2025 College Football Odds: Chris ‘The Bear’ Fallica’s Expert Picks and Best Bets
With less than two months remaining until kickoff, it’s almost that time for fans to refocus on college football. Sportsbooks have already released win totals, game lines, and a variety of other betting options for the upcoming regular season. Let’s take a closer look at my top picks for how certain teams are expected to perform this season.
Illinois Under 8.5 Wins
There’s also an Under 7.5 (+135) option available, but as I’ve mentioned previously, I prefer having an additional game buffer jlbet.ph. This season, the Illini are quite a trendy pick, and while I don’t foresee a losing season, there are still questions surrounding the roster. Will the departures of Zakhari Franklin and Pat Bryant impact Luke Altmeyer’s performance? The defensive line has three new faces, and can the running back duo of Aiden Laughery and Kaden Feagin maintain their health?
Last year, Illinois finished with a record of 9-3, but this included overtime victories against Nebraska, a struggling Purdue team, and a turnover-heavy game against Kansas early in the season. They also had a miraculous win against Rutgers, suggesting that a record closer to 5-7 might be more realistic.
The schedule reveals five games that appear to be potential losses — at Duke, at Indiana, hosting USC, versus Ohio State, and at Washington. It’s also possible that the game in Madison late in the season could turn into a “let’s beat our former coach” situation. Putting aside any playoff conversations, achieving nine wins would itself be quite an accomplishment.
PICK: Illinois (-150) Under 8.5 Wins
Houston Over 6.5 Wins
The Cougars’ offense struggled significantly last year, as Houston was shut out twice and held to 10 points or fewer on three other occasions. With the addition of Texas A&M transfer Conner Weigman at quarterback, along with new wide receivers and tight ends from the transfer portal, there is hope for improvement. Coach Willie Fritz is known for making quick adjustments, and considering that last place in the previous season managed to win the league, another major turnaround is quite plausible.
We shouldn’t be shocked if the Cougars head into their home game against Texas Tech with a 4-0 record. Given that they also have four teams projected to be among the weaker opponents in the league — Oklahoma State, Arizona, West Virginia, and UCF — there exists a strong possibility for a substantial Year 2 comeback.
PICK: Houston (+120) Over 6. jili77.cim5 Wins
Miami to Make College Football Playoff
A subpar defense kept the Hurricanes out of the College Football Playoff last year, but new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, brought in from Minnesota, aims to resolve several issues. The positive aspect for Hetherman is having Rueben Bain for a full year to work with, as well as a secondary that has the potential to be one of the best in the nation, especially after last year’s struggles.
Quarterback Carson Beck is looking to bounce back to his 2023 form after an elbow injury, and with one of the top offensive lines in the country and strong running back depth, he should have the tools he needs to succeed.
The Hurricanes’ schedule features two significant non-conference matchups — an opener against Notre Dame and a clash with rival Florida, both hosted at Hard Rock Stadium. If Miami can win one or both of these games, they will secure key non-conference victories. yyy777.ph This would mean they simply need to avoid major setbacks in ACC play to earn a playoff berth, much like SMU did last year, despite not having as challenging a non-conference schedule. Paths to the playoff include winning the ACC, beating Notre Dame and/or Florida, and potentially losing in the ACC championship game. Alternatively, they could win both ND and Florida games, miss out on the ACC title game, and still make the playoffs at 10-2.
PICK: Miami (+200) to Make College Football Playoff
Chris “The Bear” Fallica has been covering sports for nearly three decades, focusing primarily on college football, but also enjoying the NFL, soccer, golf, tennis, MLB, NHL, and horse racing, with the occasional bet on these events jili free coins. He recently triumphed in the inaugural Circa Football Invitational and secured a spot among the Top 10 in the Golden Nugget Football Contest. He’s a multiple-time qualifier for the NHC Handicapping Championship. Remember, “The less you bet, the more you lose when you win! jili plus casino login” Follow him on Twitter @chrisfallica.
What are your thoughts on these expert picks for college football this upcoming season?