NCAA Football – Bowl Games

2012-2013 Bowl Games Odds and Trends

The best college teams in the nation battle for school pride and football supremacy with 35 different bowl games slated this year. The ultimate event is the marquee match-up between the #1 and #2 teams in the country: Notre Dame vs. Alabama in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship Game. Top Bet has all the college football odds and lines—spread, moneyline and totals– available in our sportsbook. Plus you have the chance to turn $20 to $200,000 with our special NCAA Bowls Parlay Challenge.

Bowl Games Odds, Trends and ScheduleBET ON SPORTS

Two of the nation’s highest scoring teams, the Arizona Wildcats (37.3 PPG/10th) and Nevada Wolf Pack (37 PPG/20th), take the field for the first bowl game of the year. Both teams are sporting a 7-5 SU record this season. Arizona (-9.5) is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games while Nevada (+9.5) is 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 December games.

The Toledo Rockets seek consecutive bowl wins against the Utah State Aggies who are looking for their first bowl win in 19 years. Toledo (+10) is 9-2 SU in their last 11 games and 3-1 ATS in their last 4 Bowl Games. On the other hand, Utah State (-10) is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games and 10-1-1 ATS in their last 12.

It’s going to be the first meeting between old rivals BYU Cougars and the San Diego State Aztecs since 2010. BYU (-3) is 16-6 SU in their last 22 games and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 versus San Diego State (+3), who’s carrying a 5-0 SU record in their last 5 games.

The Ball State Cardinals seek their seventh straight win against the UCF Knights who have won two of their last three meetings. Ball State (+7.5) is 6-0 SU in their last 6 games and 2-0 ATS in their last 2 against UCF (-7.5). Meanwhile, UCF is 7-2 SU in their last 9 games and 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games after a SU loss.

The East Carolina Pirates and the UL Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns both ended their seasons on three-game winning streaks. East Carolina (+5.5) is 5-1 SU over their last 6 games and 7-1 ATS over their last 8 after suffering an ATS loss. UL Lafayette (-5.5) is 4-1 SU over their last 6 games and 8-2 ATS over their last 10 non-conference games.

Boise State has won the last two MAACO Bowls while Washington is set to play in their third straight bowl game. Boise State (-5.5) is 10-1 SU in their last 11 games. In the MAACO Bowl, they’ll be up against the Huskies (+5.5) who are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games and 4-1 SU after a SU win.

Needing only one win to secure the school’s best record in 11 years, the Fresno State Bulldogs battle the SMU Honolulu Mustangs in the postseason. The Mustangs are making their fourth straight bowl appearance. Fresno State (-12.5) is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games and 5-1 SU in their last 6 meetings with SMU Honolulu (+12.5), who counter with a 4-2 ATS record in those games.

The Central Michigan Chippewas closed their regular season with a three-game winning streak and will be facing the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers next. The Hilltoppers recently hired Bobby Petrino as their new head coach. Central Michigan (+5.5) is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games. Meanwhile, Western Kentucky (-5.5) is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games and 14-6 SU in their last 20.

Military Bowl will host a ranked school, #24 San Jose State Spartans, for the first time in five years. The Spartans will square-off with the Bowling Green Falcons who finished second in the MAC East Division. Bowling Green (+7.5) is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 after an ATS win while San Jose State (-7.5) is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games and 10-1 ATS in their last 11 non-conference games.

The Cincinnati Bearcats are used to playing in the postseason with this coming bowl game their sixth in seven seasons. Meanwhile, the Duke Blue Devils will make their first postseason appearance in 18 years. Cincinnati (-7.5) is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games and 4-1 SU in their last 5. They will be facing Duke (+7.5) who is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games.

The Baylor Bears average 578.8 yards per game which ranks first in the country and without the services of Robert Griffin III anymore, still managed to qualify for the postseason. On the other hand, the UCLA Bruins hope to get their tenth win in this match-up. Baylor (PK) is 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games. UCLA (PK) is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 versus teams with winning records.

The Ohio Bobcats started the season with a 7-0 record and survived four losses in their last five games to enter the postseason. Meanwhile, the ULM Warhawks began their season with a shocking upset of the #8 Arkansas Razorbacks, 34-31. Ohio (+7) is 14-5 SU in their last 19 games and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games. ULM (-7), however, is 7-2 SU in their last 7 games and 9-4 ATS in their last 13.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights almost made it into the BCS but crucial losses relegated them to this bowl game against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies made it into the postseason by winning their last two games. Rutgers (+2.5) is 10-3 SU in their last 13 games and 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 bowl games while Virginia Tech (-2.5) is 5-0 SU in their last 5 against Rutgers.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Texas Tech Red Raiders meet each other in the postseason. The Gophers are making their first bowl appearance since 2009 while the Red Raiders bring their high-scoring offense (37.8 PPG/16th). Minnesota (+13) is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games. Texas Tech (-13) is also 4-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.

The Air Force Falcons head into their sixth straight bowl game in the upcoming Armed Forces Bowl against the Rice Owls. The Owls managed to make it into the postseason after registering four straight wins to end their regular season. Air Force (-1.5) is 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS in their last 3 games versus Rice (+1.5). Rice is 5-1 SU and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games.

The Syracuse Orange and the West Virginia Mountaineers play each other for the 60^th time. Syracuse (+4) is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games while West Virginia (-4) is 8-2 SU in their last 10 games against Syracuse.

The Arizona State Sun Devils have their first winning season since 2007 while the Navy Midshipmen just had a sweet come-from-behind win over rival Army. Arizona (PK) is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games on grass while Navy (PK) is 7-1 SU in their last 8 games.

