Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan Picks, Odds & Myrtle Beach Bowl Preview

• In just their second season at the FBS level, Kennesaw State looks for an 11-win season
• Western Michigan looks for just its second 10-win season in school history
• Continue reading for my Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan pick and preview

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The Kennesaw State Owls (10-3) and Western Michigan Broncos (9-4) battle in a duel of conference champions in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina, will host the contest at 11:00 AM ET on Friday, Dec. 19. ESPN will broadcast the game.

Keep reading for my Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan prediction as well as the Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan picks and odds.

Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan Prediction

My Myrtle Beach Bowl Prediction: Western Michigan 24, Kennesaw State 21

In the Myrtle Beach Bowl, I am taking Kennesaw State to cover as a four-point underdog in a close game.

For an update on bowl game opt-outs and injuries, check out our CFB bowl opt-out tracker.

Kennesaw State Owls Analysis

After a two-win welcome to the FBS, Jerry Mack’s crew unexpectedly won 10 games and won Conference USA with a 7-1 record in conference and a revenge win over Jacksonville State. Kennesaw State rode the wave, winning six consecutive one-score games after a Week 1 loss to Wake Forest.

Sophomore quarterback Amari Odom was a breakout star for the Owls. He led the conference in completion percentage, yards per attempt, and passing efficiency, tallying over 2,700 total yards and 25 touchdowns in 11 games. Down the regular-season stretch, Odom had 11 total touchdowns in wins over Missouri State and Liberty to send the Owls to the C-USA title game.

The first down celly after converting a 4th & 14 to keep your hopes alive in a conference title game HITS SO HARD.

Amari Odom, a legend. pic.twitter.com/3NmVCKlvVY

— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) December 6, 2025

While Odom led the team with seven rushing touchdowns, Coleman Bennett had a solid season as the bellcow back. He ran for 716 yards and four touchdowns. He even added 26 catches for 313 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver, eclipsing 1,000 scrimmage yards for the season.

Similarly, receiver Gabriel Benyard cracked 1,000 scrimmage yards, leading the conference with 898 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns. No.2 receiver Christian Moss also had a dynamic season with 677 receiving yards.

All four of Kennesaw State’s opt-outs (three injuries, one player in the transfer portal) are on the defensive side. Kennesaw State’s secondary in particular while be tested as three key contributors are out. However, the front seven should still feature Baron Hopson (8.5 tackles for a loss) and Tylon Dunlap (11.0 tackles for a loss, 5.0 sacks).

Western Michigan Broncos Analysis

The Broncos had their best season since P.J. Fleck rowed his boat to join Wisconsin, winning nine games and the MAC. After a rocky start in the non-conference with two blowout losses to Big Ten schools and a narrow home loss to North Texas, Western Michigan fired off nine wins in 10 games, only losing to Miami (OH). The Broncos then won the rematch against the RedHawks to claim the MAC title.

Western Michigan is a rushing-forward team, but quarterback Broc Lowry has had a solid enough season. The former Indiana quarterback has thrown for 1,683 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games. His real impact is the 940 rushing yards and conference-leading 13 rushing touchdowns.

Jalen Buckley joins Lowry in one of the top rushing duo in the country. Buckley has 829 yards and eight touchdowns. He also added a receiving touchdown on one of his 12 catches, but he has under 100 receiving yards on the season.

The star of the passing attack is Tailique Williams. The Georgia State transfer caught 35 passes for 478 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also added a rushing touchdown in Western Michigan’s rivalry win over Eastern Michigan at the end of November. Despite leading the team in all three receiving stats, Williams has just three catches in his last four games.

Mama there goes that man! @_tailique for 71-yards to set up the Bronco TD! @WMU_Football | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/yMx380lBIG

— MACtion (@MACSports) November 12, 2025

Unfortunately, I can’t talk about future draft pick Nadame Tucker because he opted out, so the player to watch in the updated Broncos defense is linebacker James Camden. Camden led the Broncos with 74 total tackles in 2025. He also pitched in with 4.0 tackles for a loss and 3.0 sacks.

Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan Pick

My Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan Pick: Kennesaw State +4 (-122, BetRivers)

Here is why I am taking Kennesaw State +4 in the Myrtle Beach Bowl:

• I expect Kennesaw State’s passing attack to have some success against Western Michigan’s defense. WMU allowed just 178 passing yards per game, but that tally was buoyed by four sub-100-yard performances by the doldrums of the MAC. Kennesaw State averaged 245.7 passing yards per game.
• Western Michigan went 1-3 outside of the MAC, only beating FCS Rhode Island. In their non-Power 4, non-conference, FBS game, Western Michigan lost to North Texas, a prolific passing offense.
• Kennesaw State is red-hot, winning 10 of 11 games. They avenged their lone loss in that span by beating Jacksonville State in the C-USA title game.

Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan Spread & Odds

Western Michigan is a narrow favorite in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. Western Michigan bettors can get the Broncos at -3 on the spread at DraftKings (-118 odds) or -154 on the moneyline at FanDuel. Kennesaw State bettors can get the Owls at +4 against the spread on BetRivers (-122 odds) or +145 on the moneyline at DraftKings.

The total is set between 47.5 and 48.5 points. Over bettors can get over 47.5 at FanDuel for -110 odds. Under bettors can get under 48.5 for -122 odds on BetRivers.

Odds as of December 18, 2025, at consensus College Football betting apps. Make sure you check out the best online sportsbook to bet on the Myrtle Beach Bowl.

Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan History

The Owls and Broncos have never played one another in college football. Kennesaw State only began play at the FCS level in 2015 before making the jump to FBS in 2024. Western Michigan has competed at the FBS level since 1962.

Myrtle Beach Bowl History

This will be the sixth iteration of the Myrtle Beach Bowl. This is the first time either Kennesaw State or Western Michigan is playing in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. Officially, the game is known as the “Myrtle Beach Bowl presented by Engine,” as Engine, a business travel platform, is the sponsor of the game.

In the 2024 installment of the Myrtle Beach Bowl, UTSA dominated with over 500 yards of total offense. Quarterback Owen McCown had 291 total yards and two touchdowns en route to winning Game MVP. Future Oklahoma Sooner and Lou Groza Award winner Tate Sandell converted all seven kicks in the game. For Coastal Carolina, Tad Hudson threw two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to break the shutout.