Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State Prediction College Football Picks 12/6/24

In this article, we will formulate a Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State prediction for this College Football game on Friday, December 6th at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama. Let’s take a look at the prediction for the Conference USA Championship game. 

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Preview

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are 8-4 (6-2) this year after defeating Jacksonville State by a score of 19-17 in their last game. Western Kentucky was tied at 10 at the half but kicked three field goals in the second half for the win. The Hilltoppers recorded 426 yards, one turnover, and went 7-20 on third down in the game. Caden Veltkamp threw for 301 yards and one touchdown, while Elijah Young rushed for 91 yards on 19 carries. 

Prior to that win, the Hilltoppers lost to Liberty by a score of 38-21 and Louisiana Tech by a score of 12-7. The Western Kentucky offense has scored 27.2 points per game with 271.8 passing yards and 118.8 rushing yards per game, while their defense has allowed 22.2 points per game this season. Caden Veltkamp has completed 67.2% of his passes for 2,665 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while Kisean Johnson has caught 65 passes for 830 yards and six scores. 

Jacksonville State Gamecocks Betting Preview

The Jacksonville State Gamecocks are 8-4 (7-1) this season after they lost to Western Kentucky by a score of 19-17 last week. Jacksonville State led 10-7 in the second quarter, but they could only manage one score in the second half in the loss. The Gamecocks recorded 328 yards, one turnover, and went 2-13 on third down in the game. Logan Smothers threw for 62 yards, while Tyler Huff rushed for 97 yards on 13 carries. 

Prior to that loss, the Gamecocks won eight straight games, with six of them coming by double digits. The Jacksonville State offense has scored 35.4 points per game with 177.2 passing yards and 257.4 rushing yards per game, while their defense has allowed 27 points per game this season. Tyler Huff has completed 59.8% of his passes for 2,003 yards, 11 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while Tre Stewart has rushed for 1,403 yards and 20 scores this year. 

Why Jacksonville State will beat Western Kentucky

• Jacksonville State has won each of its last six games against conference opponents at AmFirst Stadium.
• Jacksonville State has covered the spread in five of its last six games against conference opponents at AmFirst Stadium.
• Western Kentucky has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games against conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Western Kentucky’s last six games in December has gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Jacksonville State ranks 122nd among FBS teams for time of possession per game this season (27:11).
• Jacksonville State ranks T16th among FBS teams for Q2 points per game this season (11.7).
• Western Kentucky ranks 14th among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (73.5).
• Western Kentucky ranks T19th among FBS teams for average point differential in first quarters this season (+3.8).

Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State Prediction 

These two teams just met last week to end the regular season, with Western Kentucky coming away with a 19-17 win, but now Jacksonville State will be at home. The Gamecocks finished first in the C-USA standings and they have one of the best rushing attacks in the country. Western Kentucky has lost two of their last three games, but they have a very good passing attack. I don’t love when teams play back-to-back like this, but I have to give the edge to Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks were pretty dominant this year and I just don’t see their ground game getting stopped two games in a row. Take Jacksonville State to cover at home.