Bowl season has gotten underway and while we’ll have a few tastes here and there, the first main course comes on boxing day with four games on the calendar. Let’s take a look at each contest as well as Boxing Day Bowl games betting matchups for each one.
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs UTSA Roadrunners
Sportsbook Odds: ULL -14
Louisiana was one of the most impressive non-power conference schools this season as they finished with a record of 9-1. The Ragin’ Cajuns enter bowl season ranked No. 19, quite impressive for a team that rarely spends any time in the Top 25. The first thought might be that it’s been a weird year and they probably don’t deserve this high ranking but you’d be mistaken to think so. They beat Iowa State in the first game of the year and the Cyclones played in the Big 12 Championship Game. The Ragin’ Cajuns’ only loss was a three-point shortcoming to Coastal Carolina, which is the No. 12 team in the country.
As for UTSA, they had an up-and-down season that landed them at 7-4. It started the year with a three-game winning streak and ended the year on a three-game winning streak. In between, though, they dropped four of five. They’re probably going to be overwhelmed in this one by a good Louisiana team. Lay the points.
Boxing Day Bowl Games Betting Pick: ULL -14
Lending Tree Bowl
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Georgia State Panthers
NCAAF Betting Odds: Georgia State -3.5
Western Kentucky is 5-6 and during a normal season, wouldn’t be bowling. Georgia State is in the same realm but at least they are 5-4 on the year. The good news is that both of these teams have some momentum going into this contest. The Panthers finished the season win three wins in their last four games. Meanwhile, Western Kentucky is riding a three-game winning streak.
This game looks like a toss-up of two even squads. Take the dog in this one.
Boxing Day Bowl Games Betting Pick: Western Kentucky +3.5
FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl
Liberty Flames vs Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Odds: Coastal Carolina -7
Liberty and Coastal Carolina will be the most intriguing bowl game of the day. These are two non-power conference teams that had incredible seasons and – at times – were hoping to make the case for a bigger bowl game.
Coastal Carolina is the 12th-ranked team in the country and had hoped that a win over No. 13 BYU would elevate them to a bigger game. Instead, they’ll now have to prove themselves against a tricky Liberty team that was 9-1. Liberty was ranked at times but they lost 15-14 to NC State, which is what sunk them to this bowl.
Don’t be surprised if Liberty covers here. Coastal Carolina was probably hoping for a bigger game and might be disappointed playing here.
