CFB Week 2 Bowl Games: Tips and Picks Across the Sports Media Industry
Delivering quick insights, curated from experts and insiders from outlets such as CBS, ESPN, The Athletic, USA Today, SB Nation, and more.
Welcome to this week’s CFB Pulse, your ultimate source for expert CFB picks, predictions, and in-depth analysis from professionals across the media industry. Whether you're a fan or a seasoned bettor, we’re here to offer concise insights and overviews for each game, ensuring you're well-informed throughout this thrilling CFB season.
Betting Terminology (learn more here):
SU = Straight Up Winner
ATS = Against the [Points] Spread
Total = Over or Under Total Points
% = Industry Consensus
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl - Georgia Tech Vs. UCF • 12/22 @ 6:30 pm
• Winner: UCF Knights (69%)
• Spread: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets +5.5 (52%)
• Total Points: Under 67.5 (57%)
David Kenyon, Bleacher Report - “Theoretically, this should be one of the higher-scoring bowls. Each offense has averaged 31-plus points, and the defenses have yielded at least 25 per game. Both teams prefer to run the ball, though, so the clock may not actually be stopping much. UCF holds the slightest of edges due to Georgia Tech's red-zone defense, which is 115th nationally in opponent touchdown rate while UCF is 39th.”
David Kenyon's Pick: UCF Knights 31-23
76 Birmingham Bowl - Troy Vs. Duke • 12/23 @ 12:00 pm
• Winner: Troy Trojans (77%)
• Spread: Troy Trojans -7.5 (63%)
• Total Points: Under 44.5 (75%)
David Kenyon, Bleacher Report - “Duke clearly has the talent to win. Considering the changes happening in Durham, however, it's a great opportunity for Troy to sneak in a Power Five victory. Duke's late-season issues stopping the run aren't reassuring for a clash with Kimani Vidal, the nation's No. 3 rusher.”
David Kenyon's Prediction: Troy Trojans 24-20
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl - JMU Vs. Air Force • 12/23 @ 3:30 pm
• Winner: JMU Dukes (71%)
• Spread: JMU Dukes -1.5 (54%)
• Total Points: Over 40.5 (60%)
Bryan Fischer, Fox Sports - “This just might be one of the best matchups among the Group of 5 teams, pitting two programs that were in the mix to nab that New Year’s Six berth. Curt Cignetti’s departure for Indiana puts a bit of a damper on things, but this still should be a fun meeting.”
Bryan Fischer’s Prediction: Air Force wins (take the moneyline)
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl - Utah Vs. Northwestern • 12/23 @ 7:30 pm
• Winner: Utah Utes (94%)
• Spread: Northwestern Wildcats +6.5 (52%)
• Total Points: Under 41.5 (80%)
Bryan Fischer, Fox Sports - “One of the nation’s longest tenured head coaches (Kyle Whittingham) meets one of the newest after David Braun had his interim tag taken off. Who knows the state of the rosters in this one, but expect a close one in Sin City decided by a few key trick plays.”
Bryan Fischer’s Prediction: Utah wins (take the moneyline)
Easypost Hawai’i Bowl - Coastal Carolina Vs. San Jose State • 12/23 @ 10:30 pm
• Winner: San Jose State Spartans (85%)
• Spread: San Jose State Spartans -10 (56%)
• Total Points: Over 52.5 (100%)
David Kenyon, Bleacher Report - “Coastal Carolina has ridden the QB carousel since an injury to Grayson McCall, who is now transferring to North Carolina State. On the other side, SJSU's Chevan Cordeiro—a sixth-year quarterback from Honolulu and a 2022 transfer from Hawaii—gets a homecoming for his college finale. Behind him and a surging rushing attack, San Jose State secures its seventh straight win after a 1-5 start.”
David Kenyon's Prediction: San Jose State Spartans 37-27
We hope you enjoy this week’s games and see you again next Sunday!
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Until next time,
Team TS