The Kennesaw State Owls (10-3) battle the Western Michigan Broncos (9-4) Friday in the Myrtle Beach Bowl in Conway, South Carolina. Kickoff at Brooks Stadium is at 11 a.m. (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA football odds around the Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.
Kennesaw State capped a remarkable season with a 19-15 win over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Conference USA Championship, finishing with a 3-game winning streak and claiming 10 victories in its final 11 outings. The Owls covered as 3-point favorites, with the Under (62) cashing, in a defensive, grind-it-out title game.
In his first season, coach Jerry Mack engineered a stunning turnaround, flipping a 2-10 team into a conference champion. QB Amari Odom emerged as the steadying force, throwing for 2,139 yards, 17 TDs and 6 INTs while adding 379 rushing yards and 7 scores. WR Gabriel Benyard led CUSA with 877 yards and 9 TDs, with WR Christian Moss providing a consistent downfield complement.
Kennesaw State’s offense leaned pass-heavy, ranking 52nd nationally, while the run game remained serviceable behind RB Coleman Bennett and RB Chase Belcher. Defensively, the Owls started strong but faded late, finishing 109th in yards allowed. The championship marks the program’s first CUSA title and sets up another bowl appearance as momentum carries into the postseason.
Western Michigan closed the 2025 season on a 5-game winning streak, punctuated by a 23-13 win over the Miami RedHawks in the Mid-American Conference Championship. The Broncos covered as 2.5-point favorites, with the Under (44) cashing, and completed a remarkable turnaround after an 0-3 start. Western won 9 of its final 10 games behind one of the conference’s best rushing attacks, averaging 196.6 yards per game and controlling possession for more than 32 minutes per contest.
The offense revolved around first-team All-MAC QB Broc Lowry, who rushed for 940 yards and a league-high 14 TDs while adding 1,683 passing yards with just 2 INTs. RB Jalen Buckley delivered his best performance in the title game, piling up 193 rushing yards and 2 scores. Defensively, the Broncos surged late, allowing only 14.5 points per game to MAC opponents and ranking among the league’s most efficient units.
Western Michigan enters bowl season seeking redemption after its last postseason appearance. The Broncos lost 30-23 to the South Alabama Jagaurs in the 2024 Salute to Veterans Bowl, despite an early 10-0 lead, and were outgained 537-196. That setback adds extra motivation as this group looks to finish a championship season on a higher note.
These 2 schools have never met on the football field.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 10:45 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Kennesaw State +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Western Michigan -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Kennesaw State +3 (-105) | Western Michigan -3 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 47.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan picks and predictions
Prediction
Western Michigan 24, Kennesaw State 23
PASS.
This will be a battle from start to finish, coming down to the last possession. I’ll take the points in a game like that.
BET KENNESAW STATE +3 (-105).
I’m grabbing the points with the Owls here. This feels like a classic Group of 5 bowl matchup where the spread matters more than the winner. Western Michigan deserves credit for its MAC title and physical, run-first identity, but Kennesaw State has been the hotter and more explosive team down the stretch.
The Owls won 10 of their final 11 games and capped it with a gritty Conference USA title win over Jacksonville State. Even in their lone loss during that stretch, they outgained the opponent. That kind of week-to-week consistency travels well in bowl games. Odom gives Kennesaw State a clear edge at quarterback, especially through the air. His accuracy, mobility and ability to create chunk plays separate this offense from most Group of 5 units.
Western Michigan wants to control the game on the ground, and its defense is solid, but Kennesaw State’s passing attack should test that unit more than most MAC offenses did. The Owls average nearly 246 passing yards per game and generate explosive plays at a much higher rate than the Broncos.
This sets up as a tight, competitive game between conference champs. With Kennesaw State’s momentum and offensive upside, taking the points feels like the right side.
BET UNDER 47.5 (-110).
Both teams are coming off defensive conference championship wins that totaled just 34 and 36 points, yet this number has been pushed into the upper 40s. Western Michigan’s game plan is clear: Lean on the run, control the clock, and keep Kennesaw State’s explosive passing attack on the sideline. The Broncos ranked among the nation’s leaders in time of possession and want this game played at their pace.
Kennesaw State can move the ball, but its red-zone efficiency has been shaky, and Western Michigan’s defense has been reliable on third down all season. Neither offense is built to play fast, and both coaching staffs are comfortable winning ugly. With long drives, limited possessions, and 2 teams that just held opponents to 15 points or fewer in title games, the Under remains the best angle.
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