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South Alabama vs. Western Michigan Prediction Tonight: Salute to Veterans Bowl Picks, Odds

Mike Spector

Last Updated: December 14, 2024 6:01 PM EST • 4 min 15 sec read.

South Alabama Jaguars quarterback Bishop Davenport hands off to running back PJ Martin as we make our South Alabama vs. Western Michigan prediction.
South Alabama Jaguars quarterback Bishop Davenport (4) hands off to running back PJ Martin (22). Photo by Stephen Lew-Imagn Images.

The South Alabama Jaguars and Western Michigan Broncos meet tonight in the Salute to Veterans Bowl from Montgomery, Ala. Kickoff from the Cramton Bowl is set for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN).

Our South Alabama vs. Western Michigan prediction expects the underdog Broncos (+7.5) to give the Jaguars more trouble than the college bowl game odds expect. We also make our South Alabama vs. Western Michigan player prop picks, including a Hayden Wolff play.

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South Alabama vs. Western Michigan prediction & best pick: Salute to Veterans Bowl

College football picks based on the odds from our best college football betting sites. Odds subject to change.

  • Against the spread pick: Western Michigan +8 () vs. South Alabama ⭐⭐⭐
  • My best pick: Hayden Wolff Over 1.5 passing touchdowns () ⭐⭐⭐

South Alabama vs. Western Michigan ATS prediction

Western Michigan to cover the spread: +8 ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -110 via Caesars | Implied probability: 52.38%

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Jaguars’ rushing offense is compromised

Any team that scores 87 points in a game, as the Jaguars did against Northwestern State this season, has a high-powered offense. South Alabama is known for its physicality, ranking in the top-10 in the country in yards per carry and yards per play.

But the Jaguars' rushing attack took a big hit when freshman sensation Fluff Bothwell entered the transfer portal. South Alabama relied on its leading rusher’s explosiveness (he averaged 7.5 yards per carry) to open up things in the passing game.

Quarterback Gio Lopez chipped in with 463 rushing yards (third on the team). Still, his running ability — and overall playing status — is in question as he left the team’s regular-season finale with a foot injury.

Belief in Hayden Wolff

Western Michigan’s struggles with a 1-3 stretch to end the regular season are largely pinned on quarterback Hayden Wolff. Wolff averaged 157 passing yards per game in that span and failed to eclipse 200 yards. 

However, Wolff still produced his best of any of his five collegiate seasons, completing a career-high 67% of his passes despite averaging a MAC-best 7.86 air yards per attempt. He also led all MAC quarterbacks in passer efficiency rating at 147.0.

Western Michigan looks to pay off a successful season

Pessimists will say Western Michigan is reeling after losing three of its final four games. However, the Broncos finished with five MAC wins (their most since 2019), riding the league’s top scoring offense at 29.4 points per game.

Western Michigan is battle-tested for this quasi-road game in Montgomery, having played non-conference games in raucous Big Ten environments (at Wisconsin and Ohio State). Those games are big reasons the Broncos are one of three MAC teams with a top-75 strength of schedule.

An outright win would be monumental for Western Michigan’s program, as it has just two bowl victories in its previous 11 appearances. While this spread got as high as 11.5 points at FanDuel, there is still value at +8 at Caesars, as most of the best sports betting sites are at +7.5.

South Alabama vs. Western Michigan picks

South Alabama vs. Western Michigan best pick

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Hayden Wolff Over 1.5 passing touchdowns ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: +155 via bet365 | Implied probability: 39.22%

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Wolff has not thrown for multiple touchdowns in four straight games. But he did have a six-game stretch this season where he threw two or more touchdown passes five times (including four straight), so he can get hot under the right circumstances.

I am chalking Wolff’s limited passing statistics down the stretch up to colder climates forcing the team to focus on the ground game more. Wolff and the Broncos' offense face a South Alabama defense that entered its final regular season game ranked in the top-30 in rush success but was 44th in pass success and 74th in havoc.

I expect Western Michigan to throw more than it is accustomed to, and the game script could force that, as well, if it falls behind as big underdogs. The Broncos could also break some long catch-and-runs, considering the Jaguars are outside the top-80 in yards per play allowed and the top-120 in tackling, per Pro Football Focus.

There is tremendous value on this prop at bet365. A $10 winning wager at bet365’s +155 odds would net $15.50 in profits.

South Alabama vs. Western Michigan odds movement

See all of this week's college football odds and NCAAF scores.

South Alabama vs. Western Michigan live odds

South Alabama vs. Western Michigan opening odds:

  • South Alabama: -10 (-110 via BetMGM)
  • Western Michigan: +10 (-110 via BetMGM)

The line opened up with South Alabama being listed as a 10-point favorite, partly due to the geographical advantage. However, money has continued to pour in on Western Michigan, to the point where the Broncos are just over a touchdown underdog leading up to tonight's kickoff.

South Alabama vs. Western Michigan injuries

Salute to Veterans Bowl game info

  • When: Tonight
  • Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
  • Where: Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.)
  • How to watch: ESPN/ESPN+
  • Weather: 50 degrees, 64% chance of precipitation, wind 9 mph ESE

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Written By:
Mike Spector
Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”