Boca Raton Bowl predictions, odds

On By Littum

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Who to play for James Madison and Western Kentucky in the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl? That’s the question looming over the first football game ever played between these two schools when they meet Wednesday at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida.

Western Kentucky (8-5) has seen at least 27 players enter the transfer window since losing to Jacksonville State in the Conference-USA championship game last month, including starting quarterback and C-USA Offensive Player of the Year Caden Veltkamp. James Madison (8-4) is the favorite though it is expected to be without starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III after he sustained an injury in the team’s loss to Marshall in the regular season finale.

On paper, James Madison’s rushing attack ranked in the nation’s top 30 this year and looks to deliver Dukes an advantage since Western Kentucky had a rushing defense that ranked last in the conference and among the five worst in the nation. But with some personnel changes compared to the regular season, there is plenty of intrigue as to how each team could look in this one.

Here’s what else you need to know about the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl matchup between Western Kentucky and James Madisonincluding predictions, odds and how to watch:

PREDICTIONS: Our experts make their picks for each bowl game

Western Kentucky vs. James Madison Predictions

USA TODAY: JMU votes unanimously

  • Scooby Axon: James Madison
  • Jordan Mendoza: James Madison
  • Paul Myerberg: James Madison
  • Eric Smith: James Madison
  • Eddie Timanus: James Madison
  • Dan Wolken: James Madison

ESPN: Western Kentucky 28, James Madison 26

“Both teams are skilled enough on defense and can spread the ball around in the passing game, as WKU’s Caden Veltkamp has 23 touchdown passes. Hilltops However, coach Tyson Helton is 4-1 in bowls and will add a close win to his ledger.”

College football news: James Madison 34, Western Kentucky 16

“This one will be tough. Not only is WKU hammered by the transfer portal, but James Madison star QB Alonza Barnett III is injured with an apparent leg injury (and won’t play). James Madison should be okay enough to make it. There’s a decent next-man stuff with this team, but WKU is way too (damaged) by losses to last.”

Athletics: James Madison wins

All nine experts at The Athletic picked James Madison to beat Western Kentucky in the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl.

BetMGM: JMU wins, WKU covers

BetMGM’s betting model gives James Madison a 70.5% chance to beat Western Kentucky starting Friday, December 13th based on game simulations, offensive and defensive matchups and recent game results. But the model predicts with 55.1% confidence that Western Kentucky will cover the spread.

USA Today college football bowl schedule

Boca Raton Bowl betting odds, spread and lines

The James Madison Dukes are favorites to defeat the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers according to BetMGM odds.

Odds from Tuesday evening:

  • Spread: James Madison (-7)
  • Money line: James Madison (-275); Western Kentucky (+225)
  • Above/below: 51.5

How to watch the Boca Raton Bowl: TV, streaming and schedule

  • Date: Wednesday 18 Dec
  • Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: FAU Stadium (Boca Raton, Florida)
  • TV: ESPN
  • Streaming: Fubo

See WKU vs. JMU with Fubo

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