Betsided

Eastern Michigan vs. Liberty Prediction and Odds for Lending Tree Bowl

By Matt De Saro

The Liberty Flames have one of the most explosive quarterbacks in college football but could be let down by their defense yet again.
The Liberty Flames have one of the most explosive quarterbacks in college football but could be let down by their defense yet again. / Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

The NCAA College Bowl season is finally upon us! This weekend we have some early action when the Eastern Michigan Eagles and the Liberty Flames head to Hancock Whitney Stadium for the Lending Tree Bowl. 

The Eagles are led by quarterback Ben Bryant with 2,921 yards and 11 touchdowns with 6 picks. Bryant is backed up by RB Jason Hamiton who has 633 yards and four touchdowns on the year.  

The Flames, meanwhile, are led by QB Malik Willis who has posted a 2,626-yard season with 24 touchdowns compared with 12 interceptions. Willis also leads the team on the ground with 189 carries for an additional 820 yards. 

Both of these teams are coming off losses in their last games of the season and are looking to bounce back in this pre-Christmas bowl game. Here are the odds for the 2021 Lending Bowl, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Eastern Michigan vs. Liberty Spread and Over/Under

Spread:

  • Eastern Michigan +9.5 (-110) 
  • Liberty -9.5  (-110) 

Moneyline:

  • Eastern Michigan +265
  • Liberty -350

Total:

  • 58.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Eastern Michigan vs. Liberty Betting Trends

  • The Eagles are 5-7 ATS in their last 12 games. 
  •  The Eagles are 3-1 ATS in their last four games coming off a loss. 
  • The Eagles are 3-3 in their last six games as an underdog. 
  • The Flames are 6-6 ATS in their last 12 games. 
  • The Flames are 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games a betting favorite. 
  • The Flames are 1-3 ATS in their last four games coming off a loss. 

Eastern Michigan vs. Liberty Prediction and Pick

This is an interesting game featuring two teams who struggled to perform down the home stretch. EMU lost its last three games of the season as their defense collapsed in the final month and allowed 32.8 PPG in their last three games. The same fate befell the Flames after losing their last three games by a combined 56 points. 

The blame for these losses falls mostly on the defense, especially in the case of Liberty. The Flames’ dual-threat QB did all he could this year to keep them in the win column. It is possible that Willis misses this game as he preps for the NFL Drat but as of now, he is expected to play.  If he does miss this game, it would change everything as the Flames' entire offense revolved around him specifically. 

Even if he does suit up, which I do expect, I don’t think the odds properly reflect this matchup. The Flames are slightly better on defense but the Eagles are a dangerous team on offense in their own right. The Eagles can put up points on just about anyone and the Flames’ defense looked worse and worse each of the last four weeks of the year. 

I think the Flames ultimately come out on top but the Eagles cover the spread in the Lending Tree Bowl. 

Pick: Eastern Michigan Eagles +9.5 (-110)

Home/NCAAF Odds