl game, he's having an impact.

With the hiring of Kiffin, you know that roster turnover will follow," Borgata sportsbook director Tom Gable said. "You won’t see the likes of QB Garrett Nussmeier, [cornerback] Mansoor Delane, [linebacker] Whit Weeks and a host of others for LSU in this game.

"Houston should have the more complete and experienced squad for this game."

The total is down to 41.5 from a 42.5 opener.

OPENING ODDS UPDATE: LSU (7-5 SU/4-8 ATS) was the Penn State of the SEC. After three losses in a four-game stretch – capped by a blowout 49-25 home setback to Texas A&M – the university blew out coach Brian Kelly.

The Tigers finished the regular season with a respectable 17-13 loss as 12.5-point pups at Oklahoma.

Houston (9-3 SU/8-4 ATS) was 7-1 SU/6-2 ATS through eight games, then split its final four outings. In Week 14, the Cougars beat Baylor 31-24 as 2.5-point road underdogs.

For the Texas Bowl, Circa opened Houston -3 and went to -2.5 on Sunday.

Virginia vs. Missouri Odds

• Opening point spread: Missouri -7.5
• Opening moneyline: Missouri -260/Virginia +220
• Opening total: Over/Under 48.5 points scored
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 27 (ABC)

GAME DAY UPDATE: With 75 minutes until kickoff, BetMGM has Missouri -4 (-105) in college football bowl game odds. The Tigers opened -7 back on Dec. 7, went to -6.5 (-115) on Dec. 9 and -5.5/-4.5 on Dec. 18. The move to Mizzou -4 came late Friday morning.

"It's not an overly popular game. But at this stage, we will be cheering for Virginia outright," BetMGM trading manager Tristan Davis said.

The total is at 44.5 (Under -115), well off the 50.5 opener, but up a point from Friday's low of 43.5.

The drops in the spread and total are largely due to Mizzou QB Beau Pribula entering the transfer portal. He's not playing tonight.

LATEST UPDATE: This line has seen a noteworthy shift, mainly because Missouri QB Beau Pribula entered the transfer portal and won't play in the Gator Bowl. Also, offensive coordinator Kirby Moore left to become Washington State's coach.

The Tigers opened as 7-point favorites at Borgata Sports and are down to -4.5, as of 1 p.m. ET Tuesday.

"We aren’t sure who will be calling the plays for Mizzou, as offensive cordinator Chip Lindsey was just added to the staff from Michigan," Borgata sportsbook director Tom Gable said. "The starting QB is true freshman Matt Zollers who made 3 starts with a 1-2 record.

"I could see this line moving even further toward Virginia before kickoff."

The total tumbled, as well, from a 50.5 opener to 44.5.

OPENING ODDS UPDATE: Virginia (10-3 SU/8-5 ATS) would've been in the CFP if it hadn't lost to Duke as a 3.5-point favorite in the ACC title game. The Cavaliers rallied from a 20-10 fourth-quarter deficit, but fell short 27-20 in overtime.

Missouri (8-4 SU/7-5) lost three of its final five games to fall out of CFP consideration. In the regular-season finale, the Tigers topped Arkansas 31-17 laying 4.5 points on the road.

For the Gator Bowl, Circa opened Missouri -7.5 and went to -6.5 a day later, on Dec. 9. There's been no movement since, as of 4 p.m. ET Monday.

Georgia Tech vs. BYU Odds

• Opening point spread: BYU -3
• Opening moneyline: BYU -185/Georgia Tech +160
• Opening total: Over/Under 55.5 points scored
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 27 (ABC)

GAME DAY UPDATE: With kickoff a couple hours out, BYU is -3.5 (-105) at BetMGM, after moving off -4 this morning. Back on Dec. 8, the Cougars opened -3 in Pop-Tarts Bowl odds, and on Dec. 9, the line advanced to -3.5/-4.5.

On Wednesday, BYU dipped to -4, ahead of this morning's move to -3.5.

"BYU has been the sharper side this week, and the public has followed suit. We'll need Georgia Tech to as high as +4," BetMGM trading manager Seamus Magee said.

The total is absolutely painted to 56.5 (Under -115), with no movement. Magee said there's not much of a decision on the total today.

LATE UPDATE: BYU is up to 4.5-point chalk in Borgata Sports' college football bowl game odds, after opening -3.

"This should be a decent matchup. BYU just missed getting into the CFP, going against a Georgia Tech team that had a very good season," Borgata sportsbook director Tom Gable said. "BYU was able to lock up coach Kalani Sitake with a contract extension.

