Tue Dec 23 18:10:00 UTC 2025: News Article:

Bowl Season Betting: Navigating Line Shifts and Roster Changes with Expert Picks

As college football bowl season kicks off, the betting landscape is a volatile mix of shifting odds, roster uncertainties, and coaching changes. Expert Pamela Maldonado cautions bettors against chasing steam, emphasizing the importance of discipline over FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). “If you don’t get the best of the number, let it go,” Maldonado advises, reminding bettors of the abundance of future opportunities.

Maldonado has released her first set of picks, focusing on games following the holiday break, with odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook:

  • December 26, 1:00 PM ET: CMU Chippewas (+10.5) vs. Northwestern Wildcats – Maldonado believes the matchup makes this a close margin game. While CMU has weaknesses, Northwestern’s offense, ranked 76th in EPA per play, isn’t explosive enough to consistently cover a large spread. She anticipates a low-possession, run-heavy game where CMU can keep it close.

  • December 27, 3:30 PM ET: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+4.5) vs. BYU Cougars – Maldonado is backing Georgia Tech, citing their more efficient offense (18th in EPA per play) led by quarterback Haynes King. While BYU excels at defense and pace control, their strategy of compressing possessions may not be enough against a top-20 offensive team, according to Maldonado.

  • December 27, 7:30 PM ET: Virginia Cavaliers (+165 Money Line) vs. Missouri Tigers – With Missouri’s quarterback Beau Pribula out due to injury, Maldonado sees an opportunity for Virginia. Pribula’s absence makes Missouri more one-dimensional and run-dependent, playing into Virginia’s defensive strengths. She believes that Missouri will not be able to force Virginia into inefficient passing volume like Duke did.

Maldonado will continue to release her bowl season picks, so bettors should check back for updated insights. Remember, a good process of discipline and a calculated approach is key to navigating the unpredictable nature of bowl season betting.

Read More