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Are you in or are you out?
We know that most of the Colorado Buffaloes will be active, but as college football bowl season begins there are many other teams missing key players for their games.
It all starts on Saturday, Dec. 14, when Western Michigan faces South Alabama in the Salute to Veterans Bowl.
However, players have been opting out of bowl games to preserve themselves for the NFL draft or entering the transfer portal to go to a different team.
Last year, we projected 132 players would sit in the bowl games, although many more likely wound up not playing as games went off.
Tread lightly betting on these games as players will be in and out just until kick off with, perhaps even some surprise inactives popping up.
This page will be updated regularly as players will consistently begin opting out of games as their respective games approach and agents get in players’ ears about potential earnings in the transfer portal or draft.
All odds, opening and current, are provided by BetMGM Sportsbook.
College football bowl game opt-outs
Salute To Veterans Bowl | South Alabama vs. Western Michigan
Saturday, Dec. 14, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: South Alabama -9.5
Current Spread: South Alabama -7
South Alabama opt-outs: Surprising to some, standout freshman quarterback Gio Lopez is not leaving the Jaguars and is expected to play in this game. RB Fluff Bothwell is transferring. Safety Ricky Hyatt is opting out.
Western Michigan opt-outs: TE Blake Bosma, second-leading receiver in yards and leading receiving touchdown scorer. EDGE and sack leader Corey Walker and defensive lineman Anterio Thompson (transferring).
Frisco Bowl | Memphis vs. West Virginia
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: Memphis +4.5
Current Spread: Memphis -2.5
Memphis opt-outs: N/A
West Virginia opt-outs: Coach Neal Brown has been fired, but interim coach Chad Scott says, “Everybody’s going to play.” We shall see, as line movement suggests otherwise. LB Josiah Trotter entered the transfer portal.
Boca Raton Bowl | Western Kentucky vs. James Madison
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: James Madison -3
Current Spread: James Madison -7.5
Western Kentucky opt-outs: At least 27 transfers. Starting QB Caden Veltkamp and backup QB TJ Finley, TE River Helms, WR Easton Messer, RB “LT” Sanders, TE Dallas Walker, LB Darius Thomas, DL Hosea Wheeler, WR Moussa Barry and most consecutive field goals made record-holding kicker Lucas Carneiro.
James Madison opt-outs: LT Jesse Ramil, RB Ke’Marion Baldwin, WR Chris Lofton, DL Darold DeNgohe.
LA Bowl | California vs. UNLV
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: Cal -1.5
Current Spread: Cal -1.5
California opt-outs: QB Fernando Mendoza, WR Nzyiah Hunter, OL Matthew Wykoff.
UNLV opt-outs: CB Tony Grimes, backup QB Matthew Sluka, WR Ricky White.
New Orleans Bowl | Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston State
Thursday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Opening Spread: Georgia Southern -1.5
Current Spread: Georgia Southern -6
Georgia Southern opt-outs: Backup QB Dexter Williams II, WR DeAndre Buchannon.
Sam Houston opt-outs: Coach KC Keeler is departing for Temple. Twenty-one scholarship Sam Houston players are in the portal. Notably, S Caleb Weaver, RB Jay Ducker, DE Chris Murray, CB David Fisher, LB Trey Fields, DT Richard Outland, TE Fernando Garza, LBs Eli Wallace, Simeon Evans, S’Maje Burrell, RB John Gentry, RB Zach Hybacek, S Isaiah Cash, CB David Fisher, DL Quincy Wright, LB Trey Fields, DL Richard Outland, QB Jase Bauder.
StaffDNA Cure Bowl | Jacksonville State vs. Ohio
Friday, Dec. 20, 12 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: Ohio -2.5
Current Spread: Ohio -2.5
Jacksonville State opt-outs: Safeties Tee Denson, Austin Ambush, Zechariah Poyser (fourth-leading tackler going to LSU). Head coach Rich Rodriguez is leaving for West Virginia.
Ohio opt-outs: N/A.
Zechariah Poyser has opted-out and is headed to LSU. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Gasparilla Bowl | Florida vs. Tulane
Friday, Dec. 20, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ ABC
Opening Spread: Florida -9.5
Current Spread: Florida -13.5
Florida: N/A.
