Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks Prediction, 10/17/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks

Date: Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Location: Burgess-Snow Field in Jacksonville, AL

TV: ESPNU

Odds/Point Spread: Gamecocks (+4)

Total/Over-Under: 61.5

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (4-2) are en route to Burgess-Snow Field on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 where they will attempt to defeat the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (5-2). Western Kentucky opens as 4-point favorites. The total is set at 61.5.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers head into this game 4-2 this season. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Hilltoppers faced the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and walked away with a win by a score of 35-28. Austin Reed went 19/34 with 297 yds passing and 3 TDs. He had a quarterback rating of 152.5 and ended the game with 1 pick. Markese Stepp was the leader on the ground for the Hilltoppers with 9 carries for 76 yds (8.4 yards per carry). In all, they ran 62 plays which converted into 426 yds. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers ran the rock 28 different times and totaled 129 yards, which came out to an average of 4.6 yards per attempt. On the ground, the Hilltoppers gave up 138 yards on 38 tries, which averages out to 3.6 yards per run allowed. Western Kentucky allowed 21 completions on 41 attempts for 259 yds, and a completion percentage of 51.2%.

The Hilltoppers have racked up 2,340 total yards this season. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, Western Kentucky has compiled 15 touchdowns through the air and 8 touchdowns via the ground. They have turned the ball over 8 different times. Western Kentucky has a total of 115 first downs, and they have been flagged for 31 infractions for 261 yds. As a unit they average 102.2 yards on the ground ranking them 121st in D-1. In terms of scoring, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are averaging 32.2 PPG.

Regarding passing yards, the Hilltoppers are giving up 1,597 yds which has them sitting in 94th in Division 1. They have relinquished 266.2 yards per contest through the air in addition to conceding a completion percentage of 59.1%. In total, they are giving up 460.2 yards per outing which has them sitting 129th in the nation. They have given up 9 touchdowns by air and 12 touchdowns on the ground. They are giving up an average of 4.8 yards per rush and 194.0 rushing yards per contest for the campaign. In total, they have given up 1,164 yards on the ground through 6 games. The Hilltoppers rank 93rd in college football when it comes to the opposition scoring, conceding 29.0 PPG.

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The Gamecocks head into this game 5-2 for this year. When they last stepped on the field, the Gamecocks went home defeated by a final of 31-13 against the Liberty Flames. Logan Smothers walked away from the game with 115 yds on 8/18 passing while his quarterback rating was 87. He threw 1 interception and his average yards per pass attempt was 6.4. Anwar Lewis ran the ball 15 times for 81 yds, finishing the game with 5.4 yards per attempt for Jacksonville State. Jacksonville State rushed for 3.6 yds per carry, finishing with 140 yards on 39 carries. The Gamecocks finished the game with a total of 324 yds on 70 plays (4.6 yds per play). The Gamecocks passing defense gave up a completion percentage of 57.1%, surrendering 177 yards on 12 out of 21 passing. Jacksonville State relinquished 55 rush attempts for 245 yards (4.5 yards per rush).

The Jacksonville State Gamecocks are averaging 362.6 yards per outing, which has them ranked 88th in the nation. The Jacksonville State offense has totaled 335 yards of penalties on 39 infractions, which is good for 66th in college football in terms of giving up free yards. They hold an average of 204.0 yards via the ground game and have rushed for 1,428 yards in total. They have thrown 4 picks while losing 3 fumbles and they have obtained 140 first downs. When it comes to their ability to score points, the Gamecocks are sitting 72nd in college football averaging 28.0 PPG. For the year to this point, the Gamecocks have a total of 1,110 yards through the air along with holding an average of 158.6 throwing yards per game, which has them sitting 122nd in the nation.

The Gamecocks are conceding 19.4 points per game, which has them 29th in Division 1. Jacksonville State has surrendered a total of 921 rushing yards (131.6 yards per game) and 9 touchdowns on the ground on the campaign. Overall, they have allowed 136 total points. They have conceded 8 touchdowns from the passing game in addition to 231.1 yards/game, which has them sitting 78th in the nation. The Gamecocks defense has been on the field for 519 plays, which is good for 128th in Division 1. They have compiled 6 fumbles recovered and 10 interceptions for the year.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Gamecocks +4

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