Bahamas Bowl Betting: Eastern Michigan vs. Old Dominion Odds, Analysis and Pick

The Eastern Michigan Eagles are playing in a bowl for the first time in 30 seasons. The Old Dominion Monarchs are playing in their first bowl ever. So it's two squads with zero bowl experience meeting in the Bahamas Bowl on December 23 down in Nassau.

Bahamas Bowl point spread: The Monarchs opened as four-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark (line updates and matchup report).

College football pick, via OddsShark computer: 37-29.6 Monarchs (College football picks on every game)

Why the Eastern Michigan Eagles can cover the spread

After winning a total of seven games over its previous four seasons, EMU won seven games this season to make a bowl for the first time since 1987. The Eagles started 4-1 this season, and that included a victory over Mountain West divisional champion Wyoming.

Later, Eastern Michigan upset one Mid-American Conference divisional champ, Ohio, and gave the other, eventual conference champion Western Michigan, a good scare. A win at Ball State brought bowl eligibility, and the Eagles ended with an exciting 26-21 victory over rival Central Michigan.

Eastern Michigan outgained the Chippewas by 155 yards and outrushed them by 56 yards. On the season, the Eagles outgained seven of 12 opponents; they just happened to go 7-0 both straight up and against the spread in those seven games.

Why the Old Dominion Monarchs can cover the spread

In its third season of FBS ball, Old Dominion made its first bowl by winning nine games and tying for first place in the Conference USA East, although it lost the tiebreaker to Western Kentucky. The Monarchs started 1-2 this season, then won eight of their last nine games, including their last five in a row, finishing with a 42-28 victory over Florida International.

The Monarchs trailed the Golden Panthers 21-14 early in the third quarter, then used a 28-0 run to take control. On the day, Old Dominion outgained FIU by 251 yards and outrushed the Panthers 312-135. The Monarchs have outgained seven of their last nine opponents and outrushed six of their last nine foes.

ODU is also 8-0-1 ATS this season as a favorite at online sports betting sites.

Smart pick

These two teams met each of the previous two seasons; the Monarchs won both games, but the Eagles, as underdogs, covered both. As for this bowl matchup, Old Dominion holds edges in the running game and on defense, and Eastern Michigan could be without its leading rusher. The smart money here likes the Monarchs.

Betting trends

Old Dominion is 5-0 SU and 4-0-1 ATS in its last five games.

The total has gone over in Old Dominion's last four games against teams with winning records.

Eastern Michigan is 6-0 ATS in its last six games against teams with winning records.

All college football lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.