| Kennesaw State (10-3) at Western Michigan (9-4) | |||
| Game Details: Friday, December 19, 11 a.m. EST | |||
| Location: Myrtle Beach | |||
| Where to Watch: ESPN |
Matchup
Western Michigan Broncos overcame an 0-3 opening stretch to dominate the MAC, while Kennesaw State Owls engineered one of the sport’s biggest turnarounds, flipping a 2-10 record from the previous year into a 10-win season and a Conference USA crown.
It might be an 11 a.m. kickoff on a workday, but the Myrtle Beach Bowl features a couple of resilience stories in college football this season. Set on the distinctive teal turf of Coastal Carolina in Conway, South Carolina, this matchup pits two conference champions against one another who both refused to let slow starts derail their campaigns.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennesaw State | +3.5 | +130 | Over 47.5 |
| Western Michigan | -3.5 | -154 | Under 47.5 |
**Statistics from various online sources and courtesy of ESPN and FOX Sports **
Tale of The Tape
| Kennesaw State | Team Stats – Avg Per Game | Western Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| 23.3 | Points Per Game | 26.6 |
| 245.7 | Passing Yards Per Game | 139.9 |
| 158.6 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 196.6 |
| 24.3 | Opponents Points Per Game Allowed | 18.2 |
| 227.8 | Opponents Pass Yards Allowed | 177.7 |
| 175.5 | Opponents Rush Yards Allowed | 122.2 |
Statistics from various online sources and courtesy of ESPN and FOX Sports
Key Details
Kennesaw State
For Kennesaw State, this game represents the culmination of a historic rise. After an 0-2 start, the introduction of Amari Odom at quarterback sparked an offensive evolution that turned the Owls into champions. Odom brings a dual-threat capability that keeps defenses honest, throwing for 2,385 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding another seven scores on the ground.
Unlike the grind-it-out style of their opponents, the Owls thrive on explosive plays; they generated 192 plays of 10 or more yards this season, using a balanced attack to stretch the field and put points on the board in bunches. Odom’s primary target, Gabriel Benyard, has been a nightmare for defensive backs, hauling in 55 catches for nearly 900 yards and nine touchdowns. This dynamic passing attack complements a defense that learned to dial up the pressure when it mattered most. In the Conference USA Championship, the Owls adopted an aggressive mentality to stifle the opposition, proving they can win defensive struggles as well as shootouts.Â
Western Michigan
Western Michigan found a winning formula by controlling the clock and limiting mistakes, a strategy spearheaded by their unconventional quarterback, Broc Lowry. He has racked up 940 yards on the ground and found the end zone 14 times with his legs, double the number of touchdowns he has thrown. Lowry manages the game with efficiency, boasting a completion rate of over 63 percent and avoiding costly turnovers, a trait that allows Western Michigan to grind down opponents with nearly 45 rushing attempts per game.
Defensively, the Broncos have transformed into a suffocating unit that excels at getting off the field. They boast a top-five defense against both the run and the pass, allowing just over 18 points per contest. Their ability to kill drives is reflected in their third-down defense, where they hold opponents to a conversion rate of under 32 percent.
Prediction
Western Michigan is on a roll. Look for them to continue their momentum and win this game big.