Tulane: Starting QB Darian Mensah, backup QB Ty Thompson, third-string QB Kai Horton, LB Matthew Fobbs-White, DE Patrick Peterson.
* Freshman QBs Keelen Tasby, Jakson Judge, and Dagan Bruno are in line get the start.
Expect Tulane to be down to their third string quarterback. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
College Football Playoff | Indiana vs. Notre Dame
Friday, Dec. 20, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
Opening Spread: Notre Dame -8.5
Current Spread: Notre Dame -7.5
Indiana: Fourth-string RB Elijah Green.
Notre Dame: N/A.
College Football Playoff | SMU vs. Penn State
Saturday, Dec. 21, 12 p.m. ET, TNT
Opening Spread: Penn State -8
Current Spread: Penn State -8.5
SMU: Backup quarterback Preston Stone.
Penn State: N/A.
College Football Playoff | Clemson vs. Texas
Saturday, Dec. 21, 4 p.m. ET, TNT
Opening Spread: Texas -10.5
Current Spread: Texas -11
Clemson: Depth WRs Tony Stellato, Noble Johnson.
Texas: Depth DL Tony Savea.
College Football Playoff | Tennessee vs. Ohio State
Saturday, Dec. 21, 8 p.m. ET, ABC
Opening Spread: Ohio State -7
Current Spread: Ohio State -7.5
Tennessee: LB Jalen Smith, depth WR Kaleb Webb.
Ohio State: Backup QB Devin Brown, depth WRs Jayden Ballard and Kojo Antwi, LB Gabe Powers.
Myrtle Beach Bowl | UTSA vs. Coastal Carolina
Monday, Dec. 23, 11 a.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: UTSA -9.5
Current Spread: UTSA -8.5
UTSA: Depth RBs Kevorian Barnes and Rocko Griffin, backup QB Eddie Lee Marburger, WR Jace Wilson.
Coastal Carolina: Top EDGE rusher Clev Lubin (9.5 sacks, headed to Auburn), starting CB Matthew McDoom, DL Naejuan Barber, DL Will Whitson, DL Cohen Fuller, Depth CBs Cristian Conyer and Jaitlin Hampton, third-string RB Simeon Price, backup QB Noah Kim.
Clev Lubin is a leading EDGE rusher in the country. Getty Images
Idaho Potato Bowl | Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State
Monday, Dec. 23, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: Northern Illinois -3.5
Current Spread: Northern Illinois -2.5
Northern Illinois: Top DT Skyler Gill-Howard, leading receiver Trayvon Rudolph, second-leading tackler safety Santana Banner, CB Amariyun Knighten, depth DE Kyle Thomas.
Fresno State: Starting QB Mikey Keene, second-leading receiver Jalen Moss, third-leading receiver Raylen Sharpe, DL Gavriel Lightfoot, DL Jacob Holmes, second leading INT DB Julian Neal, thirdstring RB Malik Sherrod, starting DB Alzillion Hamilton.
Northern Illinois will be without their leading receiver, Trayvon Rudolph. AP
Hawaii Bowl | South Florida vs. San Jose State
Tuesday, Dec. 24, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: San Jose State -2.5
Current Spread: San Jose State -4
South Florida: Starting safety Tawfiq Byard, long snapper Trey DuBuc, DT Doug Blue-Eli.
San Jose State: Benched QB Emmett Brown, Starting DBs DJ Harvey (going to USC) and Michael Dansby.
Sports Bowl | Pittsburgh vs. Toledo
Thursday, Dec. 26, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: Pittsburgh -8.5
Current Spread: Pittsburgh -7.5
Pittsburgh: Fourth-string WR Daejon Reynolds, DL Nahki Johnson.
Toledo: N/A.
Rate Bowl | Rutgers vs. Kansas State
Thursday, Dec. 26, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: Kansas State -6.5
Current Spread: Kansas State -6.5
Rutgers: Depth EDGE rusher Wesley Bailey, potentially star RB Kyle Monangai.
