How to watch and what to watch in the Boca Raton Bowl between SMU and Florida Atlantic

It’s an early bowl season game featuring a pair of 10-win teams in the Boca Raton Bowl between the SMU Mustangs and Florida Atlantic Owls on Saturday, Dec. 21.

Lane Kiffin is gone after three years at FAU as he returns to the SEC with Ole Miss, leaving the Owls with a Conference USA title. Defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer is the interim head coach with Willie Taggart set to step in.

For SMU, the Mustangs advanced to their second bowl game in the past three years, and they’ll hope for a better result after a 51-10 loss in the Frisco Bowl to Louisiana Tech in 2017.

Game Time/TV Channel/Streaming

The Boca Raton Bowl will begin at 3:30 p.m. ET in Boca Raton, Florida on Saturday, Dec. 21 and can be seen on ABC and WatchESPN.

Point Spread, Totals, Odds, Trends

Spread: SMU (-3.5) vs. FAU
Point Total: 70 O/U (-110)
Money line: SMU (-162), FAU (+133)

- The total has gone over in nine of SMU’s 12 games played this season.

- FAU is 6-1 against the spread in its last seven games.

The Best Bet

I am always hesitant to bet the team that is playing in a bowl game without its head coach, and I’m always hesitant to bet on the road team as a favorite. This is being played in FAU’s stadium. Rather than pick a team, I’m going to jump on the over. Both teams have incredible offenses with defense that can be scored on. Even with a high number of 70, watch those points pour in.

Pick: Over 70

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Odds and lines subject to change. See website for details.