Salute to Veterans Bowl: Predictions and odds for South Alabama vs. Western Michigan
College football bowl season officially gets going Saturday, with the South Alabama Jaguars and Western Michigan Broncos meeting in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl.
South Alabama (6-6) finished fifth in the Sun Belt Conference, and figures to have a big fan contingent making the drive from Mobile to Montgomery. Led by All-Sun Belt First Team wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett and safety Jaden Voisin, the Jaguars will be hoping to cap off 2024 by repeating last year's bowl win in the 68 Ventures Bowl, the first in school history.
Western Michigan (6-6) is back in a bowl game for the first time since 2021 after finishing in fifth place in the Mid-American Conference. The Broncos secured eligibility in their final game of the season, a 26-18 win over conference rivals Eastern Michigan. Running back Jaden Nixon and offensive linemen Addison West and Jacob Gideon all claimed All-MAC First Team spots, and the trio will need to lead the way to pick up one more victory this season.
Here are odds, how to watch, and what you need to know for the first-ever meeting between the Jaguars and the Broncos:
South Alabama vs. Western Michigan bowl predictions
Paste BN: Jaguars are the unanimous pick
- Scooby Axon: South Alabama
- Jordan Mendoza: South Alabama
- Paul Myerberg: South Alabama
- Erick Smith: South Alabama
- Eddie Timanus: South Alabama
- Dan Wolken: South Alabama
Sporting News: South Alabama 38, Western Michigan 21
Bill Bender writes: "South Alabama coach Major Applewhite led the Jaguars to a bowl game after a 6-6 season, and they should have success against a Western Michigan defense that ranked 109th in the FBS in scoring defense."
Sports Illustrated: The over is the safe bet
Reed Wallach writes: "The South Alabama defense leaves a ton to be desired, ranking outside the top 80 in yards per play allowed and 121st in tackling, per Pro Football Focus. I envision big plays all over and points on the board in this bowl game. I’ll side with the over."
College Football Network: Western Michigan 28, South Alabama 26
Will Helms writes: "I think the weather plays a factor in this one. The offenses could be more successful on a yards-per-play basis, but the rain could slow the tempos and encourage the offenses to run the ball a bit more, winding the clock. That’s probably why the total is dropping. In a potentially ugly, rainy game, I like to lean toward the underdog, and I love that the Broncos are catching 10 points with South Alabama’s best offensive player out."
South Alabama vs. Western Michigan: odds, spread and moneyline
South Alabama is favored to beat Western Michigan, per odds from BetMGM. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering betting promos in 2023.
All odds as of Friday evening, Dec. 13.
- Spread: South Alabama (-8.5)
- Moneyline: South Alabama (-350), Western Michigan (+270)
- Over/under: 57.5
How to watch South Alabama vs. Western Michigan: TV, streaming and schedule
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 14
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: Fubo
- Where: Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.)
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