The Kennesaw State Owls (10-3) and Western Michigan Broncos (9-4) cap their breakthrough seasons in the sixth edition of the Myrtle Beach Bowl, a coastal showcase pitting CUSA champions against MAC title holders in a first-time matchup blending explosive offenses and opportunistic defenses. Kennesaw State, under first-year coach Jerry Mack, completed a stunning FBS turnaround with a 19-15 CUSA Championship comeback over Jacksonville State, marking their first conference crown and bowl berth. Western Michigan, led by Lance Taylor in year three, grinded out a MAC Championship thriller over Miami (OH) to secure their first league title since 2014, but enter as slight favorites amid a balanced attack. This neutral-site debut favors WMU’s experience (11th bowl since 2014), though Kennesaw’s youth (second FBS-eligible year) and up-tempo pace (68 plays/game) could spark fireworks.
Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m. ET from Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina (capacity 21,000; opened 2001, renovated 2014). The oceanfront venue, home to Coastal Carolina, expects a split crowd with WMU’s Midwest faithful traveling strong, but Kennesaw’s Georgia proximity tips the energy.
Broadcast: ESPN (national); streaming on ESPN+ and Fubo.
Weather Forecast
Conway’s mid-December forecast offers mild, bowl-friendly conditions: Mostly cloudy skies at kickoff with temperatures around 55°F, warming slightly to 58°F by halftime before dipping to 52°F late. Winds SSE at 12 mph (gusts to 18 mph), humidity 82%, and a 37% chance of scattered showers (0.1 inches total)—minimal impact on the grass field, but watch for slight slipperiness on deep balls. No delays anticipated; dress in layers for coastal chill.
Team Records and Standings
Kennesaw State’s CUSA dominance (7-1) outpaces WMU’s MAC mark (7-1), but Broncos edge in total defense (18.2 PPG allowed vs. 24.3). Owls lead scoring (28.3 PPG vs. 23.6).
| Team | Overall Record | Conference Record | CUSA/MAC Rank | ATS Record | O/U Record |
| Kennesaw State Owls | 10-3 | 7-1 | 1st | 9-4 | 6-7 |
| Western Michigan Broncos | 9-4 | 7-1 | 1st | 9-3-1 | 7-6 |
Recent Team Forms
Kennesaw surges with championship poise (held Jax State to 15 points); WMU closes gritty but leaky in extras (2 OT wins last 5). Owls average 32.4 PPG in wins; Broncos 21.8 in losses.
Kennesaw State Owls Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats (Kennesaw) |
| Dec. 5 | vs. JSU | W 19-15 | 285 total yds, 1 TO, 41% 3rd down |
| Nov. 29 | vs. Liberty | W 48-42 | 412 total yds, 3 sacks, 50% red zone |
| Nov. 8 | @ NMSU | W 24-21 | 389 total yds, 1 TO, 7/12 3rd down |
| Oct. 28 | vs. UTEP | W 33-20 | 478 total yds, 2 INTs, 55% conv. |
| Oct. 21 | @ FIU | W 45-26 | 456 total yds, 2 sacks, 67% red zone |
- Form Summary: 5-0. Averaging 33.8 PPG scored/24.8 allowed. CUSA title run features Odom’s dual-threat (308 pass yds vs. Ark St.); defense clamps late (under 20 pts in 3/5).
Western Michigan Broncos Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats (WMU) |
| Dec. 6 | vs. Miami OH | W 23-13 | 312 total yds, 2 TOs, 44% conv. |
| Nov. 29 | vs. CMU | W 24-21 | 389 total yds, 1 INT, 60% 3rd down |
| Nov. 22 | vs. EMU | W 42-0 | 478 total yds, 4 TDs pass, 75% red |
| Nov. 15 | vs. Ball St | W 42-0 | 421 total yds, 3 TOs forced, 67% conv |
| Nov. 8 | @ Ohio | L 31-28 | 342 total yds, 2 sacks, 55% 3rd down |
- Form Summary: 4-1. Averaging 26.4 PPG scored/12.6 allowed. MAC title seals streak; Lowry’s arm (201 yds vs. Toledo) shines, but run game inconsistent (112 yds avg.).
