Wed 12/18 Bowl Games - WKU vs JMU & CAL vs UNLV

[SBR Andy]

Bowl game action continues today with a double-header on ESPN:

5:30 PM ET - Boca Raton Bowl: Western Kentucky vs James Madison (JMU -7.5 | O/U 50)

Picks and Predictions

Line History (JMU opened -6.5, total opened 53.5)

Matchup Stats

Western Kentucky Opt-Outs:

Caden Veltkamp, QB (transfer portal)
TJ Finley, QB (transfer portal)
Turner Helton, QB (transfer portal)
LT Sanders, RB (transfer portal)
Easton Messer, WR (transfer portal)
Jarvis Hayes, WR (transfer portal)
Jaylen Hampton, WR (transfer portal)
Koy Moore, WR (transfer portal)
Moussa Barry, WR (transfer portal)
River Helms, TE (transfer portal)
Evan Wibberley, OL (transfer portal)
Darrell Johnson Jr., OL (transfer portal)
Travon Taylor, OL (injury - questionable)
Dallas Walker, DL (transfer portal)
Deante McCray, DL (transfer portal)
Hosea Wheeler, DL (transfer portal)
Jayden Loving, DL (transfer portal)
Jalil Rivera-Harvey, DL (transfer portal)
Marcus Patterson, DL (transfer portal)
Darius Thomas, LB (transfer portal)
Anthony Johnson Jr., CB (injury - questionable)
Alex Ford, S (transfer portal)
Demarko Williams, S (transfer portal)
Lucas Carneiro, K (transfer portal)

Betting impact from SBR's Rob Paul: "While QB TJ Finley began the season as the starter, an injury gave way to QB Cade Veltkamp. Despite Veltkamp joining Finley in the portal, he's still expected to play in this game. The absences are piling up with DL Deante McCray, DL Hosea Wheeler, and LB Darius Thomas in the portal. All three were key players for the Hilltoppers defense."


James Madison Opt-Outs:

Alonza Barnett, QB (injury - doubtful)
Ayo Adeyi, RB (injury - questionable)
Ke'Marion Baldwin, RB (transfer portal)
Tyler Purdy, RB (injury - out)
Chris Lofton, WR (transfer portal)
Max Moss, WR (transfer portal)
Jordan Funk, TE (injury - questionable)
Jesse Ramil, OL (transfer portal)
Darold DeNgohe, DL (transfer portal)
Jacob Dobbs, LB (injury - questionable)

Betting impact from SBR's Rob Paul: "James Madison head coach Bob Chesney has made it clear that QB Alonza Barnett III is unlikely to play in the bowl game. Without Barnett, the Dukes will start Billy Atkins, who has only thrown 46 passes in three seasons with the Dukes. Given JMU's defensive play, the Under looks that much more appealing."

I went with James Madison -7 (-111 Pinnacle) here.


9:00 PM ET - LA Bowl: California vs UNLV (UNLV -3 | O/U 46.5)

Picks and Predictions

Line History (UNLV opened +4, total opened 51.5)

Matchup Stats

California Opt-Outs:

Fernando Mendoza, QB (transfer portal)
Nyziah Hunter, WR (transfer portal)
Nate Rutchena, TE (transfer portal)
Matthew Wykoff, OL (transfer portal)
Case Uluave, LB (injury - questionable)
Brooklyn Cheek, S (transfer portal)

Betting impact, from SBR's Rob Paul: "After missing the regular season finale due to illness, QB Fernando Mendoza has entered the transfer portal. A combination of Chandler Rogers and CJ Harris filled in for him in a 38-6 loss to SMU. That may not be the only change either, Cal just hired former Boise State and Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin as OC, leaving it unclear who will call plays for the bowl game with current OC Mike Bloesch still on staff. And leading WR Nyziah Hunter is also in the portal."


UNLV Opt-Outs:

Matthew Sluka, QB (transfer portal)
Greg Burrell, RB (transfer portal)
Michael Allen, RB (transfer portal)
Tony Grimes, CB (transfer portal)
Barry Odom, HC (hired as Purdue HC)

Betting impact from SBR's Rob Paul: "Head coach Barry Odom took the head coaching job at Purdue, and UNLV could be dealing with an onslaught of transfers and opt-outs. Starting CB Tony Grimes is already in the portal, but he still plans to play in the bowl. The program has hired former Mississippi State and Florida head coach Dan Mullen to replace Odom."

I hit the Under 50.5 (-110 bet365) late last week so have some value there.


How are you guys betting these games today?

[SBR Andy]

Boca Raton Bowl and LA Bowl betting insights from BetMGM:

[ChuckyTheGoat]

These bowl-games are unbelievable. What's with Veltkamp playing despite being in the Tranfer-portal? Like his retirement performance.

So hard to cap. Cal QB Mendoza is pretty good. He's out.

[brock]

Under 50.5
Nice call on the over last night.

[DrunkHorseplayer]

22 fukkin guys in the portal for WKU, that has to be a record.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

22 fukkin guys in the portal for WKU, that has to be a record.

Marshall had like 36. Team pulled out of the game.

[jillmark]

Great and informative thread! College football is so hard this time of year with so many transfers. I personally think they are ruining college sports. I will still bet it though, lol.

[Headsterx]

Hoping defense leaves the building early for this bowl game, too… OVER!!!

Western Kentucky/JMU o52.5

[Headsterx]

Ugh! Need 32.5 pts in 2H.

[Eddy Munny]

22 fukkin guys in the portal for WKU, that has to be a record.

Nope, not a record.

Try again.

[Headsterx]

Both pathetic offenses need to score a TD.

[Headsterx]

TY JMU, now WK turn.

[Headsterx]

That was a horrible play by Cal QB. UNLV at the 23 yds. And they just run it for TD.

Announcer said he took it to the house. 23 yds TD is “taking it to the house”? What’s the min for “taking it to the house”?🤣

[Eddy Munny]

That was a horrible play by Cal QB. UNLV at the 23 yds. And they just run it for TD.

Announcer said he took it to the house. 23 yds TD is “taking it to the house”? What’s the min for “taking it to the house”?藍

Anything outside the red zone I guess.