The 2025 college football bowl season continues with a matchup in South Carolina between Kennesaw State and Western Michigan in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. This game kicks off Friday at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN.
In just their second year in the FBS, the Kennesaw State Owls (10-3) won the Conference USA title, improving from a 2-10 record the previous season. The Western Michigan Broncos (9-4) had their first winning season since 2021 and claimed their first MAC title since 2016.
Let’s look at our Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan prediction and picks for the Myrtle Beach Bowl, including PrizePicks Team Picks data for the matchup.
Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan Prediction, Preview
This will be the first-ever meeting between these teams, as well as the first bowl game for Kennesaw State since joining the FBS in 2024. Western Michigan makes its 13th bowl appearance, holding a 2-10 record in past bowl games.
Without any opt-outs to report, Kennesaw State and Western Michigan could field their top talent. Below, we'll examine factors that may influence the final score.
Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan Myrtle Beach Bowl Winner Payouts
Kennesaw State enters Friday as underdogs, returning a 2.27x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
Western Michigan, meanwhile, is the favorite, returning a 1.56x payout with an outright victory on Friday via PrizePicks Team Picks.
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan Prediction on Game Winner
Rookie head coach Jerry Mack bringing his background to the Owls was a big part of their success. He has NFL experience, serving as RBs coach with the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars from 2021-2024. His Kennesaw State group had a slow start, averaging 19.4 points in its first four games, but that increased to 33.9 in the last eight.
QB Amari Odom's ability to gain yards with his arm and legs helps, too. He has more than 230 combined passing and rushing yards in seven outings, including four straight. RBs Coleman Bennett and Chase Belcher each average over 4.6 yards per carry.
Western Michigan's plan is typically to establish the run, using read-options and play-action to cover for QB Brock Lowry's shortcomings as a passer. He's exceeded 200 passing yards just twice and hasn't thrown a TD pass in his last four games. Lowry does, however, have 80+ rushing yards in seven of his last eight.
WMU may also count on RB Jalen Buckley, who's on a hot streak. Per Pro Football Focus, from Week 13 through conference championships, he ranked third with 396 rushing yards and 292 yards after contact.
Both teams tend to play high-scoring games, with 10 of Kennesaw State’s 13 games going over the total, while Western Michigan went over in nine of 13. The Owls scored 40+ points in two of their last three, with the Broncos going for 30+ twice in the same span. Kennesaw State was fifth in Conference USA in scoring at 28.3 PPG.
The Owls do well at getting off to fast starts, ranking fifth in first-quarter points per game (10.1). That could be trouble for Western Michigan, which is 43rd in points allowed in the first quarter. Kennesaw State ranks in the 81st percentile in explosive plays overall, per Game on Paper, with Western Michigan being far worse in the fourth percentile.
Make Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan Myrtle Beach Bowl Picks on PrizePicks
Bowl season is underway, with Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan being just one of many games to be played. With PrizePicks’ real-money CFB game, you can cash in on the action for the Myrtle Beach Bowl and more.
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