Legal betting sites favor the Boise State Broncos by a field goal over the Boston College Eagles. The Broncos became the Mountain West’s Mountain division champions with a 10-3 record (7-1 in conference play). BSU also went 7-5-1 ATS this season, according to the best online sportsbooks. Boise State lost the MW championship game 16-19 to Fresno State as 1.5-point home chalk. This will be the Broncos 16th consecutive bowl appearance, dating back to 2003. This will be their first First Responder Bowl. Which figures, what with it being the bowl ever under that moniker. It used to be known as the Heart of Dallas Bowl, though.
The Eagles finished fourth in the ACC’s Atlantic Division with a 7-5 record (4-4 in conference play). In addition, BC had a 7-5 ATS record during the regular season. They’re coming off a 21-42 loss to Syracuse as five-point home favorites. This will be the Eagles’ third straight bowl appearance.
Betting Boston College
The Eagles are like the Steelers of the NFL. Their run game is nothing special. BC ranks No. 50 in rushing yards per game (189.1). But like the Steelers, they have that one special running back who is among the best in his position. In the case of Boston College, that running back is sophomore AJ Dillon. Even though he has missed two games this season, Dillon has 1108 yards and 10 TDs on the ground. The run game will be essential for the Eagles to cover the legal betting sites spread. More on that later.
As far as the pass game goes, starting QB Anthony Brown had 251 yards, three TDs, and two picks in BC’s regular season closing game. One of those TD passes was a 69-yard reception for Jeff Smith.
Betting Boise State
The Broncos have a pretty decent run defense. They allow 122.9 yards on the ground per game. That ranks them 23rd in the country. However, they allowed Oklahoma State 176 rushing yards. OK State was not only one of three losses for BSU this season. It was also the only Power 5 team they have faced. Until now that is. As seen above, the Broncos have a not-so-secret weapon in AJ Dillon. Boise State’s defensive players better be doing their homework ahead of the First Responders Bowl. Or just hope Dillon misses a third game. But that would be malicious.
Boston College Eagles vs. Boise State Broncos – First Responder Bowl Preview
- Date: December 26
- Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Cotton Bowl Stadium Dallas, TX (First Responder Bowl)
Odds from GTBets.eu:
- Boston College +3 (-115) 55½ (-110) +130
- Boise State -3 (-105) 55½ (-110)
Betting Trends
- The Eagles are 9-3-1 ATS versus a team with a winning record
- The Eagles are 3-1-1 ATS in their last five neutral-site games
- The Eagles are 15-6-1 ATS in the last 22 overall
- The Eagles are 2-7 ATS in the last nine bowl games
- The Broncos are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four on grass
- The Broncos are 5-1 ATS in the last six Wednesday games
- The Broncos are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 bowl games
- The Broncos are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 neutral-site games
Our Game Prediction: Boston College is among the best the ACC has to offer. If we don’t count Clemson, Purdue, and Syracuse, that is. And Boise State is among the best the MW has to offer, period. Which puts both schools on pretty much an even keel. The Eagles may be part of the better conference, but the Broncos have the better team, period. Take the Broncos to cover the spread as established by legal betting sites.
