CFB Best Bets: Week 16 Lines & Bowl Game Picks

Week 16 and the December 13 bowl games offer plenty of college football betting opportunities for value and quality.

It all begins on December 13 with the Cricket Celebration Bowl between South Carolina State and Prairie View at Noon on ABC. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, is the venue.

Next is the biggest matchup of the day, America’s Game between Army and Navy on Saturday, December 13, with kickoff time at 3 p.m. ET and a CBS telecast. The game will be held at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD.

Following America’s Game, there is more action with the December 13 Bucked Up LA Bowl between Boise State and Washington at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. Kickoff time is at 8 p.m. with coverage on ABC.

Notable CFB Week 16 and Bowl Odds

South Carolina State (-4.5) is an intriguing price against Prairie View in the Celebration Bowl. South Carolina State is making a repeat appearance after losing to Jackson State 28-7 last year. This is the third Celebration Bowl appearance for South Carolina State in five seasons.

Navy (-6.5) is an interesting line for its rivalry game against Army. The Navy had a strong season that caught the eyes of gamblers, while the Army fell far short of expectations. Still, the Black Knights are bowl eligible, and you can throw out the records whenever America’s Game is played.

Washington (-8.5) catches attention against the Mountain West Conference champion Boise State Broncos in the LA Bowl. This line is likely based on branding and perceptions of the casual sector.

CFB Week 16 and Bowl Predictions

South Carolina State -4.5 vs. Prairie View – The Cricket Celebration Bowl is an annual event that features the SWAC and MEAC champions in a nationally televised showdown, serving as the HBCU National Championship game.

Fresh off a commanding win on championship weekend, the Prairie View A&M Panthers are officially Atlanta-bound. PVAMU punched its ticket to the 2025 Cricket Celebration Bowl by defeating Jackson State 23-21 on Saturday, December 6, in the SWAC Championship. Prairie View is 10-3 on the season.

PVAMU controlled the tempo from the opening kickoff to the final whistle, delivering one of the most complete performances of the year when it mattered most.

This trip to the Celebration Bowl marks a significant milestone for the Panthers’ program that has been building toward this moment under head coach Tremaine Jackson.

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) crowned its 2025 football champion on Saturday, as South Carolina State earned a 28–17 victory over Delaware State to secure its second consecutive conference title.

The Bulldogs, winners of seven straight, completed the season with an undefeated 5–0 MEAC record and a 9–3 overall mark, continuing their strong play under Head Coach Chennis Berry, who has opened his tenure with an unblemished 10–0 conference record.

South Carolina State has the experience advantage in this setting as a Celebration Bowl regular.

Army +6.5 vs. Navy – Army has been at its best as an underdog to Navy. Due to the familiarity between the two academies, the teams do not fear each other, making for an even matchup. In America’s Game, the team that had a lesser season is often more dangerous, as beating the arch-rival can atone for all previous sins. The Army certainly has enough to stay within the large college football odds number, at the very least.

Boise State +8.5 at Washington – The Washington Huskies were an erratic team this year, seemingly distracted for many of their games while failing to produce a profit. Boise State finished in the black and won the Mountain West Conference championship game impressively (38-21) over UNLV. This is a big number and one that Boise State should be able to stay within.