68 Ventures Bowl: South Alabama vs. Eastern Michigan odds, picks and predictions
The South Alabama Jaguars (6-6) and Eastern Michigan Eagles (6-6) meet in the 68 Ventures Bowl on Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the South Alabama vs. Eastern Michigan odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Jaguars will be playing on their home field in this bowl game. South Alabama has some issues heading into the game, however, with starting QB Carter Bradley carrying a questionable tag due to a knee injury. If Bradley cannot go, it will be freshman Gio Lopez or senior Desmond Trotter under center. Each have split reps in practice leading up to the game.
To make matters worse, starting RB La'Damian Webb is out with a turf toe injury. Webb led the team with 1,007 yards and 16 TD, and he had already declared for the NFL Draft, so he was likely going to opt out anyway. RB Braylon McReynolds, who had 161 yards and 0 TD, is expected to start.
In addition, leading WR Caullin Lacy entered the transfer portal. He had a school-record 91 catches for 1,316 yards and 7 TD, but he is now gone.
Eastern Michigan is looking to win bowl games in consecutive seasons for the 1st time in school history. It will have to try to win the bowl without QB Austin Smith, who hit the transfer portal. RB Samson Evans, who led the team with 635 yards and 12 TD, is likely going to have to shoulder the load with a new and inexperienced QB under center.
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South Alabama vs. Eastern Michigan odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 9:44 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): South Alabama -900 (bet $900 to win $100) | Eastern Michigan +575 (bet $100 to win $575)
- Against the spread (ATS): South Alabama -17.5 (-110) | Eastern Michigan +17.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 44.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
South Alabama vs. Eastern Michigan picks and predictions
Prediction
South Alabama 27, Eastern Michigan 16
Moneyline
South Alabama (-900) will cost you 9 times your potential return, and that's way too much risk for not nearly enough reward, even if it is playing on its home field.
PASS.
Against the spread
EASTERN MICHIGAN +17.5 (-110) is the play. Yes, this is essentially a home game for South Alabama -17.5 (-110). And the Eagles will have to make their way without their starting quarterback Smith. However, the Jaguars could be without their leader under center while their NFL-bound tailback and record-breaking receiver are each unable to play. This will be a lot closer than the books believe.
South Alabama was just 2-4 ATS in 6 home games while going 1-4 ATS in the final 5 games overall. USA even played a MAC team during the season, falling 34-30 outright as a 16.5-point favorite against Central Michigan on Sept. 23 in Mobile. The Jags were 3-4 ATS in 7 games as double-digit favorites, too.
Over/Under
UNDER 44.5 (-110) is the play.
The total went low in 4 of the final 5 regular-season games for South Alabama, and a lot of the reason had to do with Bradley being sidelined, or not quite 100 percent, due to his knee injury.
Eastern Michigan hit the Under in its bowl eligibility clincher at Buffalo in the season finale, but the Over still went 3-1 in the final 4 games. However, with Smith sidelined, the team will be breaking in a new signal caller. The Eagles are likely to lean heavily upon Evans to run the ball, and running the ball keeps the clock moving, which Under bettors love.
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