Western Kentucky vs. Old Dominion Monday Famous Toastery Bowl odds: Spread rising with star Hilltoppers QB Austin Reed reportedly out

For the first time this college football postseason, we have a weekday matinee bowl game as Western Kentucky of Conference USA takes on Old Dominion of the Sun Belt Conference in the Famous Toastery Bowl. The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. ET kickoff in Charlotte. WKU opened as a 4.5-point favorite a few weeks ago but is now a 6.5-point underdog because star QB Austin Reed is among several key Hilltoppers reportedly out. The total was as high as 57.5 and is now 51.5. Click here for model picks.

It was reported over the weekend that Reed would sit out to concentrate on preparing for the NFL Draft, but the school hasn't confirmed that. He'll likely be drafted in the later rounds. Reed threw for 3,340 yards and 31 touchdowns on 289-of-470 passing with 11 interceptions in his second season as WKU's starting quarterback. He ranks first in C-USA in passing yards per game (278.3), total passing yards (3,340), completions (289), and passing touchdowns (31), and is third in total offense (286.7) and second total offensive touchdowns (35).

With backup Caden Veltkamp in the portal, redshirt freshman Turner Helton would likely get the start. He attempted eight passes this season and completed all of them for 82 yards with a TD and sack taken.

Again, this is all potentially subject to change. But even though Reed is sitting out, top wideout and first-team All-Conference USA pick Malachi Corley is expected to play. He has 958 yards and 11 touchdowns on 75 receptions – an average of 87.1 yards receiving per game.  He was fifth in the league in scoring (6.18 points/game), second in scoring from non-kickers (6.18 points/game), second in receptions per game (6.82), second in receiving yards per game, ninth in all-purpose yards (88.09), third in receptions and fourth in receiving yards.

However, three WKU starting offensive lineman and at least three starting defensive players are also in the portal. That doesn't mean none of them will play, as it's generally on an individual basis unless they already have landed at a new school.

Old Dominion All-American linebacker Jason Henderson will miss the game with an injury. He led the nation in tackles with 170. The Monarchs also have 13 players in the portal led by receiver Javon Harvey, who led the team in touchdown receptions (four) and has already committed to Texas A&M, and defensive back Terry Jones (100 tackles). QB Grant Wilson and the team's top two rushers, Kadarius Calloway (594 yards) and Keshawn Wicks (550 yards), are expected to play Monday.

ODU (6-6) had to win its regular-season finale to get bowl eligible and rallied from a 21-0 third-quarter hole to beat Georgia State 25-24 on walk-off TD run by Wilson. All eight of ODU's conference games were decided by one score and 10 of their 12 outings were one-score games. Old Dominion is the first FBS team to play 10 one-score games in a 12-game season this century.

It's only the third bowl game in school history and the first since 2019. The Monarchs' lone bowl win was in 2016. WKU is 6-3 all-time in bowls and playing in its fifth in row. These schools used to be C-USA rivals with WKU leading the series 6-1.

This game is in Charlotte this year only -- at UNC Charlotte's on-campus stadium -- and goes back to the Bahamas as the Bahamas Bowl in 2024. It couldn't be played there this year due to stadium renovations at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau.

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