2024 CFP semifinal predictions, best bets by Chris 'The Bear' Fallica

"Bear Bets" are real wagers that Chris "The Bear" Fallica is actually making.

The College Football Playoff is down to four teams.

Just like we've done all year, we have our weekly picks posts and gambling show. 

As always, I look forward to sharing my best football bets and gambling nuggets (Bear Bytes) with you.

So if you are looking to throw a few bucks down on the big games, I've got you covered. 

Let's have some fun and, hopefully, make some money. 

Here are my favorite wagers so far for this bowl season.

RECORD
Last Week: 3-0
Season: 55-36-2 

(All times ET)

Notre Dame first possession result: Punt

There’s always risk, not knowing where exactly the Irish’s opening drive will begin, but assuming it's around its own 25-yard line or so, I think it will be hard for them to drive the length of the field against Penn State, especially if Jeremiyah Love is hindered. The Irish passing game isn’t great, and it might need to be against Tom Allen’s defense early on. Against Georgia, Notre Dame’s TD came on a 13-yard drive (play) after a turnover and a kickoff return. One of its TDs against Indiana came on a 98-yard run. I’ll bank on the Penn State defense to win the opening drive. 

PICK: Notre Dame (-105) to punt on its first possession

Nicholas Singleton Over 58.5 rushing yards

Singleton has a 40-yard carry in four games this season, including the Big Ten Championship Game and the quarterfinal win over Boise State. In the last three games — all big games — Singleton is averaging eight yards a carry. While the Notre Dame defense has been stout, I wonder if this could be a game where, on short rest, coupled with injuries, it might be a little vulnerable against the two-back attack of the Lions. Singleton had