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.
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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.
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