Two BetChicago staff writers offer their against the spread picks for Saturday’s college football bowl slate, and we have a guaranteed winner on the Hawaii Bowl! We kid -- we've got a pick on each side of that game. You should also read Joe Rodgers' [in-depth betting preview for the four Saturday bowl games](https://www.betchicago.com/college-football-bowls-betting-lines-saturday-dec-22-army-houston). Onto to the picks ... Betting lines listed here were available in Las Vegas on Friday. # Chris Mascaro After [nailing Marshall -4](https://www.betchicago.com/gasparilla-bowl-betting-lines-trends-prediction-south-florida-marshall) in the Thundering Herd’s 38-20 win over South Florida in Thursday night’s Gasparilla Bowl, Chris is back with a pick for Saturday night’s Hawaii Bowl. ## Hawaii (pick ‘em) vs. Louisiana Tech, Hawaii Bowl, 9:30 p.m. CT, ESPN I am going with the home team in this one. Hawaii (8-5, 5-7-1 against the spread) is 5-2 SU in its home tropical paradise but only 2-4-1 ATS there, as it has failed to cover some large spreads both as a favorite and as an underdog. But many professional players take a vacation as soon as their season ends, and that must be what this feels like for Louisiana Tech (7-5, 6-6 ATS), which lost three of its last four games to fall out of contention for the Conference USA title. The Bulldogs' claim to fame is their stud pass-rushing defensive end Jaylon Ferguson, the "[Sack Daddy](https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/sports/college/louisiana-tech/2018/12/18/jaylon-ferguson-never-considered-forgoing-louisiana-techs-bowl-game/2355323002/)," and the senior is just 1.5 sacks behind former Arizona State and current Raven [Terrell Suggs' 44](https://www.thescore.com/ncaaf/news/1558273) for the most sacks in FBS history. But he won't be enough against an offense that's averaging 33.5 points per game at home. # Joe Rodgers ## Army (-5) vs. Houston. Armed Forces Bowl, 2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN I originally took Army -3 but support the number up to -5. Houston will be without starting quarterback D'Eriq King, star defensive tackle Ed Oliver and starting corner Isaiah Johnson. Houston already had one of the worst rush defenses in the country and now faces Army's triple-option attack that ranks No. 1 in time of possession and No. 2 in stuff rate. Houston has allowed 34 rushing TDs this season, 4.2 yards per carry (6.0+ over last 5 games) and an average of 34.4 points per game. I also like UNDER 63 (it's 61 as of Friday), as I expect the Knights to limit Houston to fewer than 12 possessions in the game. Heck, Oklahoma had only eight possessions and scored just 21 points in regulation at home before prevailing against Army in overtime [in September](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2018/09/22/oklahoma-survives-army-upset-bid/1400933002/). ## Louisiana Tech (+100 moneyline) vs. Hawaii The Bulldogs are the better team on paper and should win if they don't get distracted at this island destination. Hawaii has covered the spread in just one home game since Oct. 8 and just twice as a home favorite in three years under coach Nick Rolovich (some books have Hawaii listed -1 as of Friday). Hawaii and QB Cole McDonald have struggled in passing efficiency (111th), and the Rainbow Warriors defense is 112th in stuff rate. The Warriors' weaknesses play into the strengths of Skip Holtz's team that is 11th nationally in defensive back havoc rate and ninth in sack rate. Just two sacks away from breaking Suggs’ career NCAA sack mark, Ferguson will lead a strong effort from the Bulldogs defense. __Also read:__ [List of players missing bowl games](https://www.betchicago.com/college-football-bowl-game-lines-betting-will-grier) __Pick 'em contests:__ [Free to enter, win playoff tickets and other prizes](https://betchicago.chalkline.com/games)