The College Football Playoff has arrived.
Oklahoma hosts Alabama in a massive first-round game on Friday night.
However, there are two other bowl games on the docket: the Myrtle Beach Bowl at 11 a.m. ET and the Gasparilla Bowl at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Lucky for you, our staff has a pick for all three games on Friday, plus a player prop for the big game.
Read on for our college football picks and NCAAF best bets for Friday, December 19.
College Football Best Bets
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 11 a.m. | |
  | 2:30 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
| 8 p.m. | |
 | All Day | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAF Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan Best Bet
By Joshua Nunn
Western Michigan defensive end Nadame Tucker resembles Khalil Mack. You watch him and realize instantly that he doesn’t belong in the MAC, but rather in a higher-level conference.
He and this pass rush are going to create some significant problems for Kennesaw State.
I don’t think the Owls will run the ball very well, and Kennesaw often struggles to connect on explosive passes or throw its way out of third-and-long situations. The Owls can’t do it against teams that pressure Amari Odom.
On the other side, Western Michigan basically runs a Service Academy offense. The Broncos are slow, methodical, and patient, leaving on three- to four-yard plays. And very often, they’ll piece together an eight-minute drive that results in a field goal.
Western Michigan also trusts its defense, which is an elite unit (11th nationally in EPA per Play allowed).
I don’t see many explosive plays, and I think both defenses step up in the red zone, forcing field-goal attempts.
Pick: Under 48.5 or Better
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Memphis vs NC State Best Bet
NC State has a massive coaching advantage in this game.
Dave Doeren will be facing a staff that has been completely depleted following Ryan Silverfield’s job change.
The Tigers will have their defensive backs coach in charge, and I wonder how that will affect the offensive play-calling — it can’t be good.
That said, Memphis basically only runs zone-read concepts with Brendon Lewis and Sutton Smith.
But Memphis’ offense was brutal down the stretch. Lewis had 15 designed runs over the past three games and looked hobbled. The Tigers lost all three of those games, to Tulane, East Carolina, and Navy.
Additionally, NC State’s rush defense is pretty good. The Wolfpack posted a 63% Success Rate against inside-zone concepts and ranked in the top 25 nationally in Rush Explosives allowed. They match up well with the Tigers’ offense.
I also don’t expect Memphis to be able to make any in-game adjustments, given the coaching staff situation. That’s another big advantage for Doeren’s bunch.
Pick: NC State -5 or Better
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Alabama vs Oklahoma Best Bet
By Stuckey
You can make a fair case that Alabama dominated the first meeting, but I don't care.
This Alabama team is trending in the wrong direction.
I don't know if quarterback Ty Simpson is fully healthy, and the Crimson Tide can't run the ball with or without Jam Miller. That's a huge problem against a stout Oklahoma defense at home at night.
Plus, the Sooners get some extra prep time here, which matters. Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer also has more time to get healthier, and head coach Brent Venables gets more time to scheme against a one-dimensional offense he's already seen.
Home-field advantage is real in this spot as well. Worth about 4.1 or 4.2 points, as the crowd will be juiced up to the gills.
Remember last year's first-round playoff script? Ohio State destroyed Tennessee, and the home teams cleaned up against the spread. Four home teams, four covers. That's the kind of edge I'm thinking about here, especially with Oklahoma's defense and the time it has to prepare.
And don't sleep on special teams. Alabama has been a mess there all year. Its kicker has been shaky, and it had a punt blocked against Georgia. Well, those mistakes swing tight, low-scoring games.
Oklahoma's special teams, by contrast, are elite. Kicker Tate Sandell was a difference-maker who could win the Lou Groza Award. He was worth something like 1.5 points to the spread this season. He didn't miss from beyond 50 yards.
In a game with a total around 40, field position and special teams will be massive.
With a stellar defense, home crowd, prep time and a clear special-teams edge, give me Oklahoma.
Boomer Sooner.
Pick: Oklahoma ML
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Alabama vs Oklahoma Player Prop Pick
By Doug Ziefel
John Mateer had early Heisman hype before a hand injury derailed it.
However, he looked as good as ever when we last saw him against LSU. He went 23-for-38 passing for 318 yards while posting his third-highest quarterback rating of the season.
That level of passing volume is not something we've seen since his injury. It's a good sign of his health and ability to sling it as they'll need him to be sharp against an Alabama secondary that already contained him earlier this season.
The Crimson Tide held Mateer to just 15 completions on 23 attempts. While he was efficent, the Mateer did not get anywhere near his average of 32.4 pass attempts per game.
I expect efficiency to be sustained in this second meeting, but a considerable uptick in volume as well.
Mateer eclipsed this prop line in eight of 11 games this season. If the Sooners want to advance, he'll need to do so for a ninth time.
Pick: John Mateer Over 17.5 Pass Completions
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