James Madison, Air Force Rely On Stars in Armed Forces Bowl Props
The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl will feature teams with players that offer exciting prop bets. No.24 James Madison (11-1) will face Air Force (8-4), with both programs looking to end the 2023 season on the right foot, reflected in a tight spread in college football odds.
The spread is favors the Dukes by two points over the Falcons. On top of that, college football lines see this game potentially being low-scoring, with the over/under only set at 41 points.
One of the biggest points to worry about with James Madison is the coaching staff and roster turnover. After two successful seasons in FBS, head coach Curt Cignetti has moved on to a Big Ten school, joining Indiana.
With Cignetti’s departure, some players have elected to leave James Madison through the transfer portal or sit out of this bowl game. Most notably, quarterback Jordan McCloud, the Sun Belt’s Player of the Year, is in the transfer portal but is expected to play.
Air Force Needs To Run the Ball
This season has been especially complicated for Air Force in college football picks, starting so well but falling apart in the final weeks. The Falcons opened with eight straight wins, extending a streak that began in 2022 to 13.
However, after a 23-3 loss to Army in Week 9, the season was sent off the rails. Air Force suffered four straight losses against Army, Hawai’i, UNLV, and Boise State.
Air Force still ended the season, averaging the second-most rushing yards per game at 275.8. If the Falcons are going to keep this game close and possibly win, they will have to do so behind the running game.
That makes this prop bet for Zachar Larrier to rush for over 48 yards essential. He averages 57.9 rushing yards per game, so hitting the over is possible. The number is -114.
What could make this problematic is James Madison’s run defense. The Dukes are allowing 61.5 rushing yards per game, lowest in the nation. However, Mikail Kamara, who had 19.5 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks, will not be playing, having transferred to Indiana.
NCAAF Pick: Larrier over 48 yards (-114)
James Madison Needs Big Game from McCloud
This has been a special season for James Madison team, which has the best record in the Sun Belt despite not having a chance to compete in the Championship Game because of NCAA rules. Still, with all that, the Duke’s have made a bowl game, with a chance to win their first, being favored in college football spreads.
Highest graded Quarterbacks in the transfer portal🎯 pic.twitter.com/RLvh5LZhr5
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 14, 2023
To pull that off, James Madison will need a big game from their star quarterback, McCloud. He won the Sun Belt Player of the Year award, passing for 3,400 yards with 32 touchdowns to 9 interceptions while adding eight more rushing scores. It was a big season for the quarterback, who is looking to transfer to a top school.
While McCloud’s future might be elsewhere, interim head coach Damian Wroblewski hopes he can be focused enough on the present to get James Madison its first bowl game win. A big performance in a bowl game could boost McCloud’s value in the transfer portal, making the over on 231.5 passing yards very enticing for college football betting.
Air Force has had a strong defense this season, allowing 181 passing yards per game, but given its recent struggles in the last four games, McCloud should find success.
NCAAF Pick: McCloud over 232 yards (-113)
