Gasparilla Bowl 2022 Betting Guide

The Missouri Tigers will be without some key players in this one, including their best wide receiver in, Dominic Lovett (56 catches, 828 yards, three touchdowns), defensive linemen Isaiah McGuire and D.J. Coleman, and safety Martez Manuel. 

Lovett has entered the transfer portal, while the latter three players are opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft and this is a tough group to lose during bowl season. There’s some discrepancy in whether McGuire will play. Still, it’s not looking good for the Tigers’ best defensive player (35 pressures and seven sacks).

On offense, they have quarterback Brady Cook who’s helped moved the offense but has just 13 passing touchdowns and six rushing touchdowns. He’s been a solid dual-threat player. 

Without Lovett, Cook isn’t left with much. His top receiver is Barrett Banister, who had 37 catches for 409 yards and zero touchdowns this year. He’ll still be able to depend on running back Cody Schrader, though. He ran for 685 yards and 156 carries, and eight touchdowns this year. 
 

Heading into the 2022 Gasparilla Bowl, Wake Forest will be down two running backs, Christian Turner and Quinton Cooley, and defensive back Gavin Holmes — they all hit the transfer portal. 

Quarterback Sam Hartman will declare for the NFL Draft but is still set to play in this one. He has several significant receiving threats. 

• A.T. Perry: 112 targets, 70 receptions, 984 yards, 11 touchdowns
• Taylor Morin: 63 targets, 44 receptions, 545 yards, seven touchdowns
• Ke’Shawn Williams: 59 targets, 39 receptions, 547 yards, one touchdown
• Donavon Greene: 58 targets, 36 receptions, 615 yards, six touchdowns
• Jahmal Banks: 56 targets, 39 receptions, 565 yards, eight touchdowns

Hartman, in his fifth season as the Demon Deacons' starting quarterback, threw for 3,420 yards and 35 touchdowns this year behind an offensive line that allowed 137 total pressures and 21 sacks. 

The issue with Wake Forest lies in the defense. It is tied for 44th in the nation regarding rushing yards, but is 116th in passing yards allowed at 273. 

For college football bowl games like this one, where the moneyline bet odds and point spreads will be close, it’s essential to research the best sports betting apps. 

Below, we have a list of them, along with the odds for this game at each, so you can compare and contrast where you should wager. 

Gasparilla Bowl Betting Tips

Before you place any final wagers on college football bowl games, check out the sites listed above to find the best sportsbook promotions. 

It’s a no-brainer: You check them out, find any promotions/bonuses, and use them to your advantage to win even more money on successful bets. 

Gasparilla Bowl Predictions: Moneyline Betting Pick

The Tigers are 6-6 during the regular season. While their offense has played better lately, they enter this one without their top receiver and the best defensive player. McGuire would’ve been invaluable off the edge against the poor Wake Forest offensive line. 

The Demon Deacons defense struggles, but the Tigers are fighting an uphill battle without these key players. 

Pick: Wake Forest -113

Gasparilla Bowl Projections: Point Spread Betting Pick 

This game is a pick ’em, so making a moneyline bet or betting the point spread aren’t all that different. Hartman has several weapons at his disposal in his fifth season. 

The Missouri defense is easily better than Wake Forest. Still, Hartman’s experience, coupled with the lack of critical players for Missouri, will lead them to a victory.

Pick: Wake Forest -1  

Gasparilla Bowl Over/Under Betting Pick 

We’ve cited Wake Forest’s weapons already. However, even without his top receiver, the Tigers and Brady Cook will still put up points against one of the worst passing defenses in all of college football. 

We still think the Demon Deacons will win, but this will still be a high-scoring game. 

Pick: Over 60.5