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Oklahoma's true freshman quarterback Jackson Arnold (10). NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

NCAAF Bowls: Best bets for Thursday, Dec. 28

By Matt Wiesenfeld | Last updated 12/25/23

We are inching closer to New Year's Day and the College Football Playoffs, I swear. If you are "jonesing" for some college football action until then, here is a look at Thursday's games as you start contemplating resolutions you will never keep, both betting and otherwise.

Good Luck!

Thursday, Dec. 28

Fenway Bowl
SMU Mustangs vs. Boston College Eagles
11 a.m. ET
Best Bet: Over 49.5

SMU had a really strong season, winning 11 games including the AAC Championship Game. Their two losses were to power conference teams, but that is not why I am avoiding them against the number in this spot. I would just rather bank on an offense that scored 40 ppg for the season keeping that up this time of year. They are missing top quarterback Preston Stone, but the backup has been able to get a start in, and they have had lots of time to prepare. Boston College is not a strong offensive team but as long as they can get into double digits this one looks good. Only twice were they held under 20 points this season.

More: SMU into enemy territory to face Boston College at Fenway Bowl

Pinstripe Bowl
Miami Hurricanes vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
2:15 p.m. ET
Best Bet: Hurricanes -1.5

Miami is still far from being “back.”.In fact, it is hard to know if this program, with so many built-in advantages, will ever really get back there. However, there is no doubt in my mind that whatever players they have lining up for this bowl game is better than what Rutgers has to offer. Sure, it grabbed headlines that quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is leaving the program, but he has been a disappointment for Miami for most of the last two seasons. The simple fact is that Miami should be able to play this one pretty straight and win by a couple of scores. It is nice that Rutgers has qualified for a bowl game but they have not won a game since October and have no real quality wins this season.

More: Miami looking to end bowl-win drought at Rutgers' expense

Pop-Tarts Bowl
NC State Wolfpack vs. Kansas State Wildcats
5:45 p.m. ET
Best Bet: NC State +2.5

NC State comes into this ballgame with a lot of momentum. They have won five in a row, covering in each, and quarterback Brennan Armstrong is not bailing on the program because he has already exhausted his eligibility, there is nowhere to go. This NC State program has steady leadership and that matters a lot. The Wildcats primary quarterback, Will Howard has entered the transfer portal and that knocks Kansas State down a little for this one. If these teams met midseason they would probably be about a pick’em and I am not sure what the Wildcats have shown that makes them a favorite, especially on a neutral site. NC State is underrated. NC State head coach Dave Doeren is 3-4 SU in bowl games.

More: Backups in focus for No. 18 NC State, No. 25 Kansas State in Pop-Tarts Bowl

Alamo Bowl
Oklahoma Sooners vs. Arizona Wildcats
9:15 p.m. ET
Best Bet: Wildcats -2.5

It is a sign of our current times that Oklahoma, who has 10 wins is a small underdog against Arizona. The Wildcats had a nice season but a lot of the reason they are favorites is because Oklahoma has lost their starting quarterback to the transfer portal (Dillon Gabriel to Oregon). With questionable production at the most important position on the field, it is hard to back the Sooners. Arizona has been underrated all season and all they did was keep winning in a strong Pac-12. Two of their three losses were in overtime so this could have been a really special season for the Wildcats. The future is bright for Arizona with quarterback Noah Fifita leading the way. With a highly functional offense, they can get the win over Oklahoma.

More: No. 12 Oklahoma, with freshman QB, takes on hot No. 14 Arizona

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