“Between Bets” is an article series revealing our staff’s best wagers across the NFL, College Football, NASCAR and PGA Tour. This edition’s bets feature our favorite 2024 College Football Playoff Second-Round picks for ATS and totals markets.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook | Rankings courtesy of the College Football Playoffs seeding
2024 College Football Playoffs Second-Round Picks (ATS & Totals)
#6 Penn State vs. #3 Boise State (VRBO Fiesta Bowl)
Tuesday, Dec. 31 @ 7:30 p.m. ET | Glendale, Ariz.
New Year’s Eve brings us an intriguing Fiesta Bowl matchup between the sixth-seeded Penn State Nittany Lions and the third-seeded Boise State Broncos. Penn State enters this game as 11.0-point favorites after a commanding 38-10 victory over SMU in the First Round. Their fourth-ranked total defense overwhelmed Mustangs QB Kevin Jennings, while the dynamic backfield duo of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton combined for 160 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
While the Nittany Lions are riding high, they’re not without concerns. Starting RT Anthony Donkoh and rotational DT Alonzo Ford remain questionable after extended absences since last month.
Boise State, meanwhile, comes into this game fresh off a 21-7 victory over UNLV in the Mountain West Championship. Their success is powered by Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty, who has been nothing short of spectacular this season, rushing for nearly 2,500 yards and scoring 30 total touchdowns. However, the Broncos may be shorthanded on defense, with starting safety Alexander Teubner questionable after missing time since Week 11.
This game feels like a tough spot for Boise State. Penn State’s 24th-ranked scoring offense is explosive enough to build an early lead, and their elite defense can force Boise QB Maddux Madsen into uncomfortable situations. If the Broncos fall behind by double digits, they’ll struggle to keep pace with Drew Allar, Tyler Warren and the rest of Penn State’s offense.
Historically, we’ve seen big spreads not be big enough in these College Football Playoffs matchups. We’re backing the Nittany Lions to dominate and roll into the semifinals.
Pick: Penn State -11.0 (-108)
#7 Notre Dame vs. #2 Georgia (Allstate Sugar Bowl)
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 @ 8:45 p.m. ET | New Orleans
The Allstate Sugar Bowl closes out the New Year’s Day action with a clash between the seventh-seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the second-seeded Georgia Bulldogs. The line is tight, with Georgia favored by anywhere from 1.5 to 2.0 points.
Notre Dame is coming off a strong performance, defeating Indiana 27-17 in South Bend, Ind. While the Hoosiers scored two late touchdowns, the Irish controlled the game, powered by a 98-yard run from star RB Jeremiyah Love and steady play from dual-threat QB Riley Leonard. The defense held strong but suffered a potential setback, with DE Rylie Mills leaving the game due to injury. His status remains questionable.
Conversely, Georgia endured a grueling SEC Championship battle the last time they took the field, narrowly beating Texas 22-19 in overtime. The Bulldogs’ joy was tempered by the loss of QB Carson Beck to a UCL injury, leaving sophomore Gunner Stockton as the starter. Stockton was serviceable in relief against Texas, completing 12 of 16 passes for 75 yards and an interception, but the step down in experience and ability is undeniable.
Notre Dame’s defense is arguably the best unit in this game, ranking third in scoring defense, eighth in total defense and fourth in passing defense. That could spell trouble for Stockton in his first career start. Meanwhile, the Irish’s 11th-ranked rushing offense is adept at controlling the clock, limiting possessions and grinding out games.
Georgia’s offense, ranked 98th in rushing and 12th in passing, is built around efficiency and Beck’s leadership, which may be significantly diminished without him. With their defense unable to claim statistical superiority over Notre Dame’s, the Bulldogs find themselves in a precarious spot.
We’re taking the Irish and the points. Notre Dame’s balance on both sides of the ball and Georgia’s uncertainty at quarterback makes this a great spot for the underdogs to pull off the upset – or at least cover.
Pick: Notre Dame +2 (-112)
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*Photo Credit: Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune – USA TODAY Sports*
