Who will play for James Madison and Western Kentucky in the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl? That’s the question that comes to mind in the first football game between these two schools when they meet on Wednesday at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida.
Since losing to Jacksonville State in the Conference USA championship game last month, Western Kentucky (8-5) has had at least 27 players enter the transfer portal, including starting quarterback and C-USA Offensive Player of the Year Caden Veltkamp. James Madison (8-4) is the favorite, although it is expected to be without starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III after he suffered an injury in the team’s loss to Marshall in the regular-season finale.
On paper, James Madison’s rushing attack was in the top 30 in the country that year and would appear to give the Dukes an advantage as Western Kentucky had a rushing defense that ranked last in the conference and among the five worst in the country counted. However, since there will be personnel changes compared to the regular season, there is a lot of intrigue about what each team might look like this season.
Here’s what else you should know about the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl matchup between Western Kentucky and James Madison, including predictions, betting odds and ways to watch:
PREDICTIONS: Our experts make unique picks for each bowl game
Western Kentucky vs. James Madison Predictions
USA TODAY: JMU is unanimous choice
Scooby Axon: James MadisonJordan Mendoza: James MadisonPaul Myerberg: James MadisonErick Smith: James MadisonEddie Timanus: James MadisonDan Clouds: James Madison
ESPN: Western Kentucky 28, James Madison 26
“Both teams are strong enough on defense and can distribute the ball in the passing game, as WKU’s Caden Veltkamp has 23 touchdown passes. However, Hilltoppers coach Tyson Helton is 4-1 in bowls and will add a narrow win to his record.”
College Football News: James Madison 34, Western Kentucky 16
“It’s going to be hard. Not only is WKU knocked out of the transfer portal, but James Madison star QB Alonza Barnett III is suffering from an apparent leg injury (and won’t play). James Madison should be fine to get through. “There’s a decent next-man-up thing on this team, but WKU is way too (hurt) by losses to compete.”
The Athletic: James Madison wins
All nine of The Athletic’s experts picked James Madison to beat Western Kentucky in the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl.
BetMGM: JMU wins, WKU covers
BetMGM’s betting model gives James Madison a 70.5 percent chance of beating Western Kentucky as of Friday, December 13, based on game simulations, offensive and defensive matchups and current game results. But the model predicts with 55.1% confidence that western Kentucky will contain the spread.
USA Today College Football Bowl schedule
Boca Raton Bowl game odds, spread and lines
According to BetMGM odds, the James Madison Dukes are the favorites to win over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
Betting odds as of Tuesday evening :
Spread: James Madison (-7)Money line: James Madison (-275); Western Kentucky (+225)Over/Under: 51.5
How to watch the Boca Raton Bowl: TV, streaming and schedule
Date: Wednesday December 18thTime : 5:30 p.m. ETLocation: FAU Stadium (Boca Raton, Florida)TV: ESPNStreaming: Fubo
Watch WKU vs. JMU with Fubo
We may occasionally recommend products and services that may be of interest to you. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may receive an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently and this has no influence on our reporting.
