Best NCAAF Picks & Bets: Iowa State vs. Miami Headlines Weekend Slate

• Miami and Iowa State will battle in the Pop-Tarts Bowl

• Colorado will face BYU in the Alamo Bowl

• Miami and Colorado didn’t have many opt-outs, which helps handicap games

The College Football Playoff will be on hold this weekend, but there are still plenty of college games to enjoy. The biggest game of the weekend will occur at the Pop-Tarts Bowl when Miami faces Iowa State. 

Many believed Miami deserved a College Football Playoff berth, but a late-season loss to Syracuse stripped them of their title chances. Colorado experienced a similar fate when it lost to Kansas in the second-to-last week of the regular season. 

The Buffaloes controlled their playoff destiny but cost themselves with the road loss. Look for both teams to bounce back significantly in their respective bowl games. 

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Iowa State vs. Miami on FanDuel

• Date: Saturday, December 28th

• Time: 3:30 PM EST

• Moneyline: Iowa State (+140) | Miami (-166)

• Spread: Iowa State +3.5 (-112) | Miami -3.5 (-108)

• Total: Over 52.5 (-105) | Under 52.5 (-115)

Pick: Miami -3.5 (-108) at FanDuel

The Miami Hurricanes will look to respond following a bad loss to end the season against Syracuse. The Hurricanes were expected to make the ACC Championship and be a top seed in the College Football Playoff. 

However, their loss allowed Clemson to win the conference and make the postseason. The Hurricanes are a short favorite in the Pop-Tarts Bowl over Iowa State, and the odds are moving in their favor. 

Cam Ward wasn’t expected to play in the bowl game, as most high draft picks opt out of the postseason. Yet, Ward has decided to play, which should significantly boost the Hurricanes. 

Ward is one of the most dangerous players in the country. He has transformed the Hurricanes' offense into an explosive weapon. He was second in the country in passing touchdowns and kept his team in games despite a shaky defense. 

The Pop-Tarts Bowl should come down to quarterback play, and we trust Ward more than Rocco Becht. Becht is a solid sophomore set up for a favorable career but isn’t on the same level as Ward. 

Becht will look to make explosive plays, but a late mistake should cost the Cyclones and give Miami a Pop-Tarts Bowl win and a -3.5 cover for bettors.

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BYU vs. Colorado on FanDuel

• Date: Saturday, December 29th

• Time: 7:30 PM EST

• Moneyline: BYU (+170) | Colorado (-205)

• Spread: BYU +4 (-114) | Colorado -4 (-114)

• Total: Over 54.5 (-105) | Under 54.5 (-115)

Pick: Colorado -4 (-112) at FanDuel

Deion Sanders has converted Colorado from an afterthought to one of the best programs in the country. Recruits want to play for Coach Prime.

Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter have helped lead the transformation for the Buffaloes. Both players are expected to be drafted very high in the first round of the NFL Draft. 

Coach Prime has so much control over the program that his players want to be on the field one final time in the Alamo Bowl. The Alamo Bowl is significant, so seeing the stars playing will be good. 

Colorado improved on defense from last year to this year, but they have won because of offense. Hunter, who won the Heisman, has been fantastic on both sides. 

Hunter caught 92 passes for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. BYU's defense is solid, and they have been great in close games this season. 

The Cougars' ability to win close games is a significant reason bettors will favor them in the Alamo Bowl. Yet, we trust the offense in a game where players hit the transfer portal for both teams. 

Sanders has been one of the best quarterbacks in America, and Colorado’s team speed is too fast for BYU.

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