The Kennesaw State Owls take on the Western Michigan Broncos on Friday in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. The game kicks off at 11:00 a.m. ET in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The Broncos are listed as three-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at O/U 47.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction, and best bet for the Myrtle Beach Bowl.
Kennesaw State Preview
Kennesaw State has one of the best stories in sports. The Owls did not even have a football program before 2015. The school decided to raise funding and start a program, and they found immediate success at the FCS level. After nearly a decade of building the program up, they decided to make the jump to the FBS. That decision looked to be an irrational one, as the team went 2-10 in its first season at the FBS level. However, head coach Jerry Mack came in following that 2-10 season and performed a miracle. He took a team that was arguably the worst in the country last year and brought them to a Conference USA title. The Owls achieved something incredible this season, winning a conference title in just their second season in the FBS. Now, they will look to win their first-ever bowl appearance.
Western Michigan Preview
It was a special season for Western Michigan as well. The Broncos won their first conference title since P.J. Fleck’s legendary 2016 squad. Western Michigan really challenged itself in non-conference play, then performed brilliantly in the MAC, going 7-1 in conference play. They finished the season off with a MAC Championship Game win over Miami (OH). A bowl win would be the cherry on top of a great season. Western Michigan will have by far the best player on the field on its sideline, which is always a big advantage. EDGE Nadame Tucker was a third-team All-American this season and will be an NFL Draft pick in a few months. He has a chance to make some game-changing plays against an offensive line that hasn’t faced someone like him all season.
Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan pick, best bet
My best bet for this game is on the under 47.5. Western Michigan EDGE Nadame Tucker is by far the most talented player on the field and could blow this game up. He should be able to get after Kennesaw State quarterback Amari Odom and disrupt all of their offensive rhythm. On the other side of the ball, Western Michigan does not have an explosive offense. The Broncos want to grind it on the ground with the duo of quarterback Broc Lowry and running back Jalen Buckley. In fact, both teams should lean heavily on the run game, which should make this a slow-paced game with a lower number of possessions. Both teams held their opponent to 15 points or fewer in their respective conference championship games, and they should be similarly effective in this game.
