The Florida International Golden Panthers will look to pull off the upset over the Toledo Rockets when the two teams square off in the 2018 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl on Friday, December 21st. Now, let’s find out who’s going to get the ATS cover when this game goes down live from Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau.

FIU vs Toledo 2018 Bahamas Bowl Spread & Prediction

PASSPORTS STAMPED: It will be @FIUFootball vs, @ToledoFB in the 2018 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl on Friday, Dec. 21 at 12:30 pm ET in Nassau’s Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. #BowlGamesAreBetterInTheBahamas pic.twitter.com/UFtvztYpFa

— Bahamas Bowl (@TheBahamasBowl) November 26, 2018

• When: Friday, December 21, 2018 at 12:30 PM ET
• Where: Thomas Robinson Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas
• TV: ESPN
• Radio: Toledo
• Live Stream: WatchESPN
• 2018 Bahamas Bowl Odds: Toledo  -6 / Total: 68.5

Weather Forecast

• Chance of Rain: 26^°C/79^°F
• Humidity: 68%
• Precipitation: 51%
• Wind: 24 mph SW
• Cloud Cover: 69%
• Type of Stadium: N/A

Why Bet on Florida International at +6?

Why should you consider betting on the Golden Panthers in this contest? Well, first of all, FIU has the better defense in this matchup. In addition to that, the Golden Panthers have plenty of motivation after losing their C-USA Championship game regular season finale against Marshall 28-25 on Nov. 24.

Florida International also has the motivation of trying to get their first Bowl victory since 2010 when they beat…ironically… Toledo in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. The Golden Panthers average 34.6 points per game (30th) while allowing 24.7 points per contest defensively (46th).

Team Statistics

Offense:

• Average Score For: 34.58
• Total Yards: 417.58
• Pass Yards: 247.58
• Rush Yards: 170

Defense:

• Average Score Against: 24.67
• Total Yards: 386.67
• Pass Yards: 188.25
• Rush Yards: 198.42

Why Bet on Toledo at -6?

Why should you consider betting on the Rockets in this contest? The first and best reason is because Toledo has an elite offense. Another good reason is because the Rockets enter this bowl game playing solid football in winning two straight and four of their last five games overall, including their statement-making 51-13 smackdown of Central Michigan on Nov. 23 as a 19-point favorite.

Toledo also has some added motivation of trying to win their first bowl game since 2015 after losing both of their last two bowl games against Appalachian State in 2016 and 2017. Toledo averages a stellar 41.1 points per game (11th) while allowing 30.2 points per contest defensively (84th).

Team Statistics

Offense:

• Average Score For: 41.08
• Total Yards: 448.50
• Pass Yards: 224.92
• Rush Yards: 223.58

Defense:

• Average Score Against: 30.17
• Total Yards: 430.92
• Pass Yards: 257.50
• Rush Yards: 173.42

FIU vs Toledo 2018 Bahamas Bowl Betting Trends

Expert Analysis and Prediction for FIU vs Toledo

The Rockets have topped the 50-point plateau in each of their last two games while scoring 45 or more in four of their last five games overall and that kind of offensive output will be too much for Florida International to handle – or keep up with. The Golden Panthers are an uninspiring 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games in December, a winless 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games and equally discouraging 0-4-1 ATS in their last five games against teams from the MAC.

On the flip side of the coin, Toledo has gone 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game, 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Friday games and an identical 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. 51 percent of public bettors like Florida International to cover the chalk, but I don’t. I’m going with Toledo and their well-balanced offense to get it done by a touchdown in a high-scoring affair.

2018 Bahamas Bowl Pick: Toledo 38 FIU 31