The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and Old Dominion Monarchs will head to Charlotte, N.C., for the 2023 Famous Toastery Bowl on Monday. The game was previously known as the Bahamas Bowl but was moved to Jerry Richardson Stadium because of renovations to the venue in Nassau. WKU (7-5) finished fourth in Conference USA and won three of their final four games, while the Monarchs (6-6) finished third in the Sun Belt. The Hilltoppers have won six of seven meetings between the former C-USA foes.
Monday’s kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET. The Monarchs are 4.5-point favorites in the latest Western Kentucky vs. Old Dominion odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 51.5. Before you make any Old Dominion vs. Western Kentucky picks, be sure to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer simulation model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a strong profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. The model enters bowl season a profitable 13-9 on top-rated spread picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on WKU vs. Old Dominion and just revealed its picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several college football odds and betting lines for Old Dominion vs. WKU:
- WKU vs. ODU spread: Monarchs -4.5
- WKU vs. ODU over/under: 51.5 points
- WKU vs. ODU money line: Hilltoppers +162, Monarchs -195
- WKU: Austin Reed has at least 250 passing yards in 10 of 12 games.
- ODU: Allowed more than 250 passing yards in three of their past nine.
- WKU vs. ODU picks: See picks at SportsLine
- WKU vs. ODU live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why Old Dominion can cover
The Monarchs have kept nearly every game close, faced a tough schedule, and could be more motivated. Their first bowl appearance and only victory came in the Bahamas Bowl. Five of their six losses were within one score, including a 30-27 loss to James Madison. ODU has a balanced offense run by quarterback Grant Wilson and faces a Hilltoppers defense that allows 428 yards (117th in FBS), 189.8 rushing yards (123rd) and 28.2 points (88th) per game.
Wilson has thrown for 2,026 yards and 16 touchdowns, but the running game should be the key Monday. Monarchs running backs Kadarius Calloway and Keshawn Wicks have combined for 1,146 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, and Calloway averages 7.6 yards per carry. Receivers Reymello Murphy and Kelby Williams both average more than 18 yards per reception, combining for 923 yards. See which team to pick here.
Why Western Kentucky cover
The Hilltoppers have an average winning margin of 19 points in going 6-1 against ODU. They come off a 41-28 victory against Florida International where quarterback Austin Reed threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns. Reed leads a WKU offense that averages 286 passing yards per game, 19th-most in the nation. The Hilltoppers score 29.8 points per game while the Monarchs average 22.9. All-CUSA receiver Malachi Corley is expected to play on Monday.
Reed has thrown for 3,340 yards and 31 touchdowns, and Corley has been his top option. Corley is a strong draft prospect and is shunning the advice of some to play in the game. He has 75 catches for 958 yards and a CUSA-leading 11 touchdowns. The Monarchs can’t rush the passer or protect their own, posting just 15 sacks while yielding 61, five more than any other FBS team. See which team to pick here.
How to make Western Kentucky vs. Old Dominion picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 57 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 60% of simulations. You can only get the model’s pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Western Kentucky vs. Old Dominion, and which side of the spread hits in nearly 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that’s up over $2,000 on its top-rated college football picks, and find out.
