- James Madison is a -9 point favorite vs. Western Kentucky
- Western Kentucky vs. James Madison Total (Over/Under): 52.5 points
- TV Channel: ESPN
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-5) visit FAU Stadium to take on the James Madison Dukes (8-4) on Dec. 18 in Boca Raton, FL. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30pm EST.
James Madison is a betting favorite in the Boca Raton Bowl, with the spread sitting at -9 (-115).
The Western Kentucky vs. James Madison Over/Under is 52.5 total points.
Bet now on James Madison vs Western Kentucky & all NCAAF games with BetMGM
Western Kentucky vs. James Madison Odds, Spread, Over/Under:
| Spread | Total (O/U) | Moneyline | |
| Western Kentucky | +9 -105 | 52.5 -110 | +260 |
| James Madison | -9 -115 | 52.5 -110 | -350 |
Western Kentucky vs James Madison Prediction:
The winning team model predicts James Madison will win this game with 70.5% confidence, based on game simulations, offensive & defensive matchups and recent game results.
This winning team prediction factors in up-to-date player injuries for both Western Kentucky and James Madison, key player performances this season and recent team trends.
Western Kentucky vs James Madison Spread Prediction:
Based on recent against-the-spread trends, the model predicts Western Kentucky will cover the spread with 55.1% confidence.
This prediction against the spread factors in ATS performances for both teams, opening and current betting lines plus public and sharp money already wagered on this matchup.
Bet now on James Madison vs Western Kentucky and all games with BetMGM
Western Kentucky Best Bets & Trends for ATS, Moneyline & Totals
- Western Kentucky has hit the 1H Game Total Over in 6 of their last 8 away games (+4.80 Units / 52% ROI)
- Western Kentucky has hit the Game Total Over in 6 of their last 8 away games (+3.80 Units / 43% ROI)
- Western Kentucky has hit the 1Q Moneyline in 4 of their last 6 away games (+3.10 Units / 32% ROI)
- Western Kentucky has hit the 1Q Game Total Over in 5 of their last 8 away games (+1.60 Units / 17% ROI)
- Western Kentucky have covered the Spread in 8 of their last 14 games (+1.40 Units / 9% ROI)
James Madison Best Bets & Trends for ATS, Moneyline & Totals
- James Madison has hit the 1H Moneyline in their last 5 games at home (+5.00 Units / 16% ROI)
- James Madison have covered the 1H Spread in 4 of their last 5 games at home (+2.75 Units / 47% ROI)
- James Madison has hit the 1Q Game Total Over in 4 of their last 5 games at home (+2.75 Units / 45% ROI)
- James Madison has hit the Game Total Under in 8 of their last 13 games (+2.50 Units / 17% ROI)
- James Madison has hit the 1H Game Total Over in 8 of their last 13 games (+2.25 Units / 15% ROI)
We’ve highlighted some favorite college football player prop bets for Western Kentucky players, looking at profitable historical betting trends:
Best Western Kentucky Player Prop Bets Today
- Kisean Johnson has hit the Receiving Yards Under in his last 2 games (+2.00 Units / 83% ROI)
- Elijah Young has hit the Rushing Yards Over in his last 2 games (+2.00 Units / 83% ROI)
- Easton Messer has hit the Receiving Yards Over in his last game (+1.00 Units / 83% ROI)
- River Helms has hit the Receiving Yards Under in his last game (+1.00 Units / 83% ROI)
Top NCAAF player prop bets for James Madison players, looking at profitable historical betting trends:
Best James Madison Player Prop Best Bets Today
- Taylor Thompson has hit the Receiving Yards Over in his last game (+1.00 Units / 83% ROI)
- Alonza Barnett III has hit the Rushing Yards Under in his last game (+1.00 Units / 83% ROI)
- Omarion Dollison has hit the Receiving Yards Under in his last game (+1.00 Units / 83% ROI)
Western Kentucky Against the Spread (ATS) Record
Western Kentucky is 7-6 against the spread this college football season (+0.4 Units / 2.8% ROI).
- Western Kentucky is 8-5 when betting on the Moneyline for -0.7 Units / -1% ROI
- Western Kentucky is 6-7 when betting the Over for -1.7 Units / -11.89% ROI
- Western Kentucky is 7-6 when betting the Under for +0.4 Units / 2.8% ROI
James Madison Against the Spread (ATS) Record
James Madison is 6-6 against the spread this college football season (-0.6 Units / -4.55% ROI).
- James Madison is 7-4 when betting on the Moneyline for -5.45 Units / -8.01% ROI
- James Madison is 4-8 when betting the Over for -4.8 Units / -36.36% ROI
- James Madison is 8-4 when betting the Under for +3.6 Units / 27.27% ROI
Western Kentucky: Keys to the Game vs. James Madison
Western Kentucky is undefeated (8-0) when averaging more than 5 yards on first down plays this season– T-best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .571
Western Kentucky is 7-2 (.778) when making 7 or more explosive plays this season– T-13th-best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .592
Western Kentucky is 10-4 (.714) when allowing less than 5 explosive passes since the 2023 season– T-9th-best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .541
Western Kentucky is 4-1 (.800) when not losing a fumble this season– T-9th-best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .535
James Madison: Keys to the Game vs. Western Kentucky
James Madison is undefeated (6-0) when the opposing team commits 60 yards or more in penalties. since the 2023 season– best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .487
James Madison is 15-2 (.882) when committing less than 60 yards in penalties since the 2023 season– best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .466
James Madison is 15-3 (.833) when not losing a fumble since the 2023 season– T-3rd-best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .525
James Madison is 9-3 (.750) when rushing at least 4 yards in a play 10 or more times this season– T-31st-best in FBS; Average: .575
Matchup Notes for Western Kentucky vs. James Madison
James Madison’s RBs has rushed for 1,787 yards on 319 carries (5.6 YPC) this season — T-29th-best among FBS RBs. Western Kentucky’s defense have allowed 5.0 YPC this season — T-24th-worst among FBS defenses.
