College Football Sugar Bowl, Gator Bowl Best Betting Picks January 2nd

It was a happy new year to anyone who took Arizona State and the points against Texas, not to mention any Cam Skattebo player props. So, instead of placing bets to win money to cover your New Year’s Eve night out, it’s time to place bets because you like money and want to win some.

Can there be a better way to get 2025 off to a solid start? If you need some help getting started today, check out our best bets for Thursday, Jan. 2.

Best Bets for Jan. 2: NCAAF

Sugar Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Georgia

UNDER 45.5 Points at -105 Caesars

Notre Dame had one of the best scoring offenses in the country this season, but they will not find it nearly as easy to score points against Georgia’s defense. At the same time, the Bulldogs offense will have issues of its own against the Fighting Irish defense, especially with a quarterback making his first collegiate start.

Both teams will do the bulk of their offensive work on the ground, which will lead to a low-scoring game. Take the UNDER.

Jordan Fashion, OVER 31.5 Receiving Yards at -114 (via FanDuel)

OVER 3.5 Receptions at +118 (via FanDuel)

Notre Dame does not do a ton of passing, but Riley Leonard has done well when he’s been asked to. He’ll need to throw enough to keep the Georgia defense from loading the box to stop the run. Leonard seemed to take a liking to Faison in the Indiana game, as the sophomore receiver caught seven passes for 89 yards. 

I don’t think he’ll have a similar day in this game, but I doubt he’ll go back to the two receptions for 20-something yards as he had for most of the games he played in. Look for him to make four or five catches for around 50 yards.

Jeremiyah Love, OVER 67.5 Rushing Yards at -114 (via FanDuel)

Notre Dame’s offense is at its best when they get the run established, which means getting Jeremiyah Love on track sooner rather than later. He’s done some great work behind his massive offensive line over his last four games, running for 108 yards vs. Indiana, 99 vs. USC, 130 vs. Army, and 137 vs. Virginia.

Of course, it will not be easy to run against the Bulldogs, but as long as he gets 15+ carries, he’ll go OVER 67.5 yards.

Gator Bowl: Duke vs. Ole Miss

UNDER 51.5 at -108 (DraftKings)

I know what you’re thinking: “Take the UNDER? With the Ole Miss high-scoring offense? Nah!!!!!!”

But as dynamic as the Ole Miss offense is, the defense has been solid this season, resulting in really no one scoring enough against Ole Miss to send the score OVER the total. The only two games in which the OVER hit, Ole Miss did all the legwork.

Duke is without its starting quarterback and running back, so I don’t have much confidence in the Blue Devils’ offense’s ability to help out. Take the UNDER.

Duke +17.5 at -110 (DraftKings)

While I fully expect Ole Miss to win this one easily, Duke has enough playmakers on the roster to keep this one from getting ugly. They’ll keep it within 14. Take the Blue Devils and the points.

Jaxson Dart, OVER 270.5 Passing Yards at -114 (via FanDuel)

OVER 2.5 Passing Touchdowns at +142 (via FanDuel)

Duke had a solid pass defense during the regular season, but with the hits it took via the transfer portal, it will struggle against a fully staffed Ole Miss passing attack. Dart threw for more than 270.5 yards in nine of 12 games, with 300+ yards in seven, 400+ yards in two, and 500+ yards in one.

If the Duke defense were at full strength, I’d probably say pass on this one, but since it isn’t…As for his touchdowns total, Dart had 3+ passing touchdowns in just three games this season. But in his final college game, Lane Kiffin is going to help him put on a show. It’s a risky play but one worth taking.