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2017 AutoNation Cure Bowl Odds And Prediction

By Mike Marteny

BOCA RATON, FL - DECEMBER 20: The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers mascot Big Red carries a flag during the game against the Memphis Tigers at FAU Stadium on December 20, 2016 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
BOCA RATON, FL - DECEMBER 20: The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers mascot Big Red carries a flag during the game against the Memphis Tigers at FAU Stadium on December 20, 2016 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – JUNE 04: Copa America banners are seenduring the 2016 Copa America Centenario Group A match between Costa Rica and Paraguay at Camping World Stadium on June 4, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/ Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

2017 AutoNation Cure Bowl Odds And Prediction

Bowl season is finally upon us! With the Army-Navy game last weekend, we didn’t even have to go a whole week without a game! Next up is the AutoNation Cure Bowl!

More from College Football Odds

The bowl season kicks off with six games tomorrow. It’s almost like a whole football Saturday! I will not make a pick for the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl. I wouldn’t be doing you any justice there. The only 1-AA teams I have watched are North Dakota State and Youngstown State. I wouldn’t be making an educated pick.

However, for the rest of the bowls, you will get my picks against the spread and point wagers just like I did all season long. I had a decent regular season, but I can make it look a whole lot better with a strong bowl season!

Just in case you missed any:
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

college football
MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 24: Mike White #14 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers throws the ball against the Florida International Golden Panthers on November 24, 2017 at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

Western Kentucky(-6.5) vs. Georgia State at Orlando, FL(3):

Western Kentucky 6-6, 4-4 (t3rd CUSA):

Wins: vs. Eastern Kentucky(31-17), vs. Ball State(33-21), at UTEP(15-14), vs. Charlotte(45-14), at Old Dominion(35-31), vs. Middle Tennessee State(41-38)

Losses: at Illinois(7-20), vs. Louisiana Tech(22-23), vs. Florida Atlantic(28-42), at Vanderbilt(17-31), at Marshall(23-30), at Florida International(17-41)

Record vs. bowl teams: 1-4

The Hilltoppers have a worse offense and worse defense than last year. That makes them a tricky team to pick. Honestly, WKU got as good of a draw as they can hope for. They were more susceptible to passing teams than running teams. The Panthers are almost as much of a running team as a service academy.

Georgia State 6-5, 5-3 (4th Sun Belt):

Wins: at Charlotte(28-0), at Coastal Carolina(27-21), at Louisiana-Monroe(47-37), vs. South Alabama(21-13), at Georgia Southern(21-17), at Texas State(33-30)

Losses: vs. Tennessee State(10-17), at Penn State(0-56), vs. Troy(10-34), vs. Appalachian State(10-31), vs. Idaho(10-24)

Record vs. bowl teams: 0-3

The Panthers got lucky a few times in the Sun Belt. Honestly, I think that UTSA is more deserving of this berth than the Panthers are. Georgia State’s defense is solid enough to make this interesting. They are good at winning ugly. Is Western Kentucky?

Prediction:

Both teams have real head scratching losses early in the season. Which is worse, WKU to Illinois or the Panthers to Tennessee State? That’s a tough one. This is going to be an ugly, ugly game. Most people will only watch it because it’s football. These teams are 1-7 vs. bowl teams combined. In a situation like this, you have to go with the best player on the field. That would be Western Kentucky quarterback Mike White.

Pick: Western Kentucky

Next: 2017 Capital One Bowl Mania Picks

Stay tuned for the rest of the bowl picks against the spread, and our DFS picks for the NBA, NFL, and even some NHL action! We have something for everyone