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South Alabama vs. Western Michigan Early Picks, Predictions & Odds: Salute to Veterans Bowl

Philip Wood

Last Updated: December 9, 2024 2:10 PM EST • 3 min 20 sec read.

South Alabama Jaguars running back Kentrel Bullockspins to avoid a tackle as we make our South Alabama vs. Western Michigan early picks.
South Alabama Jaguars running back Kentrel Bullockspins to avoid a tackle. Photo by Stephen Lew / Imagn Images.

The South Alabama Jaguars are heavily favored over the Western Michigan Broncos in the Salute to Veterans Bowl when they open up the Bowl game schedule on Saturday.

My South Alabama vs. Western Michigan early picks favor the Jaguars by a considerable amount over the Broncos. The 6-6 Sun Belt team is favored by between 9.5 and 10.5 points, depending on which of our best sports betting apps you use. Kickoff from Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., is set for Saturday at 9 p.m. ET (ESPN).

The Broncos' losses of three of their last four games, while the Jaguars' wins of two of their last three, have surely impacted the college bowl game odds. 

Jaguars quarterback Gio Lopez is currently listed as questionable. If he’s unable to play, it would be a huge blow for a South Alabama side that already has a couple of players noted in our college football bowl game opt-out tracker.

My early South Alabama vs. Western Michigan prediction

College football picks made Monday; odds subject to change. Our NEW college football player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

Prediction: Over 59.5

Best odds: | Implied probability: 52.38%

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The team will score plenty of points if Lopez plays for the Jaguars or sits this out.

The main reason for this is their rushing attack. The Jaguars will be without Fluff Bothwell, who is in the transfer portal, but they still have Kentrel Bullock, who logged over 700 yards on the round. The Broncos allowed 190.6 rushing yards per game, which ranked 107th.

Thanks to their inability to stop the run, the Broncos gave up 31.5 points per game. It’s hard to imagine them slowing down a team averaging 30.0 per contest. But the Jaguars’ defense also leaves a lot to be desired, as they’re allowing 26.7 points per game. That’s the exact amount the Broncos are averaging this year.

Our best sportsbooks have the same total and price listed. This is a high number, but the Jaguars have scored at least 30 in four of their last five games, and the Broncos have been involved in five games that totaled at least 70 points.

Don't miss our guide for how to bet on college football or this week's best sportsbook promos.

South Alabama vs. Western Michigan live odds

See the college football odds from our best college football betting sites for every bowl game.

Moneyline

  • South Alabama best odds: -330 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 76.75%
  • Western Michigan best odds: +310 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 24.39%

FanDuel is offering the best price for the Jaguars, and it’s not close. It has the price set at -330, while the next best number available is -380.

Because of the good price for the Jaguars, FanDuel is also offering the worst price for the Broncos. The price of +260 is significantly lower than the +300 being offered at other sportsbooks.

BetMGM is the only sportsbook with the Broncos’ moneyline at +310 or better. If Lopez is taken off the injury report, look for the Broncos’ moneyline to grow.

Spread

  • South Alabama best odds: -9.5 (-105) via bet365
  • Western Michigan best odds: +10 (-110) via BetMGM

Sportsbooks aren’t seeing eye-to-eye when it comes to this spread.

FanDuel has the Jaguars favored by 10.5, but they’re asking -120 for the Broncos to cover.

Meanwhile, BetMGM and DraftKings both have this spread set at 10 points, while Caesars and bet365 have the number set at 9.5.

If you’re on the Jaguars, bet365 is the best place to bet right now, as the sportsbook is offering -9.5 for nearly the same price FanDuel is offering -10.5.

Over/Under

  • Over best odds: 59.5 (-110) via BetMGM
  • Under best odds: 59.5 (-110) via BetMGM

Since every major sportsbook offers the same number for the same price.

That said, keep an eye on this total, as sportsbooks may increase the number and offer prices of +100 or better for Over 60 or 60.5

How to watch South Alabama vs. Western Michigan

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 14
  • Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
  • Where: Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.)
  • How to watch: ESPN
  • Weather: 45 degrees, 91% chance of precipitation, wind 5 mph W
  • Favorite: South Alabama -9.5 (-105 via bet365)

College football betting odds pages

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Written By:
Philip Wood
Phil has covered sports betting since 2016, and he has been with SportsBook Review since 2022. He previously hosted the College Football Pick 'Em podcast for CanesInsight.com. He is always looking for value, especially on lines that just seem too good to be true. His belief is that if a line doesn't make sense just assume oddsmakers know something you don't. He also loves in-season futures. There is so much value to be had as the public overreacts weekly. Bettors tend to forget just how long NFL and college football seasons are. After all, the Green Bay Packers were 2-5 in 2023 and they made it to the Divisional Round. When deciding where to bet, it comes down to value over everything. +100 is always better than -110. An alumnus of The U, Phil always holds out hope that the next head coach will be the one who turns the football program around. He is also a diehard Detroit Lions fan and is willing to forgive Dan Campbell for forgetting that a kicker can be useful.