Both these teams started out fine in the early part of the year– Texas had a 4-0 start while Oregon State jumped to 6-0 before faltering the rest of the way. The Longhorns (+2) are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. PAC-12 teams but the Beavers (-2) are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games against teams with a winning record.

Two defensive teams look to end the season on a high note after failing to live up to regular season expectations. Michigan State was third in yards allowed (273.2) and 7^th in points allowed (16.3) while TCU is led by defensive end Devonte Fields (Big 12 defensive player of the year). The Michigan State Spartans (+3) are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following an ATS win while the TCU Horned Frogs (-3) are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games after a SU loss.

In a virtual home game for Vanderbilt, they’ll play an NC State squad who has struggled on the road this season going 1-3 SU away from home. However, the Wolfpack (+7) are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 bowl appearances. Meanwhile, the Commodores (-7) are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

The last time these teams met was in 1973 when USC beat Georgia Tech, 23-6. This season both teams have respectable offenses: Tech averages 32.5 PPG (31^st in the nation) and USC 34.2 PPG (32^nd). The Trojans (-10) are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 bowl appearances but the Yellow Jackets (+10) are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

Tulsa (PK) won its first Conference USA title since 2005 after defeating UCF in the conference championship. Meanwhile, Iowa (PK) is going into this game 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games. The Cyclones (PK) are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after an ATS loss.

Two “Tigers” both with 10 wins against 2 losses meet in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. It’s a classic offense-vs.-defense match-up too: Clemson is 4th in the nation in scoring (42.5 PPG) while LSU is 8th in points allowed (16.5 OPPG). Clemson (+3.5) is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall while LSU (-3.5) is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 bowl appearances.

Oklahoma State lost its final two games while Purdue lost their head coach after the regular season. The Boilermakers (+17) are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games but the Cowboys (-17) are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.

The Wildcats are one of the best in the nation in beating the spread: they are 11-1 ATS this year including 6 straight to end the regular season. Northwestern (+2) is also aiming for its first bowl win since 1949. Mississippi State (-2) showed flashes of brilliance early in the regular season winning seven consecutive games SU and ATS.

Both Georgia and Nebraska lost their respective league title games but still carry a 6-1 SU record in their last 7 games going into this game. The Cornhuskers (+10) led by running back Rex Burkhead are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games against teams with winning records; while the Bulldogs (-10) featuring quarterback Aaron Murray have a similar 4-1 ATS record in their last 5 games, also against winning teams.

Stanford was one of the best teams in November with 5 quality wins against ranked opponents. They’ll be up against a Wisconsin team who had a dominating victory over Nebraska in the Big 10 championship game. The Cardinal are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against teams with winning records and 10-1 ATS in their last 11 non-conference games while the Badgers are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games after an ATS win.

ACC champions versus MAC champions in the Orange Bowl where Northern Illinois’s 41.2 PPG average (7^th in the nation) will be pitted against Florida State’s #7 scoring defense (15.08 PPG). The Huskies (+13.5) are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. ACC teams and 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games against teams with winning records. Meanwhile, the Seminoles (-13.5) are 7-0-1 ATS in their last 8 bowl appearances.

This is expected to be a defensive battle as both teams are inside the Top 15 in limiting their opponents’ offensive production: Michigan only allows 18.8 PPG and South Carolina concedes 18.4 PPG. When pitted against teams from other conferences, the Gamecocks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6. Meanwhile the Wolverines are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after a SU and ATS loss.

Florida has an 11-1 SU record in the regular season including four quality wins against opposition who are in the Top 12 of the final BCS Standings. Louisville qualified for the Sugar Bowl after beating Rutgers in the Big East conference championship. The Gators (-13.5) are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 bowl appearances but the Cardinals (+13.5) are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games against teams with winning records.

A cancelled scheduled meeting earlier in the season just adds hype and intrigue to the second-best BCS bowl game this season. Both Kansas State and Oregon ranked amongst the top offenses in the nation: Oregon was 2nd in scoring with 49.7 PPG average and Kansas State was 11th at 39.7 PPG. The Ducks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall while the Wildcats are 6-1-1 in their last 8 games after a SU win.

Two teams known for high-powered offenses meet in the Cotton Bowl. Texas averages 42.0 PPG (4th in the nation) and 565.3 YPG (3rd) while Oklahoma logs in 37.6 PPG (13th) and 490.9 YPG (12th). The Aggies (-4.5) are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games but the Sooners (+4.5) are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games versus Texas A&M.

Pittsburgh is in its 3rd consecutive bowl game while Ole Miss is appearing in the postseason for the first time since 2009. The Panthers (+3.5) are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. teams from other conferences. Meanwhile, the Rebels (-3.5) are 3-0-1 in their last 4 at neutral site games and 7-2 in their last 9 games overall.

Kent State will appear in its first bowl game in 40 years while Arkansas State returns after a 2012 GoDaddy.com Bowl stint. The Red Wolves (-4) finished the regular season on a 7-game winning streak and 5-0 ATS in the last 5. Golden Flashes (+4) finished the season 11-2 SU and 10-2-1 ATS.

Two teams with rich football traditions meet in the BCS National Championship Game featuring #1 Notre Dame and #2 Alabama. The Irish are looking to win their first championship in 24 years while the Tide are aiming for their third national title in four years.

Both teams are ranked atop the defensive rankings as well. Notre Dame is #1 holding opponents to just 10.3 PPG and Alabama is #2 conceding just 11.6 PPG. Alabama is 12-1 SU for the year and has gone 4-1 ATS in their last 5 bowl appearances. Notre Dame is undefeated this season with a 12-0 SU record.