The 68 Ventures Bowl is set for a Dec. 23 kick at 7:00 p.m. ET during the 2023-24 College Football Bowl Season. The game – which has undergone multiple sponsor changes from GoDaddy to Dollar General and LendingTree – is held in Mobile, Alabama at Hancock Whitney Stadium; it’s one of 13 bowl games held in a stadium that primarily hosts an FBS team. This year, the South Alabama Jaguars (6-6) play as a home team against Eastern Michigan (6-6). Below, we’ll look at 68 Ventures Bowl odds and bowl history.
68 Ventures Bowl odds
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South Alabama Vs. Eastern Michigan
South Alabama already opened a steep -14 favorite – tied for the largest this Bowl Season – but that number climbed after opening. Eastern Michigan had a string of opt outs, including starting QB Austin Smith. Starting guard Zach Conti and a pair of defensive starters hit the portal. South Alabama is now the heaviest favorite in the field ().
The Jaguars will also be without some key players. Star receiver Caullin Lacy (1,300 yards) hit the portal and starting left tackle Jordan Davis missed Week 13. South Alabama fell short of expectations this season, following up a 10-win season. Among their six losses are Central Michigan and Texas State. The Jags roster has plenty of defensive talent, but that side of the ball faltered at times. They allowed 30+ points five times, topped off by 52 points to Texas State in Week 13.
1,000-yard rusher La’Damian Webb declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 8. The announcement was unclear if he plays or not.
Despite the shortcomings, they enter the bowl game a more intact team than EMU. Eagles expected starting QB Ike Udengwu presents much more of a rushing threat than a passing one and has some experience this year.
As a bonus, South Alabama plays in their own stadium. Notably, EMU is the lowest-rated team in bowl season, per TheLines’ aggregate power ratings.
South Alabama Team Notes
- Hancock-Whitney Stadium is South Alabama’s home venue.
- Star QB Caullin Lacy entered the transfer portal and will not play in this game. Lacy had over 1,300 receiving yards in 2023.
- 1,000-yard rusher La’Damian Webb declared for the NFL Draft.
- Starting left tackle Jordan Davis did not play in Week 13.
Eastern Michigan Team Notes
- Starting QB Austin Smith, guard Zack Conti, and EDGE Mikah Coleman entered the transfer portal.
- Two defensive starters and guard Zach Conti hit the portal.
68 Ventures Bowl Betting Picks: EMU Vs. USA
68 Ventures Bowl betting
Southern Miss (-6.5) beat Rice in last year’s bowl game, then named the LendingTree Bowl. Frank Gore Jr. ran for a bowl-record 329 yards and two touchdowns in the 38-24 victory. The 62 combined points went over the game’s 45.5-point total. In 2021, Liberty covered as an 8.5-point favorite and nearly covered the 58.5-point total on their own.
In 2020, Georgia State covered a three-point spread, beating Western Kentucky 39-21. But before then, underdogs had covered in five straight games and in eight of the last ten – including five outright upsets. The run was needed, as underdogs failed to cover in nine straight years from 2001-09. Overall, favorites are 13-10-1 in the 68 Ventures Bowl.
Overs are 13-11 in the history of the bowl game, including 3-0 in each of the last three outings.
History
Below are historical results of the 68 Ventures Bowl.
The first 68 Ventures Bowl was played in 1999 – at the time called the Mobile Alabama Bowl – where TCU beat East Carolina 28-14.
| Date | Bowl name | Winner | Score | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 23, 2023 | 68 Ventures Bowl | South Alabama | 59 | Eastern Michigan | 10 |
| December 17, 2022 | LendingTree Bowl | Southern Miss | 38 | Rice | 24 |
| December 18, 2021 | LendingTree Bowl | Liberty | 56 | Eastern Michigan | 20 |
| December 26, 2020 | LendingTree Bowl | Georgia State | 39 | Western Kentucky | 21 |
| January 6, 2020 | LendingTree Bowl | Louisiana | 27 | Miami (Ohio) | 17 |
| December 22, 2018 | Dollar General Bowl | Troy | 42 | Buffalo | 32 |
| December 23, 2017 | Dollar General Bowl | Appalachian State | 34 | Toledo | 0 |
| December 23, 2016 | Dollar General Bowl | Troy | 28 | Ohio | 23 |
| December 23, 2015 | GoDaddy Bowl | Georgia Southern | 58 | Bowling Green | 27 |
| January 4, 2015 | GoDaddy Bowl | Toledo | 63 | Arkansas State | 44 |
| January 5, 2014 | GoDaddy Bowl | Arkansas State | 23 | Ball State | 20 |
| January 6, 2013 | GoDaddy.com Bowl | Arkansas State | 17 | Kent State | 13 |
| January 8, 2012 | GoDaddy.com Bowl | Northern Illinois | 38 | Arkansas State | 20 |
| January 6, 2011 | GoDaddy.com Bowl | Miami (Ohio) | 35 | Middle Tennessee | 21 |
| January 6, 2010 | GMAC Bowl | Central Michigan | 44 | Troy | 41 (2OT) |
| January 6, 2009 | GMAC Bowl | Tulsa | 45 | Ball State | 13 |
| January 6, 2008 | GMAC Bowl | Tulsa | 63 | Bowling Green | 7 |
| January 7, 2007 | GMAC Bowl | Southern Miss | 28 | Ohio | 7 |
| December 21, 2005 | GMAC Bowl | Toledo | 45 | UTEP | 13 |
| December 22, 2004 | GMAC Bowl | Bowling Green | 52 | Memphis | 35 |
| December 18, 2003 | GMAC Bowl | Miami (Ohio) | 49 | Louisville | 28 |
| December 18, 2002 | GMAC Bowl | Marshall | 38 | Louisville | 15 |
| December 19, 2001 | GMAC Bowl | Marshall | 64 | East Carolina | 61 (2OT) |
| December 20, 2000 | Mobile Alabama Bowl | Southern Miss | 28 | TCU | 21 |
| December 22, 1999 | Mobile Alabama Bowl | TCU | 28 | East Carolina | 14 |
FAQ
When is the 2023 68 Ventures Bowl?
The 2023 68 Ventures Bowl will be played on Dec. 23 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Where is the 68 Ventures Bowl?
The 68 Ventures Bowl is played at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. The bowl moved there when the stadium opened in 2020 and was previously played at Ladd-Peebles Stadium also in Mobile.
Who is playing in the 2023 68 Ventures Bowl?
South Alabama plays in their home stadium against Eastern Michigan in the 68 Ventures Bowl.