This year’s Boca Raton Bowl is a bit of a mystery thanks to the circumstances James Madison and Western Kentucky will confront when they face one another Wednesday at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida.
Western Kentucky (8-5) is the decided underdog despite making it to the Conference-USA championship game. Quarterback Caden Veltkamp, the league’s offensive player of the year, and backup T.J. Finley are among 27 Western Kentucky players who have entered the transfer portal as of Friday, Dec. 13, according to ESPN. The Hilltoppers, who lost three of their final four games, have a very fluid roster heading into the program’s sixth consecutive bowl appearance under coach Tyson Helton.
James Madison (8-4) lost back-to-back games to close out coach Bob Chesney’s first season after replacing Curt Cignetti in Harrisonburg, Virginia, but there is no controversy this season as to whether the Dukes will go bowling this year. Their quarterback situation, however, is unsettled heading into the postseason. Chesney told reporters starter Alonza Barnett III is unlikely to play in the team’s bowl game after suffering an apparent leg injury at the end of JMU’s loss to Marshall in its regular season finale. The sophomore threw for almost 2,600 yards, 26 touchdown passes and just four interceptions, while leading JMU in rushing touchdowns this year.
The 2024 Boca Raton Bowl will be the first-ever game between Western Kentucky and James Madison in football. Here’s what else to know about the matchup, including predictions, betting odds and how to watch:
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2024 Boca Raton Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. James Madison predictions
USA TODAY: JMU is unanimous pick
- Scooby Axon: James Madison
- Jordan Mendoza: James Madison
- Paul Myerberg: James Madison
- Erick Smith: James Madison
- Eddie Timanus: James Madison
- Dan Wolken: James Madison
ESPN: Western Kentucky 28, James Madison 26
“Both teams are capable enough on defense and can spread the ball around in the passing game, as WKU’s Caden Veltkamp has 23 touchdown passes. Hilltoppers coach Tyson Helton is 4-1 in bowls, though, and will add a close win to his ledger.”
College Football News: James Madison 34, Western Kentucky 16
“This one will be rough. Not only is WKU hammered by the transfer portal, but James Madison star QB Alonza Barnett III is hurting with an apparent leg injury (and won’t play). James Madison should be okay enough to get by. There’s a decent next-man-up thing happening with this team, but WKU is way too (hurt) by losses to hold up.”
The Athletic: James Madison wins
All nine experts at The Athletic 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% chance of beating Western Kentucky as of Friday, Dec. 13, based on game simulations, offensive and defensive matchups and recent game result. But the model predicts with 55.1% confidence that Western Kentucky will cover the spread.
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2024 Boca Raton Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. JMU odds
The James Madison Dukes are favorites to defeat the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, according to the BetMGM odds.
Betting odds as of evening of Monday, Dec. 16:
- Spread: James Madison (-6.5)
- Moneyline: James Madison (-250); Western Kentucky (+200)
- Over/under: 51.5
Boca Raton Bowl 2024: How to watch WKU vs. JMU
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Stream: Fubo
- Where: FAU Stadium (Boca Raton, Florida)
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