Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs James Madison Dukes Prediction, 12/18/2024 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs James Madison Dukes

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Location: FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, FL

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Dukes (-6.0)

Total/Over-Under: 55

FAU Stadium is where the James Madison Dukes (8-4) will take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-5) on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 in the Boca Raton Bowl. James Madison opens this matchup as 6.0-point favorites. The total is set at 55.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers come into this matchup with a record of 8-5 for this season. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Hilltoppers played against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks and ended up losing by a score of 52-12. When the final whistle blew, they ran 56 plays which converted into 229 yards. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers ran the ball a total of 26 different times and accumulated 88 yards, which came out to an average of 3.4 yds per carry. On the ground, the Hilltoppers gave up 386 yds on 56 tries, which is 6.9 yards per rush surrendered. Western Kentucky surrendered 11 pass completions on 15 attempts for 176 yds, and a completion rate of 73.3%.

In terms of putting points on the board, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have an average of 25.5 points per contest. As a team they're maintaining an average of 116.0 yards rushing ranking them 109th in the nation. The Hilltoppers have tallied 4,911 total yards for this campaign. In terms of getting in the endzone, Western Kentucky has totaled 26 passing touchdowns and 14 touchdowns via the ground. Western Kentucky has tallied 256 1st downs, and they have been flagged for 55 penalties for 538 yards. They have surrendered the football 21 times.

The Hilltoppers rank 65th in D-1 in terms of team defense, allowing 24.5 points per contest. They are giving up an average of 5.0 yards per run and 221.9 rushing yards per game for the season. Over the course of this year, they have given up 2,885 yards via the running game in 13 games. When it comes to passing yardage, the Hilltoppers have conceded 2,283 yds which puts them in 26th in college football. They have surrendered 175.6 yards per outing through the air and allowed a completion percentage of 60.1%. For the year, they are surrendering 397.5 yards per contest which ranks them 96th in the country. They have granted 16 touchdowns by air and 25 touchdowns via the ground game.

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The Dukes head into this game 8-4 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Dukes went home defeated by a final of 35-33 when they faced the Marshall Thundering Herd. The Dukes finished with 382 yards and they ran 72 plays (5.3 yds per play). James Madison rushed for 4.6 yards per attempt, finishing the game with 244 yds on 53 attempts. James Madison surrendered 38 running attempts for 141 yds (3.7 yds per carry). The Dukes secondary allowed a completion percentage of 52.0%, relinquishing 120 yds on 13 out of 25 through the air.

The James Madison Dukes are averaging 408.8 yards/contest, which ranks them 49th in the nation. The James Madison offense has totaled 688 yds of penalties on 88 violations, ranking them 22nd in Division 1 in terms of helping out the other team. They maintain an average of 189.8 yards per game via the rush and have run for 2,278 yards overall. They have thrown 4 picks while conceding 5 fumbles and they have earned 250 first downs. When it comes to their scoring prowess, the Dukes are ranking 24th in college football holding an average of 33.8 points per outing. For the season so far, the Dukes have thrown for a total of 2,627 yards through the air along with holding an average of 218.9 passing yards per outing, which has them sitting 79th in college football.

James Madison has allowed a total of 1,484 rushing yards (123.7 yards per outing) as well as 13 touchdowns via the rush so far this year. They have given up 14 touchdowns through the air as well as 198.5 yards per outing, which has them in 37th in the nation. They have earned 10 fumbles recovered and 17 interceptions this season. The Dukes defense has taken the field for 800 plays, which is 64th in Division 1. The Dukes are surrendering 20.8 points per game, which has them ranked 28th in the nation. This season, they have relinquished 250 total points.

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

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take the Dukes -6.0

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