Western Michigan vs South Alabama Prediction 12-14-24 College Football Picks

In this article we will formulate a Western Michigan vs South Alabama prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, December 14th at the Crampton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. Let’s take a look at the prediction for the Veterans Bowl. 

Western Michigan Broncos Betting Preview

The Western Michigan Broncos are 6-6 (5-3) this season and they finished fifth in the MAC standings. Western Michigan ended the season by defeating Eastern Michigan by a score of 26-18 to gain bowl eligibility, but they also have wins over Kent State, Buffalo, Akron, Ball State, and Bethune-Cookman. The Broncos did lose three of their last four games to end the regular season, with losses to Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, and Central Michigan. 

The Western Michigan offense has scored 29.4 points per game with 186.3 passing yards and 188.2 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 31.4 points against per game this season. Hayden Wolff has completed 67% of his passes for 2,214 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while Jaden Nixon has rushed for 874 yards and 12 scores this year. Western Michigan has scored at least 26 points in six of their last eight games, so the offense is feeling good coming into this matchup. 

South Alabama Jaguars Betting Preview

The South Alabama Jaguars are 6-6 (5-3) this year and they finished tied for second in the Sun Belt West standings with Texas State and Arkansas State. The Jaguars closed the season by losing to Texas State by a score of 45-38 in their last game. South Alabama does have wins over Southern Miss, Troy, ULM, Louisiana, Appalachian State, and Northwestern State, while picking up losses against North Texas, Ohio, LSU, Arkansas State, Georgia Southern, and Texas State. South Alabama finished the regular season by winning four of their last six games, including a huge win over Louisiana, which was their only conference loss of the regular season. 

The South Alabama offense has scored 35.3 points per game with 241.2 passing yards and 193.3 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 25.3 points against per game this season. Gio Lopez is the starting quarterback for South Alabama, but he was injured at the end of the regular season and his status is in the air for this game. Lopez completed 66% of his passes for 2,559 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while Jamaal Pritchett caught 91 passes for 1,127 yards and nine scores this year. The Jaguars scored at least 24 points in six straight games to end the season, so each offense is rolling coming into this matchup. 

Western Michigan vs South Alabama Prediction 

South Alabama comes into this matchup as a decent sized favorite, but their starting quarterback is questionable for this game. The Western Michigan defense is below average, but if the Jaguars don’t have Lopez, I am concerned about their offense. On the other side, the WMU offensive attack has been very solid this season and Wolff has been very good under center. I think this is too many points, even if Lopez plays, to give a Western Michigan team that can really move the ball. Take the Broncos and the points here.