Kansas State: Starting OT Carver Willis, WR Tre Spivey, potentially star RB DJ Giddens.
Kyle Monangai could also elect to opt-out for Rutgers. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
68 Ventures Bowl | Arkansas State vs. Bowling Green
Thursday, Dec. 26, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: Bowling Green -7.5
Current Spread: Bowling Green -7
Arkansas State: Starting safety Dontay Joyner, backup QB Timmy McClain, leading pass rusher Jayden Jones.
Bowling Green: All starters say they will play whether they are in the transfer portal or not. In the transfer portal as of now are OT Alexander Wollschlaeger, starting RB Terion Stewart, leading tackler and LB Joseph Sipp.
Armed Forces Bowl | Navy vs. Oklahoma
Thursday, Dec. 26, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: Oklahoma -9
Current Spread: Oklahoma -8.5
Navy: N/A.
Oklahoma: Basically, the whole offense: Starting QB Jackson Arnold, starting WRs JJ Hester and Jalil Farooq, Andrei Anthony, starting TE Bauer Sharp, contributing defensive players LB Dasan McCullough, DB Kani Walker and OL Josh Bates and Geirean Hatchett.
Birmingham Bowl | Georgia Tech vs. Vanderbilt
Friday, Dec. 27, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: Georgia Tech -2.5
Current Spread: Georgia Tech -2.5
Georgia Tech: Backup QB Zach Pyron (transferring to Minnesota), starting safety Taye Seymore, leading WR Eric Singleton Jr. (transferring to Georgia), depth WR Christian Leary (transferring to Western Michigan) and DL Corey Robinson II.
Vanderbilt: Backup QB Nate Johnson and OT Gunnar Hansen.
Liberty Bowl | Texas Tech vs. Arkansas
Friday, Dec. 27, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: Arkansas -2.5
Current Spread: Texas Tech -1.5
Texas Tech: WR Micah Hudson and starting left tackle Dalton Merryman.
Arkansas Leading receiver Andrew Armstrong, EDGE rusher Brad Spence, starting offensive linemen Addison Nichols, Jocrfshua Braun and right tackle Patrick Kutas, would-be starter for this game Amaury Wiggins, backup QB Malachi Singleton, WRs Isaiah Sategna, Davion Dozier and Jaedon Wilson, starting TE Luke Hasz and DE Nico Davillier.
Holiday Bowl | Syracuse vs. Washington State
Friday, Dec. 27, 8 p.m. ET FOX
Opening Spread: Syracuse -2.5
Current Spread: Syracuse -7.5
Syracuse: Coach Fran Brown claims everyone will play, including potential NFL prospect QB Kyle McCord. Keep a close eye on this before betting.
Washington State: Starting RB Wayshawn Parker, interception leader Ethan O’Connor, S Jackson Lataimua, WR Kris Hutson and DT Ansel Din-Mbuh.
Las Vegas Bowl | USC vs. Texas A&M
Friday, Dec. 27, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: Texas A&M -1
Current Spread: Texas A&M -3
USC: Third and fourth receivers Kyron Hudson and Duce Robinson, OL Mason Murphy, backup RB Quinten Joyner, benched QB Miller Moss. Woody Marks also may not play, per Lincoln Riley.
Texas A&M: Backup QB Conner Weigman (Houston), OL TJ Shanahan, WR Cyrus Allen, DL Chantz Johnson.
Wasabi Fenway Bowl | North Carolina vs. UConn
Saturday, Dec. 28, 11 a.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: North Carolina -5.5
Current Spread: North Carolina -3
North Carolina: Expect this list to increase as coach Bill Belichick gets his staff together. OL Harold Sampson, Aidan Banfield, LB Amare Campbell, backup QB Conner Harrell and DT Travis Shaw.
UConn: N/A.
Nate Boerkircher won’t be out there for Nebraska. AP
Pinstripe Bowl | Boston College vs. Nebraska
Saturday, Dec. 28, 12 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: Nebraska -6.5
Current Spread: Nebraska -2.5
Boston College: DB Ryan Turner, WR Jerand Bradley and S Sione Hala.
