2021 College Football Bowls First Round Betting Picks

By Hank Blaine • December 7, 2021

The 2021-2022 College Bowl Season kicks off on Friday, Dec. 17 when Middle Tennessee takes on Toledo in the Bahamas Bowl. On the same day, Northern Illinois battles Coastal Carolina. On Saturday, Dec. 18, teams like Appalachian State, Liberty, and Oregon State are in action. So is #23 Louisiana, which must beat Marshall in the New Orleans Bowl without coach Billy Napier. Check out NitroBetting odds, analysis, and free picks for the first round of college bowls.

Be sure to check out the latest 2021 College Football odds and lines at our online Bitcoin sportsbook before placing your bets this season!

Top 2021 College Football Bowls First Round Games to Bet On

The College Football Playoff is set and the bowls are next to be seated. https://t.co/AG9wgryikg
— WNCT (@wnct9) December 5, 2021

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. Toledo Rockets // Bahamas Bowl

When: Friday, December 17th, 12:00pm ET
Where: Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Nassau, The Bahamas
2021 Bahamas Bowl Odds: Toledo -10

Middle Tennessee finished their season losing to Old Dominion and beating Florida Atlantic. The Blue Raiders must step it up if they hope to keep this one close. Toledo averages 34.2 points per while allowing close to 21 each game. The Rockets ended their season with three straight wins and covers. Toledo can get ahead early and never look back.

2021 Bahamas Bowl Pick: Toledo Rockers

Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers // Cure Bowl

When: Friday, December 17th, 6:00pm ET
Where: Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Florida
2021 Cure Bowl Odds: Coastal Carolina -10

On Dec. 4, Northern Illinois beat Kent State for this season’s MAC title. The Huskies are rolling into this game. Coastal Carolina isn’t. The Chanticleers finished their season going 1-5 against the spread. Coastal Carolina struggled versus such power house squads like Georgia State and South Alabama. The spread makes the Chanticleers an underlay.

2021 Cure Bowl Pick: Northern Illinois Huskies

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Appalachian State Mountaineers // Boca Raton Bowl

When: Saturday, December 18th, 11:00am ET
Where: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Florida
2021 Boca Raton Bowl Odds: Appalachian State -2.5

App State gave it their all in the Sun Belt Championship. It wasn’t enough as Louisiana sent coach Billy Napier off to Florida with a victory. The Mountaineers are still one of the better non-Power 5 Conference teams in the country. Western Kentucky, though, heads into this on fire. Sure, Texas-San Antonio beat the Hilltoppers in their last game. But before the loss, Western Kentucky had run off 5 straight wins and covers. Also, how motivated will App State be after losing the Sun Belt title?

2021 Boca Raton Bowl Pick: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Liberty Flames // LendingTree Bowl

When: Saturday, December 18th, 5:45pm ET
Where: Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Alabama
2021 LendingTree Bowl Odds: Liberty -9

Eastern Michigan is a decent team, but they’re up against it in this. Liberty quarterback Malik Willis projects as a first-round pick. The Flames, though, haven’t scored more than 16 points in their last 3 games. But those contests were against #8 Ole Miss, #23 Louisiana, and Army. The loss to the Black Knights is the only one we can question. Liberty should score at will versus an Eastern Michigan squad that gave up 31 to Central Michigan in their last game.

2021 LendingTree Bowl Pick: Liberty Flames

Utah State Aggies vs. Oregon State Beavers // LA Bowl

When: Saturday, December 18th, 7:30pm ET
Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
2021 LA Bowl Odds: Oregon State -7

Mountain West Champion Utah State is no pushover. The Aggies finished their season going 6-1 ATS and SU. But Oregon State hung with Oregon in their last and beat ASU in the game before. The Beavers are a decent Power 5 team. Still, it’s hard to trust a team that loses to both Colorado and Cal, two of the worst teams in the mediocre Pac-12. Taking the points looks like the smart move.

2021 LA Bowl Pick: Utah State Aggies

#23 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Marshall Thundering Herd // New Orleans Bowl

When: Saturday, December 18th, 7:30pm ET
Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
2021 LendingTree Bowl Odds: Oregon State -7

Louisiana has lost a single game this season. It happened in their first versus the Texas Longhorns. Because of that, the Ragin’ Cajuns should be the favorite. Louisiana, though, won the Sun Belt title. This bowl game doesn’t mean much to them becuase coach Billy Napier won’t be on the sidelines. There’s a chance Louisiana bounces with a less than stellar performance. Consider backing Marshall on the moneyline. If you don’t play the ML, the Thundering Herd and the points makes sense.

2021 LendingTree Bowl Pick: Utah State Aggies

Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2021 College Football season. Stay tuned for more Football previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Football betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.