2023 Bowl Previews with Updated Player Opt Outs

There are four bowl games this week before Saturday’s seven-pack of games that will keep us busy all day long. Betting on these games is tricky enough, but the number of players opting out of these games makes it even tougher. It pays to know which players are in and which are out. Here’s an updated look at this week’s four bowl games and players that have decided not to play.

FAMOUS TOASTERY BOWL – Dec. 18

Western Kentucky vs. Old Dominion

Old Dominion (6-6) made its way into this bowl game by winning its last two games, both on the final play of each game. Western Kentucky (7-5) has one of the top passers in the nation in Austin Reed (3,340 yards, 31 TDs), but his status for this game is unknown. Both teams will also be affected by a number of players opting out. One of those could be Reed. Turner Helton, who has thrown eight passes this season, would start if Reed doesn’t play.

Players opting out WKU: 

• Abdul-Lateef Audu, CB (Transfer portal)
• Caden Veltkamp, QB (Transfer portal)
• Desmyn Baker, LB (Transfer portal)
• Josh Shodipo, CB (Transfer portal)
• Mason Williams, IOL (Transfer portal)
• Nolan Mccord, K (Transfer portal)
• Quantavious Leslie, IOL (Transfer portal)
• TJ Springer, CB (Transfer portal)
• Upton Stout, CB (Transfer portal)
• Vincent Murphy, IOL (Transfer portal)
• Wes Dorsey, OT (Transfer portal)

Players opting out ODU:

• Ethan Duane, P (Transfer portal)
• Isaiah Smith, WR (Transfer portal)
• Javon Harbey, WR (Transfer portal)
• Malcolm Britt, LB (Transfer portal)
• Terry Kelly, S (Transfer portal)

SCOOTER’S COFFEE FRISCO BOWL – Dec. 19

UTSA vs. Marshall

UTSA won seven straight games before losing their season finale to Tulane. The Roadrunners (8-4) missed out on an AAC championship game berth but gets a chance to end the season with the school’s 42nd win in the past three seasons. Marshall started this season with four wins then lost five straight before winning two of the last three games to finish 6-6 and bowl eligible. This is Marshall’s seventh straight bowl trip. The Herd won the Myrtle Beach Bowl last year.

Players opting out UTSA:

• None

Players opting out Marshall:

• Joshua McTier, CB (Transfer portal)
• Maurice Jones, RB (Transfer portal)
• Sean Sallis, TE (Transfer portal)
• Trent Holler, IOL (Transfer portal)

ROOFCLAIM.COM BOCA RATON BOWL – Dec. 21

South Florida vs. Syracuse

South Florida is in a bowl game for the first time since 2018. Syracuse, ironically, fired head coach Dino Babers during the season, but made a bowl game for the second time in his tenure. The Orange will have to run the football to have success. In games where they rush for at least 125 yards, Syracuse went 6-2. South Florida averages nearly 31 points a game, but the defense allows 455 yards of offense. That is third-worst in the country.

Players opting out USF:

• Gerry Bohanon, QB (Transfer portal)
• Will Jones, S (Transfer portal)
• Zach Perkins, IOL (Transfer portal)

Players opting out Syracuse:

• Aman Greenwood, CB (Transfer portal)
• Francois Nolan, DL (Transfer portal)
• Jeremiah Wilson, CB (Transfer portal)
• Leon Lowery, EDGE (Transfer portal)
• Malcolm Folk, S (Transfer portal)
• Myles Farmer, S (Transfer portal)

See our free picks for the Boca Raton Bowl here

UNION HOME MORTGAGE GASPARILLA BOWL – Dec. 22

Georgia Tech vs. UCF

UCF’s first season in the Big 12 resulted in a 3-6 record, but the Knights went 3-0 outside the conference to qualify for a bowl game. UCF is fifth in the nation in rushing averaging 232 yards per game. R.J. Harvey leads the attack with 1,276 yards and 16 TDs. Georgia Tech (6-6) put together an impressive run this season, going 5-3 in the ACC. QB Haynes King (2,755 passing yards, 648 rushing yards, 35 total TDs) leads an offense that averages 31.2 points per game. This is the Yellow Jackets first bowl appearance since 2018.

Players opting out GT:

• Kenan Johnson, CB (Transfer portal)
• Kyle Kennard, EDGE (Transfer portal)

Players opting out UCF:

• Drake Metcalf, IOL (Transfer portal)
• Fred Davis II (Transfer portal)
• Jordan McDonald, RB (Transfer portal)