Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs South Alabama Jaguars Prediction, 12/21/2022 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs South Alabama Jaguars

Date: Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Location: Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Jaguars (-2.5)

Total/Over-Under: 64.5

The South Alabama Jaguars (10-2) will compete against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-5) at Caesars Superdome on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. South Alabama is 2.5-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The over/under is set at 64.5.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers head into this game 8-5 for this year. In their last game, the Hilltoppers took on the Florida Atlantic Owls and went home with a win by a final score of 32-31. Davion Ervin-Poindexter was the leader on the ground for the Hilltoppers with 17 carries for 108 yds (6.4 yards per carry). Austin Reed went 28/52 with 410 yards through the air and 3 TDs. He had a QB rating of 135.3 and finished the contest with 1 pick. On the ground, the Hilltoppers conceded 178 yards on 37 tries, which is 4.8 yds per run allowed. Western Kentucky surrendered 27 completions on 40 tries for a total of 284 yds, and a completion rate of 67.5%. Overall, they ran 85 plays for 571 yards. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers ran the ball 33 times and accumulated 161 yards, which had them averaging 4.9 yards per tote.

When it comes to scoring, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are sitting at 35.8 points per contest. As a unit they're averaging 144.3 yards via the ground game ranking them 72nd in the nation. The Hilltoppers have racked up 6,286 total yards for the year. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, Western Kentucky has earned 38 passing touchdowns and 16 touchdowns on the ground. Western Kentucky has amassed 315 1st downs as an offense, and they have committed 81 infractions for 735 yds. They have turned the football over 21 different times.

When talking about passing yards, the Hilltoppers are giving up 2,928 yards which has them sitting in 90th in college football. They are giving up 225.2 yards per game via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 61.6%. For the season, they are granting 380.8 yards per outing putting them at 70th in the country. They have allowed 18 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 17 touchdowns pounding the rock. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4.0 yards per run and 155.6 rushing yards per game this year. For the year, they have conceded 2,023 rushing yards through 13 games. The Hilltoppers are ranked 43rd in Division 1 when it comes to the opposition scoring, allowing 23.5 PPG.

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The Jaguars come into this game with a record of 10-2 for this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Jaguars went home victorious with a score of 27-20 against the Old Dominion Monarchs. Carter Bradley (3 TDs) finished the game with 190 yds on 17/29 passing while his quarterback rating was 140.9. He threw 1 interception and his Y/A was 6.6. La'Damian Webb carried the football 18 times for 74 yards, ending the contest with 4.1 yds per attempt for South Alabama. The Jaguars finished the game with 398 yards while running 78 plays (5.1 yards per play). South Alabama rushed the football for 4.2 yards per carry, finishing with a total of 208 yards on 49 carries. South Alabama surrendered 25 rush attempts for 96 yards (3.8 yards per rush). The Jaguars pass defense allowed a completion percentage of 58.3%, relinquishing 285 yds on 21 out of 36 passing.

The South Alabama Jaguars maintain an average of 423.9 yards/outing, which has them ranked 40th in Division 1. The South Alabama offense has accrued 893 yards of penalties on 98 violations, ranking them 5th in the nation in terms of making mistakes. For the season to this point, the Jaguars have a total of 3,094 yards via the pass as well as holding an average of 257.8 throwing yards per outing, giving them a rank of 42nd in the country. In relation to their scoring prowess, the Jaguars are ranking 42nd in college football averaging 31.9 points per outing.

South Alabama has surrendered a total of 1,054 yards rushing (87.8 yards/game) as well as 8 touchdowns via the rush for the year. They have allowed 17 touchdowns through the air as well as 215.4 yards/outing, which has them ranked 52nd in college football. The Jaguars defense has taken part in 758 plays, which has them ranked 17th in the country. The Jaguars are surrendering 19.4 points per contest, which has them 15th in D-1. This year, they have relinquished 233 total points.

Who will win tonight's Hilltoppers/Jaguars college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Hilltoppers +2.5

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