Conference vs. Conference: CUSA vs. MAC
MAC holds a narrow all-time edge over CUSA (44-60 overall, 42.3% for CUSA), averaging 26.0-29.8 scores. In bowls, MAC leads 12-8 (60%) since 2014, with overs in 55% (avg. total 55.2 points). CUSA’s transition teams (like Kennesaw) struggle initially (3-7 in FBS bowls), but MAC’s parity favors underdogs (5-4 ATS last 9 cross-conf).
Injury Report
Secondary concerns dominate: Kennesaw’s CB depth tested; WMU’s DBs questionable amid MAC title wear. No major opt-outs reported pre-bowl.
Kennesaw State Owls Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury/Notes |
| J. Washington Jr. (CB) | Probable | Undisclosed (expected to play) |
| D. Franklin (LB) | Questionable | Undisclosed (uncertain vs. WMU) |
Western Michigan Broncos Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury/Notes |
| A. Johanningsmeier (DL) | Questionable | Undisclosed (limited Dec. 6) |
| C. Webb (CB) | Questionable | Undisclosed (uncertain) |
| J. Thomas (CB) | Questionable | Undisclosed (limited Dec. 6) |
Key Player Matchups
Dome-like indoor? No, outdoor stadium—matchups favor speed: Kennesaw’s pass vs. WMU’s secondary.
- Amari Odom (KENN QB, 2,415 pass yds, 18 TD) vs. WMU Secondary (C. Webb/J. Thomas, Q): Odom’s mobility (101 rush yds vs. Ark St.) tests banged-up DBs allowing 139.9 pass yds/gm. Edge: Odom—projected 250+ yds, over 225.5 prop.
- Jalen Buckley (WMU RB, 964 rush yds, 8 TD) vs. Kennesaw Front: Buckley’s vision (5.2 YPC) exploits Owls’ run D (3.8 YPC allowed); wrist fracture lingers but he played through. Edge: Buckley—over 90 rush yds.
- Gabriel Benyard (KENN WR, 912 rec yds, 8 TD) vs. WMU CBs: Benyard’s routes (15.2 YPC) vs. questionable coverage; deep threat feasts. Edge: Benyard—over 75 rec yds.
- Broc Lowry (WMU QB, 2,895 pass yds, 16 TD) vs. Kennesaw Secondary: Lowry’s efficiency (67.2% comp.) vs. Owls’ 12 INTs; low TOs key. Edge: Even—Lowry 280+ yds projected.
Bonus Watch: Christian Moss (KENN WR, 68 yds high) targets WMU’s gaps.
Series History
First-ever meeting—no prior clashes (Kennesaw’s FBS youth vs. WMU’s MAC tenure). Neutral-site debut adds intrigue; avg. G5 vs. G5 bowl score 27.4-24.1. Trends: CUSA 3-7 vs. MAC in bowls (30%).Head-to-Head Meetings: N/A (0-0).
- Trend: N/A. Bowls: Kennesaw 0-0 (FBS debut); WMU 5-6 SU/ATS (45.5%).
Betting Trends
- Kennesaw State: 9-4 ATS (69.2%); 5-2 ATS as dog (71.4%). 6-7 O/U; overs in 4/6 road/neutral. 0-0 ATS in FBS bowls.
- Western Michigan: 9-3-1 ATS (75%); 6-2 ATS as fave (75%). 7-6 O/U; overs in 5/7 MAC games. 5-6 ATS in bowls.
- Head-to-Head: N/A (first meeting).
- Public/Sharp: 62% bets on WMU ML (65% handle); sharps on Kennesaw +3.5 (58% handle). Bowl overs hit 55% for MAC teams.
Historical Betting Results
Inaugural matchup, no direct history. CUSA vs. MAC bowls: MAC 12-8 ATS (60%), avg. total 55.2 (over 55%). Kennesaw N/A (FBS debut); WMU 5-6 ATS in bowls (45.5%). Last 10 neutral G5 vs. G5: 6-4 O/U (60% over).
Game Odds
Kennesaw State Owls 47.5
Western Michigan Broncos – 3
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, December 18, 2025