"There are no reported opt-outs for BYU, and only three players have entered the portal on the Georgia Tech side for the Pop-Tarts Bowl thus far."

Borgata's total is at 56 from a 55.5 opener, as of Tuesday morning.

OPENING ODDS UPDATE: Both these teams were in the College Football Playoff odds conversation much of the season.

BYU (11-2 SU/9-4 ATS) endured two blowout losses to Texas Tech, which foiled its CFP hopes. In the Big 12 title game, the Cougars got drilled 34-7 getting 13.5 points

Georgia Tech (9-3 SU/7-5 ATS) dropped three of its last four games to kill its CFP bid. In the Week 14 neutral-site finale vs. Georgia, the Yellow Jackets kept it close in a rock fight, but lost 16-9 as 16.5-point underdogs.

For the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Circa Sports opened BYU -3 on Dec. 8, went straight to -5 on Dec. 9 and remains there Monday. The total is steady at 55.5.

Penn State vs. Clemson Odds

• Opening point spread: Clemson -3
• Opening moneyline: Clemson -210/Penn State +180
• Opening total: Over/Under 48.5 points scored
• Time: Noon ET Saturday, Dec. 27 (ABC)

GAME DAY UPDATE: An hour before kickoff, Clemson is -2.5 (-115) in BetMGM's college football bowl game odds. When this game opened on Dec. 7, Penn State was -1.5 (-105), but a day later, the number flipped to Clemson -2.5.

The Tigers ultimately stretched as high as -4.5 Dec. 11. By Sunday, though, the line backed up to Clemson -3, then went to -2 briefly Friday before setting at -2.5.

"Right now, the book looks pretty decent, with money coming in both ways. The best result for the book would be Clemson to win by 1 or 2. But there's nothing big in terms of a need on this one," BetMGM trading manager Seamus Magee said.

The total is at 47.5 (Under -115), after spending most of the last three weeks at various iterations of 48.5. BetMGM moved to 47.5 Friday and adjusted the juice this morning.

"There's some action on the Under due to the cold weather and snow that came yesterday. But nothing big at all," Magee said.

LATE UPDATE: As of 12:30 p.m. ET Tuesday, Clemson is laying 3 points in Borgata Sports' college football bowl odds. That's a sizable flip from the opener of Penn State -1.5.

"The irony of these two teams facing off against one another is not lost on me, in a meaningless bowl game, when they were the two hottest teams in the national title futures market going into the season," Borgata sportsbook director Tom Gable said.

Gable noted that, much like several non-playoff bowl games, the makeup of each team is quite different from the regular season. Plus, opt-outs and Penn State's coaching changes are impacting things, as well.

"Therefore, limits are lower and line movement is greater, as recreational money dries up," Gable said. "Due to our location, we will still see some local Penn State support."

While the spread has seen movement, the total is steady at 48.5.

OPENING ODDS UPDATE: Preseason/early season, Penn State was considered a legit national title contender. Clemson also took noteworthy offseason national championship action.

In fact, at BetMGM, one customer put $200,000 on Penn State +750 and $150,000 on Clemson +1300 in College Football Playoff futures odds. Those are dust in the wind, as is a $300,000 Texas +500 wager from the same bettor. (More on Texas below.)

Now, Penn State and Clemson are playing in a cold-weather-climate game two days after Christmas, in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.

Penn State (6-6 SU/4-8 ATS) fired coach James Franklin after a three straight losses from Weeks 5-7 ruined the season. The Nittany Lions lost their next three games, as well, before finishing the regular season on a three-game upswing (2-1 ATS).

In Week 14, Penn State topped Rutgers 40-36, but failed to cash as 14-point road chalk. With an interim coach in Terry Smith – Matt Campbell takes over after bowl season – captain and defensive tackle Zane Durant is among three opt-outs already, and more may be coming.

Further, Nittany Lions QB Drew Allar (broken ankle) saw his season end at the same time Franklin did, in the Week 7 loss at Northwestern.

Clemson (7-5 SU/5-7 ATS) dumped three of its first four games, all as a favorite, setting the tone for a less-than-expected season. But the Tigers are on a four-game upswing (3-1 ATS), including a 28-14 win at South Carolina catching 2.5 points in the regular-season finale.

Clemson is less impacted by opt-outs, but it's worth keeping an eye on.

Circa Sports, which has a high reputation for its college football numbers and for taking sharp money, opened Clemson as a 3-point favorite on Dec. 8. On Friday, the Tigers shot straight to -5, but then backed up to -4 Saturday and -3 Monday.

The total is steady at 48.5.

Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson