The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and the Navy Midshipmen couldn’t be more different in how they move the first-down chains, but their common thread is both are smarting from losing their regular-season finale.
Quarterback Ryan Higgins and Lousiana Tech are listed as six-point betting favorites against Navy in the matchup for the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas on Friday, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
The Bulldogs are on a two-loss skid but are 8-3 straight-up in their last 11 games following a loss. Navy, which of course had a 14-year win streak against Army snapped on December 10, is 1-4 against the spread in its last five games against Conference USA teams.
Higgins has the luxury of two big-time receivers, Carlos Henderson and Trent Taylor, who have combined for almost 3,000 receiving yards. Whether Navy can control the tempo with their bruising triple option might count on the decision-making by sophomore QB Zach Abey, who is making only his second career start. Abey struggled mightily in the emotional loss against Army.
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are 6.5-point favorites against the Memphis Tigers in the Boca Raton Bowl, which takes place Tuesday. Western Kentucky’s Mike White led his offense to 45 points per game and Memphis’ Riley Ferguson led his to 39.5, but the Tigers also have the more opportunistic defense. That said, WKU is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games against the AAC.
The BYU Cougars are favored by 10 points against the Wyoming Cowboys for the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego on Wednesday. The Cougars, who are 6-4 ATS in the last two seasons when favored by a touchdown or more, could have their way against a Wyoming defense that allows 464 yards per game. The Cougars’ defense gives up 364 yards per outing.
The Colorado State Rams are 13-point favorites against the Idaho Vandals in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise on Thursday. The Rams’ 7-0 ATS streak has been built largely by the combo of QB Nick Stevens and WR Nick Gallup. Idaho is 1-8 SU in their last nine games against Mountain West teams and is 112th in passing yards allowed, but their 15 interceptions attests to a certain peskiness.
The Old Dominion Monarchs are four-point favorites against the Eastern Michigan Eagles in the Bahamas Bowl in Nassau, Bahamas on Friday. Old Dominion QB David Washington has been proficient with a 28-to-4 TD/interception ratio and the Eagles have a shaky defense that allows more than 435 yards per game.
The Troy Trojans are 3.5-point favorites against the Ohio Bobcats in the Dollar General Bowl, which takes place in Mobile, Alabama, on Friday. The Trojans are playing close to home and QB Brandon Silvers’ efficiency could win the day in a matchup between teams with strong offenses and good rush defenses.
And the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and Hawaii Warriors square off in the Aloha Bowl in Honolulu on Saturday. Oddsmakers are waiting for see whether Blue Raiders QB Brent Stockstill (collarbone) will be cleared to play or redshirt freshman John Urzua will have to start. Hawaii is 0-6 SU in their last six games after consecutive wins.