College Football Betting Picks for Saturday 12/23/23

If you've not hopped on December's bowl-season train already, fret not! The college postseason action is really only just beginning.

With games firing off all throughout the week, this Saturday offers seven CFB contests to keep bowl season churning strong. Of the bunch, I am most thrilled for a clash between the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and San Jose State Spartans in the EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl

There is quite a bit to unpack here, and I know you value your time. Before Saturday, let's dive into the odds and lines for the upcoming bowl slate, emphasizing the most valuable of the traditional betting markets where applicable. Also, be sure to check out our pieces for Thursday's and Friday's bowl action, as well.

All college football odds via FanDuel Sportsbook. Lines may change after this article is published.

College Football Betting Picks for 12/23/23

Saturday's Full Slate

Armed Forces Bowl

James Madison vs. Air Force

• Venue: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN/ESPN+
• Spread: JMU -1.5 (-112)
• Moneyline: JMU -122/AF +102
• Total: 40.5

Squaring off in this season's Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl will be the James Madison Dukes and Air Force Falcons. Notably, both sides here started the current campaign on a tear, as each program won their initial eight contests out of the gate. Still, Air Force wavered from there, losing their final four games of 2023.

In terms of the Armed Forces Bowl (played annually in Fort Worth since 2003), the Falcons have competed here more often than any other institution. Making their record seventh appearance, head coach Troy Calhoun and Air Force will attempt to win their second straight Armed Forces Bowl after defeating the Baylor Bears in 2022.

For James Madison, they were one of the best stories of the 2023-24 college football season. In only their second year at the FBS level, JMU dashed through the Sun Belt competition, finishing the campaign at 11-1 overall. If not for a narrow 26-23 loss at the Appalachian State Mountaineers, the Dukes would have been perfect.

Best Bet: James Madison -1.5 (-112)

James Madison has built something incredibly special under Coach Cignetti, and even though he is moving on to lead the Indiana Hoosiers in 2024, I like the Dukes in their first ever bowl bid. Offensive line coach Damian Wroblewski will resume HC duties in this one. Behind a unit that produced 35.2 PPG in 2023, I like JMU against the spread (ATS) of -1.5. Worth mentioning, the Dukes were 8-4 ATS this season.

Despite starting the year with incredible momentum through the Mountain West, Air Force's drop off in the back half of the regular season -- which includes losses to struggling programs like the Hawaii Warriors and Army Black Knights -- should not be ignored, scoring just 15.5 PPG over the final four games.

Additionally, the Falcons are 2-4 at the Armed Forces Bowl throughout the Calhoun era. With that, I don't mind leaning toward the Dukes to cap their special season in emphatic fashion: let us lay the point and a half, here.

Las Vegas Bowl

Utah vs. Northwestern

• Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ABC/ESPN+
• Spread: UTAH -6.5
• Moneyline: UTAH -245/NU +198
• Total: 40.5

Headed to "Sin City," the Utah Utes and Northwestern Wildcats and ready to match up in this year's SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl.

Utah is making their third trip to Vegas in as many seasons, however, their previous two bids in Southern Nevada were for the Pac-12 title. After winning the conference in back-to-back campaigns, the Utes fell a bit short in 2023, playing to an 8-4 record. Of course, they never were able to get Cameron Rising back into games this year after the quarterback suffered a torn ACL last Rose Bowl.

Northwestern performed well in head coach David Braun's first season, producing a 7-5 overall record. Still, the Wildcats are just one season removed from going 1-11 and having Pat Fitzgerald fired for cultural issues within the program. Either way, NU -- a founding member of the Big Ten -- is looking for their first bowl win since 2020; can the Wildcats hit big in "Fabulous" Las Vegas?

Best Bet: Utah -6.5 (-110)

Under head coach Kyle Whittingham, the Utes have morphed into a Pac-12 powerhouse through the past decade. Still, Utah will likely go forward with a chip on their shoulder after missing the final conference championship game. Before heading to the Big 12, I expect the Utes to make an example out of Northwestern.

Despite a so-so offense, Utah boasted one of the fiercest defenses this side of the Mississippi River. In a dozen contests, the Utes allowed only 19.8 PPG, which is a top-25 mark in FBS. Simply, I don't think NU will have much success moving the football on Saturday.

My play on Utah ATS is echoed strongly at numberFire. Per their game projections, the Utes are estimated to win by a score of 29.30-17.85. That presents a scoring differential of 11.45, which provides nearly five points worth of cushion. Additionally, after spending a few years living in Vegas, I know for a fact that Utah's neighboring fanbase will show up in droves. Give me Utes -6.5

Hawai'i Bowl

Coastal Carolina vs. San Jose State

• Venue: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex, Honolulu, HI
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
• TV:ESPN/ESPN+
• Spread: SJSU -9.5
• Moneyline: CCU +265/SJSU -335
• Total: 50.5

Dawning on Honolulu, West Coast will meet East Coast to decide this season's EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl winner. Representing the Mountain West Conference, the San Jose State Spartans are looking for their first bowl victory since 2015. However, SJSU head coach Brent Brennan has sent the Spartans bowling three times in the past four seasons.

Traveling from just outside Myrtle Beach, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers will take an 8-to-10-hour flight before arriving at the Hawaii Bowl. For CCU, this is only their seventh season competing at the FBS level (Sun Belt). Regardless, the Chanticleers has already made four bowl game appearances through brief span.

Admittedly, aspects of the game can get a little weird when heading out to "The Aloha State." Even from Northern California, the Spartans will cross three timezones for this one (it will be six zones for CCU). Still, this is something SJSU last did on October 29th (and every-other season) to play the Rainbow Warriors.

Best Bet: Over 50.5 (-110)

After starting 2023 at 1-5 overall, the Spartans have proven to be tenacious; San Jose State snapped off a six-game winning streak -- one that is still active -- to gain bowl eligibility. Genuinely, I think SJSU has a good shot to cover nine with a hook versus Coastal Carolina, but with a spread that large, a play of over 50.5 total points feels safer.

Rather than get tripped up by the pesky hook (nine is a key number in gridiron football betting), I believe these sides have enough offensive firepower to eclipse 50.5 points. Under senior signal-caller (and Hawai'i native) Chevan Cordeiro, the Spartans have shined to 33.3 PPG this year. Additionally, tailback Kairee Robinson produced 20 touchdowns in 2023.

For CCU, they were also in FBS' top half when it comes to offense, scoring 28.0 PPG through a dozen contests. In a single game, the Chanticleers have piled on as many as 66 points this season. Frankly, I believe Coastal Carolina can do their part in this bid.

Back at numberFire, the CFB game projections show an estimated score of 33.51-22.22 in favor of San Jose State. That equates to a 55.73-point combined total, which covers the set number nicely. Let's hope they score all through the night on Oahu.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.