Ricky Dimon
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The College Football Playoff semifinals could not have delivered more entertainment, as TCU outlasted Michigan in a thriller before Georgia mounted a 4th-quarter comeback to beat Ohio State. But the New Year’s Six festivities aren’t over yet; before you even have time to catch your breath a big slate of marquee matchups is on Monday’s menu. It is highlighted, of course, by the Granddaddy of them all: the Rose Bowl between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Utah Utes.
Below is our SGP for the Rose Bowl, and also be sure to check out our full Penn State vs Utah picks on the side and total.
Over 52.5 (-114)
Sean Clifford Over 222.5 passing yards (-114)
Money Parks to score a touchdown (+260)
Parlay odds: +651
Part of the value in same game parlays, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is the case with backing Sean Clifford to throw for his fair share of yards and for Money Parks to find the endzone at least once, as those plays would work well with Over 52.5. Let’s break down each of the SGP legs.
Over 52.5 (-114)
This is a middle-of-the-road kind of number for a college football game and 53 points should be achievable for Penn State and Utah. While both teams have respectable defenses, each one features an experienced and veteran quarterback who is capable of moving the ball on any opponent. It is true that both teams are missing key offensive weapons, but they have enough depth to have a “next-man-up” approach. Utah is missing its top cornerback in Clark Phillips III and Penn State won’t have star corner Joey Porter Jr. That is part of the reason why the over looks like an enticing option.
Sean Clifford Over 222.5 passing yards (-114)
If this game is to over the total, Clifford will probably have to deliver some impressive numbers. That is why I have no hesitation when it comes to pairing these 2 plays. As Clifford goes, so goes Penn State. In the Nittany Lions’ 2 losses he was picked off by Ohio State 3 times and went 7-of-19 for 120 yards against Michigan. In 10 wins he threw for at least 213 yards on 5 occasions. Asking him to reach the 223 mark should not be too much against Utah, which boasts a dominant run defense but is unspectacular against the pass.
Money Parks to score a touchdown (+260)
The Utes are without tight end Dalton Kincaid, who has been the most dangerous receiving threat on the team and Cam Rising’s favorite target. Rising will have to turn his attention elsewhere, and Parks could be the beneficiary. The sophomore has scored in 2 consecutive contests, going for 40 yards on 4 catches at Colorado before making 4 receptions for 88 yards at USC’s expense in the Pac-12 Championship. He is on an absolute roll right now and figures to keep it going against a Penn State defense that is especially stingy against the run. Rising and the Utes are sure to be airing it out on Monday. You will probably find yourself in the Money if you bet on Parks.
We offer a wide range of College Football Picks and College Football Predictions each week featuring the Power 5 teams and top matchups. Be sure to check out our College Football Best Bets for those top plays on this week’s schedule.
