I went 3-2 overall during my first segment of the bowl game Group of Five best bets. I’m kicking myself for going against Western Kentucky, which throttled South Alabama. The Hilltoppers are better than I gave them credit for this season, and they could be solid again in 2023.
The 3-2 week of bets moves me to 40-35 (53.3%) on the season. Not terrible, but also nothing to write home about!
Let’s check out the college football betting odds and wrap up the season with five final picks from bowl games involving Group of Five programs.
Wyoming +1 vs. Ohio
The Cowboys have exceeded expectations this season, and I like them to wrap up their season with a bowl victory. They’ve lost some solid players to the transfer portal, but they play decent defense and should keep this game competitive throughout. Ohio is without starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke, one of the best players in the MAC. Give me the Cowboys in a close, low-scoring game.
ECU -7 vs. Coastal Carolina
I can’t bet on Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers ended the season with losses to JMU and Troy that came by a combined 59 points. East Carolina could use a bowl win to cap off Mike Houston’s best season leading the Pirates, and they should be fired up to compete in a bowl game for the first time since 2015. They qualified for a bowl game last season, but the game was canceled at the last minute.
Georgia Southern -5.5 vs. Buffalo
I love Georgia Southern’s offense under Clay Helton, and quarterback Kyle Vantrease should be extremely motivated facing his old team. Georgia Southern feels like a team on the rise in the Sun Belt, beating JMU and Appalachian State this fall. I see them capping off their season with a bowl victory, and I think they can win by a touchdown or more. Buffalo failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games this season.
Memphis -7 vs. Utah State
Utah State underwhelmed this season. Entering the season I had higher expectations, but the Aggies were average all year. While Memphis didn’t achieve anything special this fall, the Tigers played well at the end of the season. Memphis lost one-possession games to Houston, ECU, UCF, and SMU. The Tigers are better than their 6-6 record reflects, and I think they’ll end bowl season with a quality showing.
USC -2.5 vs. Tulane
Tulane put together a special season, and I’ll likely be pulling for the Green Wave against the Trojans, but I can’t bring myself to bet Tulane. Caleb Williams is as dynamic as any quarterback in college football, and Tulane hasn’t faced a quarterback of his caliber this season. While Tulane certainly stands a chance and will likely be slightly more motivated, I’ll bet on USC’s overall talent to prevail by a field goal or more.
Bennett Conlin is a college football contributor for HERO Sports, and he works full-time covering sports betting industry news and legislation for Sports Handle and US Bets.
