The 2023 Famous Toastery Bowl has been known as the Bahamas Bowl in year’s past. However, for the first time and maybe the last time, we have the first ever Famous Toastery Bowl, with the matchup of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers going up against the Old Dominion Monarchs. The Hilltoppers come into this one winning three out of their last four games. Western Kentucky has appeared in nine bowl games and has a 6-3 record in those games. Old Dominion comes into this one winning their final two regular season games to become bowl eligible for the third time in program history. The Monarchs are 1-1 in their two previous bowl appearances. Coming into this game, Old Dominion is a 4.5 point favorite with the over/under set at 51.5. Here is my preview for the 2023 Famous Toastery Bowl.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers weren’t as electric as they were a season ago offensively. They average 29.8 points per game while averaging 287.9 passing yards per game (23rd in the nation). However, Western Kentucky will be without some key pieces offensively. They will be without three starting offensive lineman including 2-time All C-USA first teamer Quantavious Leslie who is entering the transfer portal. The Hilltoppers probably won’t have Austin Reed in this bowl game as well. If Reed doesn’t go they will rely on third string quarterback Turner Helton, a redshirt freshman, to start. One good thing for this offense is that it looks like stud wideout Malachi Corley will play in the bowl game. He will be key for this offense as the Hilltoppers are thin offensively.
Defensively, the Hilltoppers have struggled in 2023. They allow 28.2 points per game to go along with 441.3 total yards of offense allowed per game. The biggest struggle for them is stopping the run. Western Kentucky gives up 189.8 rushing yards per game which ranks them 235th in the country. This defense will lose three starters in the transfer portal as of right now but there could be more due to reports. I don’t trust this Western Kentucky defense in this spot.
Old Dominion Monarchs
The Old Dominion Monarchs have been alright offensively in 2023. They average 22.9 points per game and they average 380.3 total yards of offense per game. Old Dominion will be without wideout Javon Harvey, who was their third leading receiver, as he enters the transfer portal. This offense runs through guys like quarterback Grant Wilson (2,026 passing yards 16 touchdowns and 7 interceptions) and a running back duo of Kadarius Calloway (594 rushing yards, 7.6 yards per carry 4 touchdowns) and Keshawn Wicks (552 rushing yards, 5 yards per carry and 4 touchdowns). This offense needs these three to be effective if they want to win against Western Kentucky.
Defensively, the Monarchs were good in 2023. They allow 26.3 points per game to go along with 394.6 total yards of offense allowed per game. The Monarchs are going to be without star linebacker Jason Henderson, who led the nation in tackles, due to an injury. They also will be without starting safety Terry Jones who had 107 tackles in 2023 as well. Old Dominion has given up 30+ points four times in 2023. They are 0-4 in those games. Their defense hasn’t given up a ton of points in most of their games. I see their defense taking a little bit of a step back without their two top tacklers.
Betting Trends
-Old Dominion is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 meetings against Western Kentucky.
-The under has hit in 5 out of ODU’s last 7 games overall.
-Western Kentucky is 13-7 straight up in their last 20 games overall.
-Western Kentucky is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
The Don’s Best Bet
After a 4-4 start off bowl season, we have one play in this one that will take us to the cash counter. The play in this one is under 51.5 -110 for one unit. I think these offenses are going to struggle to put up points and this is a 24-20 type of game. Ride the under in this one and I’ll see you at the cash counter.