The fact that Wake Forest is as low as a -2 point favorite at some of the offshore sportsbooks seems almost disrespectful. Sure the 7-5 Demon Deacons didn’t have a much better record than their opponent the 6-6 Missouri Tigers, but Wake was flirting with the top 25 most of the season and were an OT loss to Clemson away from starting the year 7-0. Missouri is battle tested in the SEC though, and only lost 26-22 to #1 Georgia back in week 5.
Before Betting on the Gasparilla Bowl
The biggest discrepancy between Wake Forest and Missouri in the Gasparilla Bowl is who is playing. Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman is going to give it one last go for the Demon Deacons, guiding the #10 passing offense in the country (314.6). Hartman is an NFL draft prospect, but could also chase some NIL money and a national championship through the transfer portal. Either way he has said “no shot” at coming back to Wake Forest.
While Wake Forest will have Hartman as well as 900+ yard receiver A.T. Perry in the lineup for Friday night’s game in St. Petersburg, Florida – Missouri has been hit hard by absences. Leading WR Dominic Lovett is entering the transfer portal while three defenders from the Tigers’ top 30 total yard defense (337.3 ypg) are opting out to prepare for the NFL draft.
Wake Forest vs Missouri NCAAF Offshore Betting Odds
| Offshore Sportsbook | Moneyline | Total | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | Wake (1.74) | Mizzou (2.15) | 58.5 | Wake -2.5 (1.91) | Mizzou +2.5 (1.91) |
| Bovada | Wake (1.71) | Mizzou (2.20) | 58.5 | Wake -2.5 (1.87) | Mizzou +2.5 (1.95) |
| BetUS | Wake (1.74) | Mizzou (2.15) | 58.5 | Wake -2.5 (1.91) | Mizzou +2.5 (1.91) |
| SportsBetting.ag | Wake (1.74) | Mizzou (2.15) | 58.5 | Wake -2.5 (1.91) | Mizzou +2.5 (1.91) |
| Pinnacle | Wake (1.76) | Mizzou (2.15) | 58.5 | Wake -2 (1.90) | Mizzou +2 (1.99) |
| MyBookie | Wake (1.74) | Mizzou (2.12) | 58.5 | Wake -2.5 (1.91) | Mizzou +2.5 (1.91) |
Gasparilla Bowl Prediction & Pick
You kind of want to have all hands on deck defensively when facing a Wake Forest team that was 16th in the country in points scored (36.8 ppg) so some key Missouri defenders opting out hurts their chances greatly in this game. It’s almost a red flag that Wake Forest is only a -2 to -2.5 favorite in this game, but this is bait you have to take.
Pick: Wake Forest -2 (Pinnacle)
