Every December, bettors get tripped up treating bowl games like regular-season matchups. They’re not. Opt-outs, coaching changes, transfer portal movement and wildly different team mindsets make motivation the single biggest edge on the board.
That’s why Steve Makinen’s Seven Motivational Factors for Bowl Games is must-read material as the postseason starts today. If you’re betting bowls without accounting for who actually wants to be there, you’re guessing — not handicapping.
👉 Here’s what Steve is tracking — and why it matters.
Everything else we have done on Army-Navy, the bowls and the CFP is posted here.
Well, except for the VSiN CFP Betting Guide, a 26-page PDF that is available for download. If you aren’t a VSiN Pro subscriber, we are offering the guide for a one-time price of $14.99. Go here for that option. If you are a VSiN Pro subscriber, you can download the 26-page PDF here.
That said, I would highlight a few new pieces on VSiN.com:
👉 Makinen’s early bowl (and Army-Navy) Best Bets.
👉 Makinen’s Analytics Report for pre-Christmas CFB games.
More CFB resources
Josh Appelbaum’s CFB Sharp Report will be posted later this morning.
All 91 selections from the 13 Circa Friday Football Invitational contestants are available here.
Check to see what the Average Joe contestants picked after 10:05 a.m. ET.
VSiN Pro subscribers have access to the CFB Picks page.
Having trouble finding a game on TV? Try the VSiN Game Finder.
NFL QB updates
The latest round of QB updates heading into NFL Week 15:
➡️ Colts: The team hasn’t named a starter yet. Riley Leonard (knee) practiced and took some first-team snaps Friday. But coach Shane Steichen heaped praise on Philip Rivers after Friday’s practice. If Rivers is going to play vs. the Seahawks (-13.5), the Colts need to put him on the roster by 4 p.m. ET today.
➡️ Raiders: Kenny Picket will start vs. the Eagles (-12.5).
➡️ Jets: Brady Cook will make his first NFL start vs. the host Jaguars (-13.5).
Everything we do on NFL Week 15 will be posted here, including Best Bets columns.
If you are doing prop research today, may I suggest VSiN’s prop tools:
>Fantasy Points WR/CB Matchup Tool
Today in college basketball
Greg “Hoops” Peterson has his Best Bets for today’s menu.
Greg also posts daily handicapped lines and handicaps every game every day during the season on the Coast-to-Coast Hoops podcast.
Adam Burke offers his college basketball Best Bets Monday-Saturday. You can find them on our college basketball page mid-morning.
Get real-time steam alerts from the DonBest Screen. Sign up now for a 7-day free trial at go.donbest.com. Use the promo code VSIN10 for 10% off your initial subscription.
Quick Hits
NBA: Zach Cohen‘s Best Bets and Steve Makinen‘s Analytics Report will hit around mid-morning on our NBA page.
Our Opta AI NBA player props projections are here.
New on VSiN.com: Follow the live in-game odds from FanDuel.
NHL: VSiN hockey analyst Jonathan Davis will post his Best Bets around mid-day.
Horse Racing: On VSiN At The Track, Mike Somich and Aaron Halterman preview today’s races at Gulfstream, Oaklawn and Aqueduct, plus spotlight horses that could be in the Kentucky Derby gate in May. 👉 Listen / Watch.
“Mr. Ed” Sehon has picks for today’s menu at Oaklawn.
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Soccer: Nigel Seeley has picks for the weekend EPL slate.
UFC: Lou Finocchiaro has picks for today’s card in Las Vegas. Dave Ross and Rob Moreno offer their opinions on the card on the First Strike podcast. Watch / Listen. Rob has more details in this piece on VSiN.com.
