This week, do we get the real Jacksonville State?
When the Gamecocks went to WKU last week, they were already in the Conference USA Championship. It was a close game between 19 and 17, but the Hilltoppers won in the end. Now we have a rematch in AmFirst to settle this for good.
Jacksonville State has had a great first two years in the FBS level under head coach Rich Rodriguez. This year’s team came back from an odd 0-3 start to win eight straight games to turn things around. Last year’s team was a big surprise with a nine-win season and a bowl win over Louisiana.
It has been hard for Western Kentucky to get through the campaign. It started with a rout of Alabama, came close to beating Boston College a few weeks later, and ended with a terrible home loss to Louisiana Tech before losing at Liberty.
It has a chance to win its first Conference USA title since 2016 now that it is here.
Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State, Conference USA Championship: How to Watch and Game Preview
Date: Friday, December 6, 2024
Game Time: 7:00 pm
How To Watch: CBS Sports Network
Venue: AmFirst Stadium, Jacksonville, AL
Teams: Western Kentucky (8-4), Jacksonville State (8-4)
Why Jacksonville State Will Win
It’s not like the Hilltoppers stuffed the Gamecocks last week.
The WKU defense was fantastic on third downs, keeping Jax State to just 2-of-13 chance. That’s about to change.
The Hilltopper defense has been awful on third downs this season, allowing teams to convert 44% of their chances. To be fair, it was okay in the loss to Louisiana Tech a few weeks ago, and then it couldn’t get off the field in the loss to Liberty.
It’s not fair to WKU to suggest that Jax State didn’t unleash the beast last week, but here comes the running game. However …
Why Western Kentucky Will Win
The Hilltoppers are now going to pass.
Western Kentucky had the ball for longer than any other team last week, but the Gamecocks did not put enough pressure on quarterback Caden Veltkamp and there were way too many stalls and penalties.
Jacksonville State plays quickly and does not care who has the ball the most, but its defence will need some breaks now and then.
The team is 5-0 when they give up less than 258 passing yards and 3-4 when they give up that many or more. Veltkamp threw for more than 300 yards last week. When he throws for more than 265 yards, the team is 7-0.
Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State, Conference USA Championship: Who Will Win?
Do not remember much about what happened last week. The score is now here.
It could be one of the most fun games of Championship Weekend. The Jacksonville State running game will start it off, and then the WKU air show will come on.
The Gamecock offence will be a little better at home, and Rich Rod’s great start to his time in charge will earn a Conference USA trophy.
Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State, Conference USA Championship Prediction, Betting Lines
Prediction: Jacksonville State 34, WKU 27
Line: Jacksonville State -5, o/u: 57.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5
Must See Rating: 4
