Overview
- The College Football Playoff quarterfinals begin Dec. 31, with Ohio State listed as a 9.5-point favorite over Miami in the Cotton Bowl.
- Utah enters the Las Vegas Bowl as the biggest remaining favorite at roughly 14 points over Nebraska, with the spread trimmed after Kyle Whittingham left for Michigan.
- SportsLine’s model projects Nebraska to cover against Utah, calling a one-score game in well over 60% of simulations.
- The model also backs Mississippi State (-3) to cover against Wake Forest in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, projecting nearly a 60% cover rate.
- For non-CFP matchups, the model favors USC (-6.5) over TCU with quarterback Jayden Maiava available, while handicapper Bruce Marshall recommends Illinois (+2.5) over Tennessee.