B/R Betting Locks: College Football Bowl Games, Part 1

Things are different now. The college football December you once knew is long gone, and an entirely new ritual is now in place.

In less than two weeks, there will be playoff games. More pressing, the bowl season essentially begins, well, now. Things aren't worse than they once were. In fact, it's quite the contrary.

More football means we have more games to wager on, and wager we shall.

First, some housekeeping. Locks of the Week will turn its attention to bowl games between December 14 and December 24. Please note, Army and Navy is also included in this, and we're thrilled that this game is yet to be played.

The following week, we'll move our attention to the College Football Playoff before jumping back into the bowl season, then back to the playoff, then the bowl season and the national championship.

In short, every game—no matter the stakes—will be analyzed. While we love and appreciate the expanded postseason, the bowl season should be celebrated and appreciated as much as possible.

Before we get into the picks, here's one piece of advice. As the transfer portal fills up with names and the opt-outs are decided, make sure to keep an eye on teams and the many roster movements that transpire.

The ever-changing landscape of the sport has made betting on bowls a challenge. Although it's a challenge we will gladly accept.

Still, keep your head on a swivel.

With that, we're onto picks. Be sure to check back regularly for more.

For the latest spreads on futures and games, head to DraftKings.

Before we can officially graduate to the bowl season, there's still business to tend to. One of the greatest matchups the sport has to offer has yet to be played, and it will feature two excellent teams that have played excellent football over the past three-plus months.

Army's excellence culminated on Friday in an AAC Championship. The Black Knights were brilliant against Tulane, cruising to a 35-14 win. Quarterback Bryson Daily, who has been a force all year, was one yet again. As was running back Kanye Udoh.

Both players should be a factor once again against Navy, which finished the season at 8-3. It should be noted, however, that the Midshipmen lost three of the last five games. (Granted, two of those losses came to Notre Dame and Tulane.)

This one doesn't require a ton of significant analysis. Army is simply better. While Navy has proved to be plenty capable, the Black Knights, powered by their stars, will earn a 12th win in convincing fashion.

What a matchup. What a rivalry. Can't wait.

Although West Virginia made a coaching change, recent history in bowl games tells us that all hope isn't lost.

Interim coaches know plenty about coaching bowl games. For further history, go back and look at the bowl season over the past 10 years. There have been some hits. There have been some misses. Such is life as a temporary college football coach.

Although West Virginia finished 6-6, that record requires context. The out-of-conference schedule included games against Penn State and Pitt, and the Big 12 conference slate was much deeper and feistier than expected.

Memphis had more ups than downs this year, losing just two games. The final performance, a 34-24 win over Tulane, was perhaps most impressive of all. But playing a Group of Four team with a Group of Four roster—albeit one in a bit of disarray—will be a different story entirely.

On the topic of interim coaches, enter UNLV. Head coach Barry Odom, the man who helped resurrect this program, is now the head man at Purdue.

Less than a week ago, the Rebels were competing in what was essentially a playoff game against Boise State. Now, it'll have to fill an enormous void after two wildly successful years.

But all hope is not lost.

While Cal will serve as a capable foe—especially on offense—UNLV has plenty of pieces on both sides of the ball to win as a small underdog. The Rebels finished the regular season with the nation's No. 14 ranked offense, and they'll need all of it against a team that can post points.

Plus, Cal has been hit hard by the transfer portal in recent days causing the line to bounce around. It cannot be stated enough; don't miss out on the news as it comes through.

The beginning of the season was nothing short of a nightmare for UTSA.

The Roadrunners began the year 2-4, and the season felt all but lost. Down the stretch, however, this team found life, headlined by wins against Memphis and North Texas.

Even the final game, a hard-fought loss against Army, highlighted just how much growth this team had made over the course of a few months. And there's no reason why that growth won't continue now.

If you've read this column in the past, you know by now we've faded Coastal Carolina much of the year. It's just worked out that way, though the decision hasn't always worked out.

Is that stopping us from moving forward with this bet? Absolutely not.

Coastal Carolina lost five of its final seven games, which speaks to how it trended near the end. UTSA keeps its momentum rolling with a double-digit win.

More important than the outcome of this game is when it's being played.

The Hawai'i Bowl, thankfully, is back on Christmas Eve. As if you needed an additional reason to ignore annoying family members on a busy evening, you now have one. This game should always be played on this very night. Period.

As for the game itself, well, it's actually not bad.

South Florida's offense seemed to find life at the end of the season, although USF lost its final game to Rice. San Jose State followed up tough losses against Boise State and UNLV with a tight win against Stanford in the regular season finale.

With a total that is already over 60 points, this one is likely to feature plenty of scoring. And although South Florida has showcased an ability to score, San Jose State played better against superior teams, and that should pay dividends.

Each and every Hawai'i Bowl is a blessing, although this one has a chance to truly deliver.

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Sam Houston (+6) vs. Georgia Southern

I love the way this Sam Houston team has played, and it has a chance to surprise as a smallish underdog in a really good spot.

StaffDNA Cure Bowl: Jacksonville State vs. Ohio (Over 54)

Both teams were awfully impressive last week in championship games, and that offensive success should carry through once more.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Fresno State (+3) vs. Northern Illinois

The mascot for this football game is terrifying. The matchup is not. Fresno State is an underrated team heading into the bowl season, and it shows it here.