The Big Lead

Best football bet to make Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Sure, there are other sports being played Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but it's all about the pigskin tilts in late December.

By Ty Bronicel

Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren runs for a gain against the Oregon Ducks on Dec. 7, 2024.
Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren runs for a gain against the Oregon Ducks on Dec. 7, 2024. / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
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Here's how it's going to go on Fridays, sports fans: From here on out, and then into next year and beyond, I'm going to give you one sports bet to make on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so three total.

That's it.

If you wanna parlay them, that's up to you. But I've learned three is the magic. Go to four or five and you're just begging for a financial beatdown.

So even if you go two for three while beating the same amount on each game you'd still be ahead come Monday morning.

Ty's Triple-Locked Picks could include winners, point-spread coverers, over/unders, props, and 2025 futures. Next Friday, I'll give you my premature 2025 national champion for college football along with the Heisman winner and one other prop.

For this weekend, though, here are your three best bets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

All odds from FanDuel.

RELATED: Epic football-watching slate set for Saturday with College Football Playoff, NFL Week 16

Friday night special

Indiana vs. Notre Dame UNDER 50.5 points (-105)

Weather is always a factor in outdoor football games in December, and it looks like it's going to be frightful tonight when Notre Dame hosts Indiana in the first college football playoff tilt of the season.

Both teams have stout, balanced offenses but the forecast is for sub-freezing temperatures with a chance of precipitation. Defenses and Mother Nature will rule the day.

Bonus: If you can get Indiana +7.5 points, take the Hoosiers.

RELATED: Georgia's Carson Beck's elbow injury could ruin Bulldogs' national title hopes

Saturday morning special

Penn State tight end Tyler Warren OVER 70.5 Receiving Yards (-114)

SMU's defense can stop the running game but I don't believe they'll have an answer for the QB Drew Allar-to-TE-Tyler Warren combo.

Warren, the Mackey Award winner, will be targeted a lot despite the inclement conditions. Plus, know this: He's recorded more than 71 yards in four of his last five games.

Dude's gonna have a big night.

RELATED: Chiefs starting Mahomes vs. Texans despite ankle injury a potentially costly mistake

Sunday morning special

Houston Texans +3.5 at Kansas City Chiefs

This is a weird one. If Patrick Mahomes is healthy, which he's not, this would be a much larger spread.

There's speculation that Mahomes, who suffered a sprain ankle last week, is going gut it out and play anyway against the Texas.

Rolling the dice there. I think Mahomes struggles and he's pulled for precautionary reasons and the Texans win. Take the points.

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