Independence Bowl Betting History

To cap the nationwide bicentennial celebrations in 1976, Americans were treated to a fitting upset in the inaugural Independence Bowl, as an injury-ravaged McNeese State squad scored late to tip Tulsa in a 20-16 thriller.

The game has been played at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, every year since, but it became a regional attraction in 1995 by affiliating with the Southeast Conference. That year, home state Louisiana State University dismantled Michigan State in a 45-26 rout, easily covering a 6-point spread in front of 48,835 fans – the largest Independence Bowl crowd to date at the time.

Between 1998 and 2009, the SEC played a Big 12 team, leading to several memorable showdowns. In 2000, when a freak storm created blizzard conditions, Mississippi State outlasted Texas A&M as a 1-point underdog in a 43-41 shootout known as the “Snow Bowl.” And in 2007, in a sign of things to come, new head coach Nick Saban led Alabama to a 30-24 win over Colorado to cover as a 4.5-point favorite.

That game started a streak of five straight covers for favorites, but over the next five-year period (2012-2016), two underdogs managed to win outright. Ohio (+6.5) walloped Louisiana-Monroe 45-14 in 2012, and South Carolina (+3) nipped Miami 24-21 in 2014. Dogs also cashed in on Tulsa (+13.5) in 2015 – when the Golden Hurricane nearly outgunned Virginia Tech in a 55-52 track meet.

The Temple Owls will square off with the Duke Blue Devils in this year’s Independence Bowl. For the latest odds, a free pick and handicapping information, visit our Independence Bowl Game Center.