2023 68 Ventures Bowl Lines - S. Alabama vs. E. Michigan Odds

68 Ventures Bowl Lines - South Alabama vs. Eastern Michigan Odds

The 68 Ventures Bowl will be played at South Alabama's home venue, Hancock Whitney Stadium. It will take place on Saturday, December 23. The Jaguars will face 6-6 Eastern Michigan out of the Mid-American Conference. After playing in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl a season ago, the accepted invitation to this year's 68 Ventures Bowl marks the fourth bowl game appearance in South Alabama history. It is also the first time in program history the Jags will make bowl game appearances in consecutive seasons. South previously played in both the 2014 Camellia Bowl and 2016 Arizona Bowl. The Jags are still seeking the first bowl championship in school history. The Eagles entered their final two games of the 2023 season with a 4-6 record, needing to win both remaining games to clinch bowl eligibility. EMU did just that, earning a double-overtime win against Akron and a 24-11 victory at Buffalo in the season finale.

2023 68 Ventures Bowl at a Glance

Date: Saturday, December 23, 2023

Time (ET) / TV: 7:00 PM / ESPN

Venue: Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Alabama

Matchup: South Alabama Jaguars vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles

College Football Betting Lines

South Alabama Jaguars -16

Eastern Michigan Eagles +16

Total: 46

Money Line: South Alabama -700, Eastern Michigan +506

68 Ventures Bowl Preview

Last game, the South Alabama Jaguars lost 52-44 against the Texas State Bobcats as 6-point home favorites. The game went over the total of 58. South Alabama has a record of 6-6 straight up, 4-8 against the spread, and 6-6 over/under the total. South Alabama ranks 38th for total offense, 36th for passing, 62nd for rushing and 46th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 28th overall, 40th against the pass, 28th against the rush, and 36th for points allowed. Also, South Alabama ranks 104th for fewest turnovers lost and 45th for takeaways.

Last game, the Eastern Michigan Eagles won 24-11 against the Buffalo Bulls as 5-point road dogs. The game went under the total of 38. Eastern Michigan has a record of 6-6 straight up, 6-5-1 against the spread, and 6-6 over/under the total. Eastern Michigan ranks 131st for total offense, 124th for passing, 111th for rushing and 114th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 71st overall, 34th against the pass, 112th against the rush, and 53rd for points allowed. Also, Eastern Michigan ranks 31st for fewest turnovers lost and 117th for takeaways.

68 Ventures Bowl Prediction

In this situation, South Alabama has a literal home field advantage and superior metrics.

68 Ventures Bowl Format

Founded in 1999, the former LendingTree Bowl is held at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. This will be the second time the 68 Ventures Bowl is held at this venue. Previously, Ladd Peebles Stadium was home to the LendingTree Bowl. Hancock Whitney Stadium is home to the South Alabama Jaguars.

Concurrently, the 68 Ventures Bowl has tie-ins with the Sun Belt and the MAC. The payout for this bowl game is $1.5 million.

68 Ventures Bowl Past Results

LendingTree Bowl action has entertained fans with high-scoring offensive shootouts in recent years. Six of the last eight LendingTree Bowl matchups saw the winning team score 34 or more points. Seven different schools have won the previous eight Lending Tree Bowls.

In 2022, Southern Miss became the winningest team in 68 Ventures Bowl history. The Eagles beat the Rice Owls 38-24. MVP RB Frank Gore Jr ran for 329 yards and two TDs.

2023-24 College Football Bowl Games

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