College football bowl game opt-outs, transfer portal, line movement, including CFP matchups

Are you in or are you out?We know that most of the Colorado Buffaloes will be active, but as college football bowl season begins there are many other teams missing key players for their games.It all starts on Saturday, Dec.

14, when Western Michigan faces South Alabama in the Salute to Veterans Bowl.However, players have been opting out of bowl games to preserve themselves for the NFL draft or entering the transfer portal to go to a different team.

Last year, we projected 132 players would sit in the bowl games, although many more likely wound up not playing as games went off.Tread lightly betting on these games as players will be in and out just until kick off with, perhaps even some surprise inactives popping up.

This page will be updated regularly as players will consistently begin opting out of games as their respective games approach and agents get in players’ ears about potential earnings in the transfer portal or draft.All odds, opening and current, are provided by BetMGM Sportsbook.

Saturday, Dec.14, 9 p.m.

ET, ESPNOpening Spread: South Alabama -9.5Current Spread: South Alabama -7South Alabama opt-outs: Surprising to some, standout freshman quarterback Gio Lopez is not leaving the Jaguars and is expected to play in this game.RB Fluff Bothwell is transferring.

Safety Ricky Hyatt is opting out.Western Michigan opt-outs: TE Blake Bosma, second-leading receiver in yards and leading receiving touchdown scorer.

EDGE and sack leader Corey Walker and defensive lineman Anterio Thompson (transferring).Tuesday, Dec.

17, 9 p.m.ET, ESPNOpening Spread: Memphis +4.5Current Spread: Memphis -2.5Memphis opt-outs: N/AWest Virginia opt-outs: Coach Neal Brown has been fired, but interim coach Chad Scott says, “Everybody’s going to play.” We shall see, as line movement suggests otherwise.

LB Josiah Trotter entered the transfer portal.Wednesday, Dec.

18, 5:30 p.m.ET, ESPNOpening Spread: James Madison -3Current Spread: James Madison -7.5Western Kentucky opt-outs:...