Nebraska: Starting TE Nate Boerkircher, defensive starters Mikai Gbayor and Jimari Butler and four other defensive contributors: LB Stefon Thompson, EDGEs Princewill Umanmielen and James Williams, and DE Kai Wallin.
New Mexico Bowl | TCU vs. Louisiana
Saturday, Dec. 28, 2:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: TCU -8.5
Current Spread: TCU -11.5
TCU: OT Marcus Williams, Safety Jamel Johnson
Louisiana: WR Harvey Broussard (486 yards, three touchdowns), starting TE Terrence Carter (689 yards, four touchdowns).
Pop-Tarts Bowl | Miami (FL) vs. Iowa State
Saturday, Dec. 28, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: Iowa State -1.5
Current Spread: Miami -3.5
Miami (FL): Cam Ward said he will play and the betting lines believe him.
Iowa State: EDGE Kenard Snyder and kicker Keegan Shackford.
Arizona Bowl | Colorado State vs. Miami (OH)
Saturday, Dec. 28, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: Miami (OH) -2.5
Current Spread: Miami (OH) -2
Colorado State: LB Buom Jock and starting defensive linemen Mukendi Wa-Kalonji and Nuer Gatkuoth.
Miami (OH): Starting cornerbacks WIlliam Hardrick and Raion Strader and starting WRs Reggie Virgil and Javon Tracy, along with top receiving threat Caleb Goodie.
Military Bowl | East Carolina vs. NC State
Saturday, Dec. 28, 5:45 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: NC State -5
Current Spread: NC State -5.5
East Carolina: DB Isaiah Brown-Murray (42 tackles, 6 PD), second-leading WR Chase Sowell (678 yards) and second-leading tackler LB Zakye Barker (81 tackles).
NC State: DE Red Hibbler (Mississippi State) and second-leading receiver KC Concepcion (460 yards).
Valero Alamo Bowl | Colorado vs. BYU
Saturday, Dec. 28, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: Colorado -2.5
Current Spread: Colorado -3
Colorado: Coach Deion Sanders has flatly come out against opt-outs and said everyone will play. We shall see, but the betting odds trust him.
BYU: DT John Nelson, S Crew Wakley, and S Micah Harper.
Marshall will be playing Army with a depleted roster. AP
Independence Bowl | Army vs. Marshall
Saturday, Dec. 28, 9:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Spread: Army -7.5
Current Spread: Army -15.5
Army: N/A.
Marshall: Coach Charles Huff left for Southern Miss, and most of Marshall is looking to transfer. Starting QB Braylon Braxton and backup Stone Earle, as well as third-stringer Cole Pennington. Starting RB AJ Turner, WR Chuck Montgomery, S AG McGhee, starting CBs Josh Moten and Jacobie Henderson, LBs Landyn Watson and Jaden Yates, among many others. Marshall could be down 15-plus players.
*One of QBs Aiden Karsh, JacQai Long, Chase Massey,or Colin Parachek are in line to start, with only Parachek having played a single snap this year (he threw an interception), while also playing a bit for Morehead State in 2022.
Music City Bowl | Iowa vs. Missouri
Monday, Dec 30, 2:30 p.m. ET ESPN
Opening Spread: Missouri -2.5
Current Spread: Missouri -3
Iowa: Starting QB Cade McNamara and backup Marco Lainez. Backup RB Leshon Williams.
Missouri: EDGE Williams Nwaneri (Nebraska transfer), LB Brayshawn Littlejohn, K Will Safris, WR Mekhi Miller.
Will Johnson has opted out of their bowl game against Alabama. Getty Images
ReliaQuest Bowl | Michigan vs. Alabama
Tuesday, Dec 31, 12 p.m. ET ESPN
Opening Spread: Alabama -13.5
Current Spread: Alabama -10.5
Michigan: DB Will Johnson (injury, NFL Draft), starting WR Tyler Morris, center Dominick Giudice. Look for more to be added here
Alabama: It’s possible a lot more is to come. For now, we’re only looking at some contributors but no starters. WR Kendrick Law, DL Jaheim Oatis, EDGE Keanu Koht and TE Danny Lewis.
