James Madison vs Western Kentucky Prediction 12-18-24 College Football Picks
WKU Hilltoppers (8-4) vs. James Madison Dukes (8-4)
December 18, 2024 5:30 pm EDT
The Line: James Madison Dukes -6.5 / WKU Hilltoppers +6.5; Over/Under: +53.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and James Madison Dukes meet Wednesday in the college football Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Stadium. Here’s a James Madison vs Western Kentucky Prediction. This article will include a James Madison vs Western Kentucky Pick.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Preview
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers lost to LA Tech and Liberty, and they split games against Jacksonville State. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have lost 4 of their last 7 non-home games. Caden Veltkamp is completing 66.6 percent of his passes for 2,806 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Kisean Johnson and Easton Messer have combined for 1,580 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, while Elijah Young has 43 receptions.
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers ground game is averaging 116.5 yards per contest, and Young leads the way with 846 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, Western Kentucky is allowing 24.5 points and 397.5 yards per game. Devonte’ Mathews leads the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers with 90 tackles, Darius Thomas has 4 sacks and Anthony Johnson Jr. has 2 interceptions.
James Madison Dukes Betting Preview
The James Madison Dukes beat Old Dominion, and they lost to App State and Marshall. The James Madison Dukes have split their last 6 non-home games. Alonza Barnett III is completing 60 percent of his passes for 2,598 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. Yamir Knight and Omarion Dollison have combined for 1,118 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, while Cam Ross has 37 receptions.
The James Madison Dukes ground game is averaging 190 yards per contest, and George Pettaway leads the way with 880 yards and 5 touchdowns. Defensively, James Madison is allowing 20.8 points and 323.2 yards per game. Jacob Dobbs leads the James Madison Dukes with 70 tackles, Eric O’Neill has 12 sacks and Terrence Spence has 5 interceptions.
Why the James Madison Dukes will win
- James Madison has won eight of its last nine games against non-conference opponents.
- Western Kentucky has lost three of its last four games.
- Western Kentucky has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games.
- James Madison has covered the spread in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
- James Madison has won the first half in seven of its last nine games against non-conference opponents.
- James Madison has won the first quarter in seven of its last nine games against non-conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Western Kentucky’s last seven December games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of James Madison’s last eight games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- James Madison ranks T4th among FBS teams for interceptions this season (17).
- James Madison ranks 5th among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (3.1).
- Western Kentucky ranks 130th among FBS teams for rushing yards allowed per game this season (221.9).
- Western Kentucky ranks 11th among FBS teams for passing yards allowed per game this season (175.5).
James Madison vs Western Kentucky Prediction
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have fallen off a cliff over the last month with losses in 3 of their last 4 games and the offense just hasn’t shown up. That’s not ideal when going up against one of the more balanced teams in the country in James Madison that also has a top-25 scoring offense. If WKU doesn’t get its act together, this game likely won’t be competitive. Western Kentucky has also failed to cover 5 of its last 6 games. I just don’t like what I’ve seen from the Hilltoppers lately. Give me James Madison in a double-digit victory.
