BY BILL BREINICH 

Football season is coming to an end whether we like it or not and we will soon be forced to find other sports to gamble on – responsibly of course. Games are being canceled/postponed and COVID protocols are a real hinderance to betting. Luckily, Dimers.com has you covered with everything you need to know to finish the season on a positive note. 

If you want to place these bets as singles or as a parlay, make sure you visit Dimers’ best sportsbooks section and open an account today to unlock some awesome Welcome Offers. 

• Leg 1 – Oklahoma State vs Notre Dame, Saturday January 1st 

  Motivation is often a major factor during bowl season, and I do not think it is difficult to identify where the motivation comes from in this game. 

  Oklahoma State lost the Big 12 Championship to Baylor and had they won they might have jumped into the Top 4 and be playing for another Championship. The Fiesta Bowl was not exactly the bowl game they had in mind before their loss to Baylor. 

  Notre Dame’s motivation comes from off the field but that does not mean it will not transition to the field in a major way. Brian Kelly departed for LSU and in steps Marcus Freeman. The players love this guy and I expect them to come play for him in a major way setting the tone for the rest of his coaching career at Notre Dame. 

  Regardless of motivation, I believe Notre Dame has a slight advantage on the field as well. Neither team should get many big plays from the run game, so I look to the passing game to find an advantage. The coaching staff at Notre Dame has been able to get the best out of Jack Coan and I expect that to continue as Offense Coordinator Tommy Rees has stayed on the staff. Spenser Sanders on the other hand is coming off possibly his worst game as the starting quarterback for Oklahoma State. 

  PICK: Notre Dame to WIN 

• Leg 2 – Baylor vs Mississippi, Saturday January 1st 

  Bowl games are often tough to bet on due to opt-outs and coaching changes, but that is not an issue here. Matt Corral says he won’t skip the game and Lane Kiffin is still at the helm for Ole Miss. 

  Ole Miss is averaging 275+ through the air and 220+ on the ground on offense while scoring 35+ points per game. Baylor’s defense is no slouch, but I expect Corral to find some receivers in space against a defense who allows over 230 yards passing a game. 

  The defense for Ole Miss was an issue for most of the year, but they played better over the last month of the season. They have not allowed more than 21 points in their last four games. I expect them to get enough stops for Corral and the offense to capitalize on. 

  Matt Corral improves his draft stock in his last game in an Ole Miss uniform. 

  PICK: Mississippi to WIN 

• Leg 3 – Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals, January 2nd 

  Football fans in general should be excited about this game with two young star quarterbacks (Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow) matching up in a game that has playoff implications. I have a feeling this won’t be the last time in their careers that happens either. 

  Both offenses are averaging around 400 yards per game and I don’t suspect we see anything different here. Yes, the defenses have had their moments, but I do not think this game will be one of them for either as they are both still giving up over 360 yards a game. 

  Did I mention the skills position players these defenses will have to deal with? Ja’Marr Chase, Joe Mixon, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, Clyde Edwards-Helaire – where do I stop?! Good luck to the defenses in this one. 

  Expect some fireworks to start the New Year for both offenses. 

  For more sports betting picks, make sure you check out the Quick Picks section at Dimers.com. 

  PICK: Total Points OVER (51) 

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