Sun Bowl | Louisville vs. Washington
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2 p.m. ET ESPN
Opening Spread: Louisville -4.5
Current Spread: Louisville -2.5
Louisville: RB depth pieces Keyjuan Brown, Don Chaney Jr., Maurice Turner, WR Jadon Thompson and DB Devin Neal.
Washington: RB Cameron Davis and starting LT Kahlee Tafai.
Citrus Bowl | South Carolina vs. Illinois
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 3 p.m. ET. ESPN
Opening Spread: South Carolina -10.5
Current Spread: South Carolina -9.5
South Carolina: Backup QB Robby Ashford and LB Bangally Kamara (Kansas).
Illinois: Backup Donovan Leary and punter Declan Duley.
Texas Bowl | Baylor vs. LSU
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m. ET. ESPN
Opening Spread: LSU -2.5
Current Spread: LSU -1.5
Baylor: DB Tay’Shawn Wilson and OL Alvin Ebosele.
LSU: WRs CJ Daniels and WR Shelton Sampson, DB Jakailin Johnson, DE Dashawn Womack and safeties Kylin Jackson and Jordan Allen.
Fiesta Bowl (CFP Quarterfinal) | Boise State vs. Penn State/SMU winner
Opening Spread: TBD
Peach Bowl (CFP Quarterfinal) | Arizona State vs. Texas/Clemson winner
Opening Spread: TBD
Rose Bowl Game (CFP Quarterfinal) | Oregon vs. Ohio State/Tennessee winner
Opening Spread: TBD
Sugar Bowl (CFP Quarterfinal) | Georgia vs. Notre Dame/Indiana winner
Opening Spread: TBD
Gator Bowl | Duke vs. Ole Miss
Thursday, Jan. 2, 7:30 p.m. ET. ESPN
Opening Spread: Ole Miss -12.5
Current Spread: Ole Miss -15
Duke: Starting QB Maalik Murphy (transferring to Auburn) and backup Grayson Loftis, LB Carter Wyatt.
Ole MissL: Third-string QB Walker Howard (transferring to Louisiana).
Duke has a new quarterback to debut next year. Getty Images
First Responder Bowl | North Texas vs. Texas State
Friday, Jan. 3, 4 p.m. ET. ESPN
Opening Spread: Texas State -7.5
Current Spread: Texas State -9.5
Texas State: EDGE Ben Bell, RB Ismail Mahdi, DB Josh Eaton and DL Dominique Ratcliff.
North Texas: Starting QB Chandler Morris, leading receiver DT Sheffield (822 yards), RB Ikaika Ragsdale and safety Jayven Anderson.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl | Virginia Tech vs. Minnesota
Friday, Jan 3, 7:30 p.m. ET. ESPN
Opening Spread: Minnesota -1.5
Current Spread: Minnesota -5.5
Virginia Tech: Interception leader Mansoor Delane, third-leading tackler safety Mose Phillips, starting offensive linemen Xavier Chaplin and Braelin Moore and LB Keli Lawson.
Minnesota: Backup RB Jordan Nubin.
Bahamas Bowl | Buffalo vs. Liberty
Saturday, Jan. 4, 11 a.m. ET. ESPN2
Opening Spread: Liberty -3.5
Current Spread: Liberty -2.5
Buffalo: N/A
Liberty: DT Eliyt Nairne, Starting QB Kaidon Salter, DL Bryce Dixon andmost. of the starting offensive line, including Jordan White, Jordan Hall and Xavior Gray.
Betting on the NFL?
Orange Bowl (CFP Semifinal) |
Thursday, Jan. 9, 7 p.m. ET. ESPN
Opening Spread: TBD
Cotton Bowl Classic (CFP Semifinal) |
Friday, Jan. 10, 7:30 p.m. ET. ESPN
Opening Spread: TBD
CFP Final |
Monday, Jan. 20, 7:30 p.m. ET. ESPN
Opening Spread: TBD
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Erich Richter is a brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt but he has a black belt in MMA betting. During the football season he’s showcased massive profits at The Post in the player prop market the last two seasons. While constantly betting long shots, his return on investment is 30.15 percent since 2022.
