In case you missed it, the Home Field Sports crew is holding their second annual College Bowl Pick ‘Em, and we’re hoping you’re the big benefactor from our predictions.
Like we did last year, we started with $1,000 Bowl Bucks, and we’re making a play on each of the 42 bowl games this season. And when it’s over, we’ll take whatever money we have left and make a “Final Jeopardy” type pick in the National Championship Game in Inglewood, Calif., on Jan. 9, 2023.
Below are the picks from sports betting director Zach Ewing, along with staff writers Jim Derry, Spencer Urquhart and Gabe Henderson for the Gasparilla Bowl, as it appeared in our original 2022-23 College Football Bowl Guide (Part 1).
We continue with today’s Gasparilla Bowl, and we will keep you up to date with where we all stand.
NOTE: These predictions were originally based off lines and spreads as of early afternoon on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Caesars Sportsbook.
GASPARILLA BOWL
Wake Forest (7-5, -115) vs. Missouri (6-6, -105)
Where: Tampa, Florida
When/TV: Dec. 23, 6:30 p.m. ESPN
Dec. 13 line/total (for contest): Wake Forest -1, O/U 60.5
Dec. 23 morning line/total: Wake Forest -2 (ML -125), Missouri ML +105; O/U 58.5
Zach Ewing: Evenly matched teams, so this is one where bowl-season motivation might come in. Wake Forest was preseason top 25 and rose as high as No. 10 only to taper off. Mizzou hasn’t won a bowl game since the 2014 season. The bet: Missouri ML for $21 to win $20.
Jim Derry: There was a question on whether Sam Hartman would play for Wake, as it is widely expected he will enter the transfer portal. However, as I type this, he remains a Demon Deacon, and that seems to have everyone betting Wake here. And while betting against the public doesn’t always work as well with college football as it does in the NFL, I am going to go small with Mizzou, which has played tougher this season (except against Tennessee) than most expected. The bet: Missouri ML for $21 to win $20.
Spencer Urquhart: I like Missouri in this spot, as they’ve held their own for the most part against SEC competition this season and should be able to light up a vulnerable Wake Forest defense. The bet: Missouri ML for $21 to win $20.
Gabe Henderson: Missouri was quietly one of the scrappiest teams in the nation this season. The Tigers held Georgia to 26 points in a four-point loss and rattled off four wins in their last six. Wake Forest fell off toward the end of the year. The spread is so thin and there’s little value in picking an outright winner, so let’s turn to our trusty friend, the under. The bet: Under 60.5 for $22.
WHERE WE STAND
Through Friday (Dec. 22)
All picks and handicaps were made and written on or before Dec. 15, and lines were taken from Caesars Sportsbook as of Dec. 13. Staff writers were allowed to make a pick on the money line, spread, total or make no pick at all.
Although our contest uses lines from Dec. 13, we also list the most up-to-date lines.
Canceled games or ties are considered no picks.
STARTING STACK FOR STAFFERS: $1,000 BOWL BUCKS
Zach Ewing: 10-4 overall, +$22 on Thursday, balance $1,135.
Gabe Henderson: 6-7 overall, +$22 on Thursday, balance $950.
Jim Derry: 5-9 overall, +$22 on Thursday, balance $909.
Spencer Urquhart: 4-9 overall, +11 on Thursday, balance $867.
