Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7-5) vs. Old Dominion Monarchs (6-6)
Western Kentucky vs. Old Dominion December 18, 2023 – The NCAAF Famous Toastery Bowl will see two storied teams collide as Western Kentucky Hilltoppers stand tall with a 7-5 record against Old Dominion Monarchs who have balanced out their season at 6-6. Set to take place Monday December 18, 2023, this match-up promises not just an epic contest between teams but a showcase of strategy, skill and determination to claim victory; fans and bettors alike are eagerly seeking free NCAAF Bowl picks in order to gain insight into this unique contest.
Western Kentucky vs. Old Dominion December 18, 2023 Game Info
When: | Monday, December 18, at 2:30 PM ET |
Where: | Jerry Richardson Stadium |
TV: | ESPN+ |
Stream: | ESPN app and affiliated streaming services |
Austin Reed QB vs. Grant Wilson QB
Austin Reed has been an instrumental component for Western Kentucky this season. Completeing 289 out of 470 passing attempts with 3340 passing yards at an astounding completion percentage of 61.5 and an outstanding average yard per pass attempt average. Reed’s talents are evidenced in his long passes of 75 yards or longer while 11 interceptions indicate some vulnerability when under pressure; his quick decision-making and ability to read defenses allow for him to succeed; but Hilltoppers must keep an eye on how pressure affects his play.
Old Dominion quarterback Grant Wilson has also demonstrated promise with 165 completions from 290 passing attempts and 2026 passing yards accumulated, earning an overall completion rate of 56.9% with 7 yards per pass attempt; although slightly less impressive than Reed, Wilson still poses an intimidating threat; his longest pass of 78 yards highlights his deep field potential; yet, 51 times since being sacked has resulted in losing 304 yards, signaling potential difficulty dealing with defensive pressure; his playing style of resilience and adaptability will be essential against Western Kentucky’s defense.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers: “Rising to the Challenge”
Elijah Young and Malachi Corley play key roles in bolstering the Hilltoppers’ offensive line, particularly on running plays. Young has completed 96 rushing attempts with 464 yards rushed at an averaged of 4.8 yards per rush; his longest rush of 64 yards and three touchdowns add depth to their ground game. Corley averages 12.8 yards per catch on 75 receptions totalling 958 receiving yards, scoring 11 receiving touchdowns as an effective red zone target.
Old Dominion Monarchs: “Monarchs’ Strategic Playmakers”
The Monarchs depend on Running Back Kadarius Calloway and Wide Receiver Reymello Murphy to complement Wilson’s passing game. Calloway averaged an impressive 7.6 yards per rush attempt from 78 attempts for dynamic scoring potential while Murphy, with 27 receptions and 495 receiving yards, averaged an astounding 18.3 average yards per reception, showing his ability as a deep threat receiver.
NCAAF Betting Odds: Old Dominion Monarchs -160, Over/Under: 54
Old Dominion Monarchs have an advantage in betting odds at -160 moneyline; their total score should reach 54 points. This suggests a close contest with perhaps just one team having an edge – possibly Old Dominion Monarchs.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Trends
Western Kentucky has experienced both positive and negative trends over its past six games, going 1-5 against the spread in that span while remaining 13-7 overall over 20 contests. Their games against Old Dominion have consistently gone over in total score indicating their tendency for high-scoring encounters.
Old Dominion Monarchs Betting Trends
Old Dominion’s recent betting trends reveal a lack of success against Western Kentucky; going 6-12 SU and 2-5 ATS over their last 18 matches against them. Yet their Conference USA opponent record and East Division performance suggests they can rise to the challenge when presented with familiar environments.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Old Dominion Monarchs Betting Picks
Analysis of both teams’ strengths and weaknesses combined with betting trends indicates a closely contested game between Western Kentucky and the Monarchs, where their superior record and performance against familiar opponents gives them a slight edge; however, don’t discount Western Kentucky’s potency offensively in bowl game situations – their offensive firepower cannot be discounted!
Prop bets on individual player performances may provide valuable guidance for bettors seeking direction, given the strengths of key players like Reed, Young and Corley from Western Kentucky and Wilson, Calloway and Murphy from Old Dominion. An over/under of 54 makes for an attractive wager given both teams’ offensive capabilities. As always, legal betting sites should be used for safe and responsible betting experiences.