On December 14, 2024, the South Alabama Jaguars are set to take on the Western Michigan Broncos in the very first Salute to Veterans Bowl at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. This game is a big deal for both teams, as they aim to wrap up their seasons on a positive note after both ending with the same 6-6 record.
Game Details
Date: December 14, 2024
Time: 9 PM ET
Venue: Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Alabama
Team Profiles
South Alabama Jaguars
The Jaguars have been pretty explosive on offense this season, racking up an average of 433.9 yards per game, which puts them at 29th in the FBS. They’ve also been scoring well, averaging 34.8 points per game, landing them at 21st in the nation.
Key Players:
Quarterback: Bishop Davenport has become a key asset for the Jaguars, demonstrating his talent with a solid passing game and making a big impact on the team’s offensive approach.
Running Back: Fluff Bothwell has really shined in the backfield, racking up more than 1,000 rushing yards and finding the end zone several times, so he’s definitely someone to keep an eye on in this game.
South Alabama’s defense has had its ups and downs, giving up around 399.9 yards and 25.3 points each game. Their secondary has really been a weak spot, surrendering more than 253 passing yards on average.
Western Michigan Broncos
The Broncos’ season has been a bit of a rollercoaster, but they clinched their spot in the bowl games with a crucial win against Eastern Michigan late in the season. They rack up about 374.4 yards per game, which puts them at 82nd in the FBS, and they put up an average of 29.4 points, landing them at 55th.
Key Players:
Quarterback: Hayden Wolff is at the helm of the Broncos’ offense. He’s had a pretty good season, racking up 1,962 passing yards and boasting a completion rate of 67.8%. Even though he’s dealt with some ups and downs, he’s made a big impact on their passing game.
Running Back: Sean Tyler has really made an impact on the field, playing a key role in their running game with almost 900 rushing yards and several touchdowns.
Western Michigan’s defense has had a tough time, giving up an average of 404.3 yards and a worrying 31.4 points each game. Their run defense is especially lacking, surrendering more than 186 yards on the ground per game.
Recent Performance
Both teams have experienced their fair share of highs and lows as they head into this bowl game:
South Alabama has had some ups and downs lately, scoring impressive victories over Louisiana-Monroe and Southern Miss, but they’ve also faced some tough defeats against teams like LSU and Texas State.
Western Michigan’s strong finish to the season featured an important victory over Eastern Michigan, but it was overshadowed by defeats to Central Michigan and Bowling Green.
Key Matchups
South Alabama’s Offense vs. Western Michigan’s Defense
The Jaguars need to take advantage of Western Michigan’s defensive flaws if they want to succeed. With a solid ground game and a decent passing attack, South Alabama aims to dictate the pace of the game.
Western Michigan’s Offense vs. South Alabama’s Defense
The Broncos have to figure out how to effectively advance the ball against a South Alabama defense that can be prone to giving up big plays. Salopek’s performance will be key in deciding if WMU can keep up with South Alabama’s scoring.
South Alabama seems ready to take this game based on the stats and how both teams have been playing lately. The Jaguars have a powerful offense that should exploit Western Michigan’s weak spots on defense, but their own defense will have to rise to the occasion to keep Tyler and Wolff in check.
Sports Betting Ace’s Final Score Prediction: South Alabama 38, Western Michigan 24
This score shows how strong South Alabama’s offense is, especially when you consider Western Michigan’s defensive issues this season. The Salute to Veterans Bowl is set to be a thrilling matchup, with both teams looking to snag a bowl win and build some momentum for next season.