Salute to Veterans Bowl: South Alabama vs. Western Michigan Picks, Predictions and Odds

The Salute to Veterans Bowl kicks off bowl season on Saturday, December 14 at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama, with the South Alabama Jaguars and Western Michigan Broncos facing off under the lights at 9 PM ET on ESPN.

Both teams enter at 6-6, aiming to end the season on a high note. South Alabama, representing the Sun Belt Conference, have shown flashes of dominance this season but struggled with consistency.

The Jaguars finished 5-3 in conference play and boast a dynamic freshman duo in quarterback Gio Lopez and running back Fluff Bothwell.

Western Michigan, out of the MAC, also finished 5-3 in league play but failed to defeat top-tier competition.

The Broncos rely on senior quarterback Hayden Wolff and Oklahoma State transfer running back Jaden Nixon to anchor an offense that has been inconsistent at times.

South Alabama vs. Western Michigan betting picks and predictions

South Alabama -7.0 (-110)

South Alabama enters the Salute to Veterans Bowl with momentum, having won three of their last four games to close out the regular season.

Despite a narrow 45-38 loss to Texas State in the regular season finale, the Jaguars have shown resilience all year, including a signature 24-22 win over Sun Belt West Division champion UL Lafayette on the road.

The Jaguars’ offense has been led by Lopez and Bothwell, who have combined for over 3,800 total yards and 25 touchdowns this season. Lopez’s dual-threat ability complements Bothwell’s explosive rushing style, while senior wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett has been a go-to target with 1,127 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

Defensively, South Alabama has the edge over Western Michigan. The Jaguars rank in the top 40 nationally in red zone defense, while the Broncos sit near the bottom at 126th. 

Additionally, South Alabama’s defense has been opportunistic, forcing 15 interceptions this season, and is far better on third-down defense (69th nationally) than Western Michigan (102nd).

Western Michigan’s defense, ranked 119th in estimated points added (EPA) per dropback allowed, has struggled to contain opposing quarterbacks, which could spell trouble against a versatile playmaker like Lopez.

Although the Broncos feature a solid rushing attack led by Nixon, they lack the explosiveness to keep up with South Alabama’s balanced offense, which has shown the ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, ranking 50th nationally in red zone offense.

With South Alabama’s offensive efficiency and defensive superiority in key situations, expect the Jaguars to control the game, wear down the Broncos’ defense and cover the spread comfortably.

Under 57.5 Total Points (-110)

While both teams have offensive talent, the matchup suggests a slower-paced game that leans toward the Under. Both teams rely heavily on the run game, which tends to chew up clock and limit possessions.

The Jaguars’ trio of Lopez, Bothwell and Kentrel Bullock (701 yards, 6 TDs) will face off against a Western Michigan rushing attack led by Nixon (874 yards, 12 TDs) and supported by Jalen Buckley and Zahir Abdus Salaam, who combined for over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Both teams are likely to establish the ground game early, particularly with South Alabama’s young offense needing time to find its rhythm. The Jaguars’ offense, though efficient, is led by freshmen at quarterback and running back, which may lead to a cautious start in their first bowl game.

Western Michigan, meanwhile, has struggled on third downs offensively, ranking 114th nationally in conversion rate. Combined with South Alabama’s respectable third-down defense (69th nationally), the Broncos may struggle to sustain drives.

Western Michigan’s inefficiencies on defense, especially in third-down and red-zone situations, could lead to longer, time-consuming drives rather than quick scores.

Given both teams’ tendencies to lean on the run and their inconsistent offensive performances this season, backing Under 57.5 total points feels like the best play. Expect a physical game that falls short of the posted total.

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South Alabama vs. Western Michigan odds

South Alabama	-290 ML
Western Michigan	+235 ML
Spread	South Alabama -7.0
Total Points	O/U 57.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.