College football bowl season heads to Mobile, Alabama, for the 68 Venture Bowl and a matchup between the Arkansas State Red Wolves and the Bowling Green Falcons.
The Red Wolves have secured consecutive bowl appearances following a a 7-5 record in 2024. As a result, head coach Butch Jones has received a contract extension that will keep him with the team until 2029. Leading the offense for the Red Wolves is sophomore quarterback Jaylen Raynor, who threw for 2,562 yards and 14 touchdowns, while completing 61.5% of his passes.
Bowling Green is headed to its third consecutive bowl game, finishing the regular season with an identical 7-5 record. Their success can be attributed to a tough defense that has served as the backbone of the team. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has emerged as one of the Falcons‘ top players, recording 100 receptions for 1,342 yards and nine touchdowns.
Here is everything to know about the 68 Venture Bowl ahead of kickoff:
IVY LEAGUE:Will play in college football FCS playoffs starting in 2025
68 Ventures Bowl predictions: Arkansas State vs. Bowling Green
USA TODAY: Bowling Green is the unanimous pick
- Scooby Axson: Bowling Green
- Jordan Mendoza: Bowling Green
- Paul Myerberg: Bowling Green
- Erick Smith: Bowling Green
- Eddie Timanus: Bowling Green
- Dan Wolken: Bowling Green
ESPN: Bowling Green 27, Arkansas State 23
Adam Rittenberg writes: “Coach Scot Loeffler has Bowling Green in its third consecutive bowl game while he is seeking his first postseason victory, and the school’s first since 2014 (Camellia). The Falcons are led by a defense that ranks 24th nationally in fewest points allowed (20.3 PPG), and Harold Fannin Jr., who, with 1,342 receiving yards, is approaching Jace Amaro’s FBS single-season record for a tight end. Arkansas State won four of its final six games and will challenge Bowling Green with Corey Rucker, the team’s all-time receiving yards leader. But Bowling Green’s defense and Fannin should be enough in this one.”
Athlon Sports: Bowling Green 34, Arkansas State 23
Kyle Wood writes: “Arkansas State will be hard-pressed to slow down Fannin. His connection with Bazelak will keep BGSU drives alive against a defense that can be beaten through the air. And the Falcons’ defense is well suited to slow down Raynor. That’s a recipe for Bowling Green to end its three-game losing streak in bowl games and pick up its first postseason win since 2014.”
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68 Ventures Bowl odds, lines: Arkansas State vs. Bowling Green
The Bowling Green Falcons are favorites to defeat the Arkansas State, according to the BetMGM college football odds.
Odds as of evening of Wednesday, Dec. 25.
- Spread: Bowling Green (-8.5)
- Moneylines: Bowling Green (-300); Arkansas State (+250)
- Over/under: 53.5
How to watch Arkansas State vs. Bowling Green in the 68 Ventures Bowl
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 26
- Time: 9 p.m. ET (8 p.m. CT)
- TV: ESPN
- Stream: Fubo
- Where: Hancock Whitney Stadium (Mobile, Alabama)
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