Tag: First Responder Bowl

Latest Oklahoma Sooners bowl projections from USA TODAY Sports

Where are the Oklahoma Sooners heading in USA TODAY Sports Bowl Projections after win over Alabama?

The Oklahoma Sooners are going bowling. After their dominant win over he Alabama Crimson Tide, the Sooners moved to 6-5 on the season and have a chance to clinch a winning record this week against the LSU Tigers.

With bowl eligibility secured, it’ll be interesting to see where the Sooners land when bowl invites are issued.

ESPN’s analysts believe the Sooners will end up in either the Gasparilla Bowl vs. Virginia Tech or the Independence Bowl vs. West Virginia.

Well, Erick Smith of USA TODAY Sports believes the Sooners will play the Mountaineers but that they’ll be in the First Responder Bowl on January 3 inside the friendly confines of the Cotton Bowl.

Though it would be a little odd to play in the Cotton Bowl without the Texas State Fair taking place surrounding the game, making the trip to Dallas would be a simple one for Oklahoma fans wanting to take in the bowl game festivities.

Still, after what the 2024 season has been for the Oklahoma Sooners, just reaching a bowl game feels like an accomplishment. It’s an opportunity to finish the season on a high note and give the younger guys returning for 2025 more practice time to develop before the season is over.

Oklahoma has a chance to improve their bowl destination with a win over the LSU Tigers this Saturday in Baton Rouge.

247Sports projects Florida and Baylor bowl game matchup

It might be a bit too early for bowl game projections, but 247Sports has an interesting pick for Florida heading into the summer.

The folks at 247Sports got bored and took a stab at projecting the 2023-24 bowl game matchups before summer camps even begin, and Florida is pegged to face Baylor in the First Responder Bowl.

No SEC team has competed in the First Responder Bowl’s 13-year history, but there are tie-ins that could make it possible. The game is played in late December at Southern Methodist University’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas.

Appearing in the First Responder Bowl wouldn’t be the only rarity in this hypothetical scenario, either. Florida last faced Baylor in 1960. A 60-year drought seems almost intentional, and there’s always the potential for one team to deny the invitation.

If the matchup does happen, it will be an easy one for networks to sell. It also likely means both programs have average seasons that barely reach bowl eligibility.

Florida hasn’t played in a meaningful bowl game since the 2020 Cotton Bowl. The Gators lost to UCF in the 2021 Gasparilla Bowl after Dan Mullen was fired, and Billy Napier’s first year brought a blowout loss to Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl that almost cost Florida its scoring streak.

Hopefully, these “way-too-early” projections don’t end up being accurate, but there aren’t many that are high on Florida heading into the summer.

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Best bets for every bowl game, Pt. 2 (pre-New Year’s Six bowls)

Part 2 of our best bets for bowl season.

After a day off, bowl season picks right back up on Monday with the Quick Lane Bowl between New Mexico State and Bowling Green. That means its time for me to pick things up where I left off in Pt. 1 of my best bets for bowl season.

For those who tailed my previous picks, it’s been a good time. I’ve been picking a lot more winners than losers, and I hope to keep the good fortune on my side for 16 more bowl-game picks all the way up until the first NY6 bowl on Friday night.

Before we get into the picks, here’s a look at where things stand:

First Responder Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Western Kentucky odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s SERVPRO First Responder Bowl betting odds and lines between Western Michigan Broncos and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers with betting picks, tips and bets.

The Western Michigan Broncos (7-5) and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-4) meet up in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. Kickoff at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas 12:30 p.m. ET Monday. We analyze the Western Michigan-Western Kentucky odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Western Michigan vs. Western Kentucky: Three things you need to know

1. The Broncos head into this game with a 1-8 straight-up (SU) career record in bowl games, while the Hilltoppers have won three of their five all-time appearances.

2. Western Michigan ranked 23rd in the nation with 457.3 total yards per game and are 24th in the country with 212.7 yards per game on the ground, while posting 34.2 points per game to check in 25th.

3. Western Kentucky covered in seven of its final nine games despite the fact it ranked just 87th in the country with 380.0 total yards per game on offense. The defense is rather stout, however, allowing just 20.1 PPG to rank 21st.

College football season is almost over! Place your bets on this game, or others, at BetMGM now. Place your bets and win, win, win!

Western Michigan vs. Western Kentucky: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 9:40 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Western Kentucky 24, Western Michigan 21

Moneyline (ML)

WESTERN KENTUCKY (-164) is a moderate favorite. Playing the moneyline isn’t a bad bet since the Hilltoppers are laying 3.5 points. Anything less and the play is to just look to the spread.

New to sports betting? Every $1.64 wagered on the Western Kentucky ML will profit $1 if the Broncos win.

Against the Spread (ATS)

AVOID. Western Kentucky (-3.5, -106) is laying three and a hook, and I expect this to be a one-possession game. I’d rather play the moneyline and cheer for a straight-up win. Western Michigan (+3.5, -115) could easily cover the line and still lose this game, which should be a close, defensive slog.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 54.5 (-106) is the way to go, as Western Kentucky’s defense has been stout this season. Western Michigan can sling it, but expect the Broncos to struggle finding as many open spaces as they’re used to in MAC play.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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