If the New York Yankees can host a successful college football bowl game, the Boston Red Sox figured that they could too. So, on December 29, 2021, the Inaugural Fenway Bowl will be held. Virginia and SMU are the betting on College Football matchup at famous Fenway Park. And incredibly enough, Fenway Park, famed home of the Green Monster and the Boston Red Sox, has a rich football history. From 1963 through 1968, the Boston Patriots played their games at Fenway Park. In those days, the Patriots were members of the American Football League.
2021 Wasabi Fenway Bowl Virginia Cavaliers vs. SMU Mustangs
| Date and Time: | Wednesday, December 29, 2021, 11 a.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Virginia vs. SMU TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | -2½ (-115) | 71½ (-110) | -140 |  |
| SMU | +2½ (-105) | 71½ (-110) | +120 | |
| ||||
2021 Wasabi Fenway Bowl SBG Odds Overview
Specifically, the Fenway Bowl has tie-ins to the American Athletic Conference and the ACC. This offshore betting bowl was supposed to be launched in 2020. However, the pandemic forced the game’s cancelation.
Virginia Cavaliers Team Overview
Last time out, Virginia lost to Virginia Tech 29-24 as 7-point home favorites in their regular season finale. The game stayed under the total of 64. Virginia is 6-6 straight up, 6-6 against the spread, and 4-8 over/under. Overall, the Cavaliers have NCAAF metrics of 3rd for total offense and 23rd for scoring offense. On defense, the Cavaliers have CFB rankings of 121st overall and 103rd for points allowed.
At the beginning, coach Bronco Mendenhall took over a bad Virginia program in 2016. To show UVA was coming off four consecutive losing seasons. Following a bad first year of 2-10, Mendenhall began a remarkable turnaround. Virginia produced five straight bowl-eligible seasons and a division title. However, in 2021, the UVA defense was helpless, failing to take advantage of one of the most prolific offenses in the country. Mendenhall announced his retirement after the loss to Virginia Tech.
SMU Mustangs Team Overview
In the regular season finale, SMU was upset by Tulsa 34-31 as 6.5-point home favorites. Also, the game went over the total of 63. SMU stands at 8-4 straight up, 6-6 against the spread, and 6-6 over/under. NCAAF metrics show that the Mustangs rank 13th for total offense and 10th for scoring. While on defense, SMU ranks 93rd overall and 85th for points allowed.
So too, is SMU going through a head coaching change. Sonny Dykes left for the other side of town at TCU. Thus, he will be replaced by Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. Lashlee was an assistant at SMU from 2018 through 2019.
2021 Wasabi Fenway Bowl Betting Trends
- SMU did not cover the spread in four of their last five games
- The Mustangs are 4-2 over the total in their most recent six games
- Virginia has 12 wins vs. the line in their previous 18 games
- The Cavaliers are 4-9 to the under in their most recent 13 outings
- Virginia is 6-2 to the over vs. AAC teams
- As a favorite, Virginia is 15-4 straight up
2021 Wasabi Fenway Bowl SBG Free Picks
There will be an emotional betting on College Football angle to the Fenway Bowl for Virginia. Bronco Mendenhall is coaching his final game. He will be leaving with respect and a solid record. Most important of all, his players play hard for him.
Fenway Bowl SBG Best Bet: Virginia Cavaliers.