Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs James Madison Dukes Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 12/18/2024

Game Time: 5:30 pm ET, Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Venue:  FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL 

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  WKU +8.5, JMU -8.5; Over/Under:  52.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  WKU +8.5, JMU -8.5; Over/Under:  52.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  WKU +8.5, JMU -8.5; Over/Under:  52.5 points

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers:  8-5 (6-2) (3rd place, Conference USA)

James Madison Dukes:  8-4 (4-4) (3rd place, Sun Belt East)

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Western Kentucky Hilltoppers:  lost their last game on the road against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 52-12.

James Madison Dukes:  lost their last game at home against the Marshall Thundering Herd 35-33 in overtime. 

Western Kentucky is entering this game with an 8-5 record overall and they have a 6-2 record in their conference games too. They are 5-1 in their home games, 3-4 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at a neutral site for this game. They lost their last game against Jacksonville State 52-12. Caden Veltkamp was the starting QB and he completed 18/30 passes for 141 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. Elijah Young led the team in rushing yards with 108. Easton Messer led the receivers with 83 receiving yards on 7 receptions. Keyshawn Swanson led the defense in that game with 9 solo tackles and 5 assisted tackles while no one on the defense recorded a sack for them. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.

 

 

 

James Madison is entering this game with an 8-4 record overall and they have a 4-4 record in their conference games too. They are 5-1 in their home games, 3-3 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at a neutral site for this game. They lost their last game against Marshall 35-33 in OT. Alonza Barnett III was the starting QB and he completed 14/19 passes for 138 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Jobadiah Malary led the team in rushing yards with 106 and 1 TD. Omarion Dollison led the receivers with 46 receiving yards on 4 receptions and 1 TD. Khairi Manns led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 4 assisted tackles while Eric O'Neill led the defense in sacks with 2.5. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.

The current betting odds have Western Kentucky listed as an 8.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Western Kentucky has looked good in their games this season with their 8-5 record overall and their 6-2 conference record which has them near the top of the Conference USA and got them to the C-USA Championship too. They lost to Jacksonville State in a blowout, but this is a good opportunity for them to bounce back and finish off a good season with a positive. Meanwhile, James Madison has looked good in their games this season with their 8-4 record overall, but their 4-4 conference record has them in the middle of the Sun Belt. They looked great on their home field this season, but they were only 3-3 in their road games and won't have that same home advantage that has helped them all season. They ended their regular season with a tough loss to Marshall in OT and they haven't looked great over the last few weeks. A lot of their big wins were also at home, struggling to pull away in their road games. The Boca Raton Bowl is at a neutral site and James Madison is looking to win their first bowl game since joining the FBS level, but they have struggled a lot more in this first season with their new head coach and their defense hasn't looked great either. Western Kentucky looked terrible in their last game but they have an offense that can definitely put up points and they will be looking to end the season the right way with a win. The best way to place a bet here is on Western Kentucky to cover the spread in this game. 

Western Kentucky James Madison Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Wednesday, December 18, 2024 (5:30 pm ET start time) is JMU 38 WKU 35.

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Western Kentucky Hilltoppers: 6-3 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 10 points. 7-2 ATS off a road loss. 13-6 ATS after playing their last game on the road. 5-1 ATS after a game with a turnover margin of -2 or worse. 6-1 UNDER after allowing 37 points or more last game. 9-5 UNDER after 1 or more consecutive straight up losses. 

James Madison Dukes: 3-6 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 75%). 0-4 ATS in games played on a grass field. 2-4 ATS off an upset loss as a favorite. 10-6 UNDER as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points. 5-2 UNDER after 1 or more consecutive straight up losses. 7-3 UNDER versus poor rushing defenses - allowing 4.75 rushing yards/carry or more.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers:  R. Helms (TE) Out - Undisclosed. T. Finley (QB) Questionable - Leg.

James Madison Dukes:  A. Barnett (QB) Doubtful - Undisclosed. T. Purdy (RB) Out - Leg. A. Adeyi (RB) Questionable - Lower Body. J. Funk (TE) Questionable - Undisclosed.

“It’s definitely a destination spot for us. It’s really a place we enjoy going back to. You guys do a great job. We’re excited to get the opportunity to play a really good opponent. That’s what college football’s all about, so we’ll be excited to get down there to play that game.” - Tyson Helton on his team playing in the Boca Raton Bowl. 

“He’s been here the whole time all the way through. He’s watched Alonza go through [the] beginning of his career. He’s had his opportunity as well, and I think they both wish they could have a lot back from their original attempts. I’m excited for Billy to get his shot. He works so hard.” - Bob Chesney on Billy Atkins playing in the Boca Raton Bowl.

WR Smith, Dalvin

WR Johnson, Kisean

WR Messer, Easton 

TE Meyers, Noah 

QB Veltkamp, Caden

RB Young, Elijah 

WR Ross, Cam 

WR Hudson, Taji 

WR Dollison, Omarion

TE Wright, Kyi 

QB Atkins, Billy 

RB Adeyi, Ayo 

Passing: C. Veltkamp (2806)

Rushing: E. Young (846)

Receiving: K. Johnson (855)

Touchdowns: C. Veltkamp (7)

Passing: A. Barnett (2596)

Rushing: G. Pettaway (881)

Receiving: Y. Knight (567)

Touchdowns: A. Barnett (7)

Coaches:

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers: Tyson Helton (6th season)

James Madison Dukes: Bob Chesney (1st season)