• The 2024-25 College Football Bowl schedule is set, with odds now available for all 44 matchups
• Alabama is nearly a two-touchdown favorite over Michigan in a CFP semifinal rematch at the ReliaQuest Bowl
• The full slate of 2024-25 College Football Bowl Game odds, previews and predictions are below

Bowl season has arrived, signaling the pinnacle of the college football calendar! The excitement begins on December 14th with the Salute to Veterans Bowl, kicking off a jam-packed schedule featuring a bowl game on 20 of the next 37 days, all the way through to the National Championship on January 20th.

Many games are scheduled for the afternoon and evening, making it the ideal time to wrap up work early and enjoy some CFB festivities.

Read on for a complete rundown of the opening college football bowl lines from our CFB odds page, along with exclusive early predictions for the biggest matchups.

2024-25 College Football Bowl Game Odds

One of the tightest spreads in the early bowl odds is the Alamo Bowl, where Colorado is favored by 2.5 points over BYU in a Big 12 vs Big 12 matchup. The ReliaQuest Bowl projects to be the most lopsided, with Alabama a heavy -13.5-point favorite over Michigan.

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All odds as of December 8, 2024 at FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Use the FanDuel promo code to wager on college football bowl action.

Alabama vs Michigan Betting Line & Prediction

#11 Alabama and unranked Michigan square off in a rematch of last year’s CFP semifinal at the Rose Bowl. The opening betting line has the Crimson Tide as large -13.5 favorites, with the over/under set at 46 points.

Alabama is coming off a solid 9-3 season under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, but missed out on the CFP after a surprising blowout loss to Oklahoma. The Wolverines pulled off an upset of their own in Week 14, though, beating Ohio State for the fourth straight year.

MICHIGAN DELIVERS AN ALL-TIME UPSET AT THE HORSESHOE! UNBELIEVABLE! pic.twitter.com/6wucLsumPh

— ESPN BET (@ESPNBET) November 30, 2024

For my Alabama vs Michigan prediction, I like the Tide to get some revenge after last year’s Rose Bowl loss. QB Jalen Milroe is a true dual-threat (2,652 pass yds, 719 rush yds, 35 total TDs) that will give the Michigan defense fits. The Wolverines could also be without some key players like DT Mason Graham, who may opt out to prepare for the NFL draft.

Yes, Michigan ended the year strong and will be motivated to prove the team is trending in the right direction. But in DeBoer’s quick-strike offense and with superior talent across the board, I expect Bama to roll to a two-touchdown victory in the Sunshine State.

• Pick: Alabama -1.5 (-110)

BYU vs Colorado Odds & Betting Pick

The Alamo Bowl landed a juicy Big 12 vs Big 12 matchup, with #17 BYU taking on #20 Colorado. The Buffaloes are narrow 2.5-point favorites, with an over/under of 53.5 points.

This will be the first meeting between the programs since 1988, a gap of 36 years. Both teams finished 7-2 in Big 12 play, as part of a four-way tie for the conference crown. With identical records, the Alamo Bowl opted for the bigger brand in Colorado.

https://twitter.com/GloryColorado/status/1732845196288460899

In making our BYU vs Colorado pick, the Buffs have a couple key edges that make them the smart play under a field goal. Coach Deion Sanders is undefeated in bowl games, and both his offensive and defensive units rank in the top 25 nationally in terms of efficiency.

Colorado also has the clear talent advantage, with Shedeur Sanders (3,926 pass yds, 35 TD) tossing to Heimsan favorite Travis Hunter (1,152 rec yds, 14 TD). Despite Hunter and Sanders being projected first-round draft picks, Sanders has already stated both players are expected to suit up against BYU.

The Cougars had a nice bounce-back year in their Big 12 debut, but asking them to upset a team as complete as Colorado is a bit much. Expect lots of fireworks in San Antonio, with the Buffs ultimately prevailing something like 38-31.

• Pick: Colorado -2.5 (-105)
• Pick: Over 53.5 Points (-110)

Ole Miss vs Duke Betting Odds & Prediction

The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl features an intriguing interconference showdown between #14 Ole Miss (9-3) and 9-3 Duke. The Rebels are 2.5-point favorites at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, with the total sitting at just 42.5 points.

These teams have never faced off before, adding to the intrigue of an SEC vs ACC clash. The Blue Devils closed the year on a three-game win streak under first-year head man Manny Diaz, finishing 5-3 in conference play.

Meanwhile, Ole Miss looked like CFP contenders after taking down Georgia in November. But they spit the bit with an inexplicable loss at Florida and had to settle for a second-tier bowl instead.

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Bound!@taxslayerbowl | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/snvhNofPqf

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 8, 2024

When analyzing this marchup, motivation is a huge factor working in Duke’s favor. The Blue Devils would love to cap off Diaz’s debut season with a signature win over an SEC foe. The Rebels, on the other hand, could struggle to get up for this game after their CFP hopes were dashed.

On the field, Duke’s stingy defense (22.2 ppg allowed, 2nd in ACC) is well-equipped to slow down the Ole Miss attack. The Blue Devils also have a more balanced offense that should be able to control the clock and keep the Rebels’ playmakers on the sideline.

With Ole Miss possibly suffering a post-Georgia hangover and the Blue Devils peaking at the right time, I like the small dog to spring a mild upset. Diaz’s team has the second-longest active bowl winning streak in FBS (5), and I’m not betting on them slowing down here.

• Pick: Duke +2.5 (-110)

Those are our early betting previews for three of the most high-profile non-New Year’s Six bowl games. Motivation is always tricky to handicap this time of year, with opt-outs and letdown spots galore. But by focusing on the fundamentals and matchups, bettors can still find an edge.

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