Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan Prediction, Latest Opt Outs & Odds – Friday (Dec. 19)

• Western Michigan is 3.5-point favorite vs Kennesaw State in the Myrtle Beach Bowl
• WMU riding a 5-game win streak heading into this one
• See my Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan prediction and Myrtle Beach Bowl spread below

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A pair of Group of Five conference champions look to end their season on a high, when the Kennesaw State Owls (10-3) battle the Western Michigan Broncos (9-4) in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.

The books have pegged Western Michigan as the betting favorite in the college football odds, and I believe that’s due to the Broncos’ defense, which could be the difference maker, something I’ll analyze more below.

It’s an odd kickoff Friday at 11am ET from Brooks Stadium in Conway, SC, with ESPN providing the broadcast coverage.

Check my Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan preview and analysis, as well as my betting prediction for the Myrtle Beach Bowl.

Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan Prediction

Both teams started the year as surprises, but now both are surging into the Myrtle Beach Bowl.

Kennesaw State enters on a 3-game win streak, and they have just one loss in their final 11 games to close out the year. Not bad for a school that picked up just two wins in 2024 in their inaugural FBS season.

Only four of 24 voters in Conference USA’s preseason bowl confidence index picked them to play in a bowl game, let alone run a 7-1 record in conference play and a take the conference championship with a 19-15 win over Jacksonville State on Dec 5.

Kennesaw State is a passing program, paced by sophomore quarterback Amari Odom, who threw for 2,385 yards and 18 touchdowns, with six interceptions. He also has 376 rushing yards and seven scores. In his last three games, he’s thrown for 847 yards with 10 touchdowns and no picks.

Gabriel Benyard, has been his best receiever, and he’s been a breakout senior, leading CUSA with 898 receiving yards and was tied for the conference lead with nine touchdown catches.

Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan: Key Offensive Stats

Western Michigan didn’t have many believers either: they were picked to finish seventh in the 13-team Mid-American Conference. The Broncos proceed to go 7-1 in conference play, culminating with a 23-13 win over Miami (OH) wrapping up their first MAC crown since 2016.

Unlike Kennesaw State, who love to air it out, WMU does much of its damage in the ground game, posting the second-best rushing attack in the MAC, ripping it up for 196.6 yards per contest.

Dual threat QB Broc Lowry was the conference’s top scoring option, leading the team with 14 rushing touchdowns, while ranking fifth in rush yards at 940 yards. Actual running back Jalen Buckley ran for 829 yards thus year with eight rushing scores.

But the big difference maker here is the Western Michigan defense, which ranks 13th in the nation in yards allowed at 299.9 per game.

Even more important is their ability to shut down the pass, holding opponents to just 177.7 passing yards, while limiting teams to a paltry 55.9% completion percentage.

That’s just not a level of play that Kennesaw State can meet on that side of the ball, as they are outside the country’s Top 100 in yards allowed, rush yards allowed (175.5 yards) and yards per completion (12.1). They are just inside the Top 90 in passing yards allowed at 227.8 yards.

The Broncos have held each of its last five opponents to 21 points or less. Meanwhile, their offense, which scores just 23.6 points per game, can get some traction against Kennesaw State, who will be playing in their school’s first bowl game.

Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan Opt Outs

According to the college football opt outs tracker, this matchup has but one player opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft — but it’s notable. In fact, it’s likely the best defensive player the Broncos have.

We’re talking about defensive end Nadame Tucker, who had a monster year with 14.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Why doesn’t it change my bet? Because WMU still recorded 24 sacks.

Though no other player had even five sacks, they should be able to cobble together a good pass rush in their final game of the season.

There are bunch of notables who are banged up, and might be hard pressed to see the field, including DL Noah Bishop and RB Cole Cabana.

For Kennesaw St, the defense could be compromised as LB Garland Benyard, CB Caleb Offord and S Antonio Stevens are dealing with injuries, while JeRico Washington is in the transfer portal — but the All-CUSA CB still intends to play in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.

Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan Myrtle Beach Bowl Spread

The interactive table above will automatically update as the college football odds move over the course of the day.

The best place to bet the underdog to win outright is at DraftKings, where Kennesaw State is getting +145 odds, and 3.5 points to cover the spread at BetMGM.

If you’re liking the Broncos, they have -154 odds to win the game, and -3 odds against the spread from bet365.

Total-wise, Under bettors can find the total at 48.5 points, while Over bettors can get a line of 47.5 points.

Odds as of Dec. 19 at consensus college football betting apps. Make sure you claim the Bet365 promo code to bet on College Football Bowl Games.

As for the college football public betting trends, Western Michigan is getting 79% of the bets and 70% of the money to win outright, while the public is banging the Over with a total of 47.5 points. That is getting 79% of both the bets and the money.