Western Kentucky vs James Madison Prediction College Football Picks 12/18/24

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Western Kentucky

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving James Madison

-Recent betting trends in games played between Western Kentucky and James Madison. 

-A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between the Hilltoppers and Dukes. 

Can Western Kentucky Bounce Back?

Two games ago Western Kentucky faced off Jacksonville State and they were able to secure the 19-17 victory. In the last game they also faced off against Jacksonville State and they ended up losing 52-12. Caden Veltkamp was under center and he completed 18 of his 30 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown. 

Even though the passing game wasn’t great, Elijah Young finished with 19 carries for 108 yards and they are going to need the running game to be strong again here. Western Kentucky on the season is averaging 25.5 points while their defense is giving up 24.4 points per game. At times the offense has been a bit inconsistent and they are going to need the more balanced attack here. Veltkamp is going to be taking official visits after this game to other schools, but he’s expected to play in this game, and they are going to need him to be good here. 

Why Western Kentucky Will Beat James Madison

• Western Kentucky has won four of its last five games at neutral venues.
• Western Kentucky has covered the spread in four of its last five games against opponents from the Sun Belt Conference.

James Madison Struggled

To end the season James Madison really struggled and they come into this game having lost two games in a row. In he last game against Marshall they were able ot get to overtime, but they ended up losing 35-33. At halftime they were up 17-0 but in the second half they blew it, and that led to the loss. Alonza Barnett III was under center for James Madison and he completed 14 of his 19 passes for 138 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Jobadiah Malary had a strong game finishing with 16 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown. The big issue for James madison heading into this game is that Barnett is going to miss this game because of injury. Billy Atkins is going to get the start in this game. James Madison is averaging 33.8 points while their defense is giving up 20.8 points per game. 

Western Kentucky vs James Madison Prediction

We are supposed to lay points here when James Madison isn’t going to have their starting quarterback? Yeah, I am not interested in doing that in this game. The Dukes offense is going to really struggle to get the offense moving the ball  and that is going to be the difference here. Veltkamp is going to finish off the season with a strong game, and that he’s going to help lead Western Kentucky to another win. Back Western Kentucky against the spread.