By Doug Kezirian
Updated 12/18/23 2:28am ET
Bowl season officially began last Saturday with six games but I have always felt a weekday afternoon kickoff is what truly signifies this pastime. And we have a doozy with two teams that most casual fans and bettors have never watched with a line move of 5.5 points – and counting.
Western Kentucky QB Austin Reed is not expected to play but has not officially been ruled out in the Famous Toastery Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina. That is why we have seen Old Dominion get steamed. The Monarchs are now laying 4.5 points but that could go higher, if Reed’s status becomes official in the morning.
We all know that quarterback is a significant position but occasionally the backup can replicate the production. For example, in the Myrtle Beach Bowl, Ohio third-stringer Parker Navarro dominated the game and the underdog Bobcats won convincingly. As for this game, Reed is a senior who orchestrates a powerful offense, thanks to his 31 passing touchdowns and 138.3 rating. The backup is freshman Turner Helton, who has only thrown eight passes. This is a giant dropoff.
As for the Monarchs, there is not a ton of positives. They faced 11 FBS opponents and were an underdog in nine games and then only favored by a point and 2.5 in the other two. The betting market doesn’t exactly love them. But the suspect pass defense is unlikely to face Reed, who has the capability to shred them, so this figures to set up well for them.
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