Taylor Thompson (JM) has 32 receptions in 12 games (2.7 per game) this season — T-4th-worst of Qualified Tight Ends. Western Kentucky’s defense has allowed just 13.7 receptions per game this season — 2nd-best among FBS defenses.
Taylor Thompson (JM) has 32 receptions in 12 games (2.7 per game) this season — T-4th-worst of Qualified Tight Ends. Western Kentucky’s defense has allowed just 1.9 receptions per game to TEs this season — 4th-best among FBS defenses.
Western Kentucky’s WRs has 463 receptions in 26 games (17.8 per game) since the 2023 season — T-11th-best among FBS WRs. James Madison’s defense has allowed 19.5 receptions per game since the 2023 season — T-33rd-worst among FBS defenses.
Western Kentucky has 624 receptions in 26 games (24.0 per game) since the 2023 season — T-12th-best among FBS skill players. James Madison’s defense has allowed 19.5 receptions per game since the 2023 season — T-33rd-worst among FBS defenses.
Western Kentucky’s WRs has 1.9 receiving touchdowns per game since the 2023 season — T-7th-best among FBS WRs. James Madison’s defense has allowed just 1.2 receiving touchdowns per game since the 2023 season — T-22nd-best among FBS defenses.
Western Kentucky Offensive Stats & Trends
Western Kentucky’s WRs has 463 receptions in 26 games (17.8 per game) since the 2023 season — T-11th-best among FBS WRs. James Madison’s defense has allowed 19.5 receptions per game since the 2023 season — T-33rd-worst among FBS defenses.
Western Kentucky has 624 receptions in 26 games (24.0 per game) since the 2023 season — T-12th-best among FBS skill players. James Madison’s defense has allowed 19.5 receptions per game since the 2023 season — T-33rd-worst among FBS defenses.
Western Kentucky’s WRs has 1.9 receiving touchdowns per game since the 2023 season — T-7th-best among FBS WRs. James Madison’s defense has allowed just 1.2 receiving touchdowns per game since the 2023 season — T-22nd-best among FBS defenses.
Western Kentucky Skill Players have been targeted 172 times with 4-6 yards to go since the 2023 season– most among FBS Teams
Western Kentucky WRs have been targeted 128 times with 4-6 yards to go since the 2023 season– T-most among FBS Teams
James Madison Offensive Stats & Trends
James Madison RBs have caught 8 touchdown passes in the Red Zone since the 2023 season– 2nd-most among FBS Teams
James Madison TEs have caught 4 touchdown passes in close and late situations since the 2023 season– T-2nd-most among FBS Teams
James Madison TEs have averaged 20.1 yards per reception (161 yards/8 catches) with 4-6 yards to go since the 2023 season– 3rd-best among FBS Teams; Average: 10.1
James Madison RBs picked up first downs on 5 receptions in the Red Zone in the 2023 season– most among FBS Teams
James Madison RBs have averaged 5.6 Yards per Carry (1,787 yards/319 carries) this season– T-29th-best among FBS Teams; Average: 5.1
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Defensive Stats & Trends
Western Kentucky’s opponents has attempted just 22.8 passes per game this season– 2nd-lowest in FBS; Average: 30.5
Western Kentucky has tackled opponents for a loss on just 65 of 573 rushing attempts (11% TFL%) this season– T-11th-worst in FBS; Average: 16%.
Opponents have averaged just 13.7 completions per game (178 / 13) against Western Kentucky this season– 2nd-best in FBS; Average: 18.5
Western Kentucky has allowed 2,885 rushing yards this season– 2nd-most in FBS
Western Kentucky has allowed a Completion Pct of just 49% (44 completions/89 attempts) when opponents had over 10 yards to go since the 2023 season– 5th-best in FBS; Average: 60%
James Madison Dukes Defensive Stats & Trends
James Madison has sacked opposing QBs just once on 70 pass attempts in the Red Zone since the 2023 season– T-8th-worst in FBS; Average: 15.1
James Madison has averaged 3.3 sacks per game since the 2023 season– T-best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: 2.0
James Madison has tackled opponents for a loss on 11 of 50 rushing attempts (22% TFL%) on 3rd and short since the 2023 season– best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: 11%.
James Madison has tackled opponents for a loss on 11 of 50 rushing attempts (22% TFL%) on 3rd and short since the 2023 season– best in FBS; Average: 11%.
James Madison has sacked opposing QBs just once on 70 pass attempts in the Red Zone since the 2023 season– 4th-worst among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: 15.6
Bet now on James Madison vs Western Kentucky and all games with BetMGM
More College Football Betting at BetMGM
BetMGM is the best online sportsbook for college football betting.
Whether you’re a first-time bettor checking out the best sportsbook promos, a casual fan betting on Georgia football national championship odds, Michigan football odds, or Ohio State playoff odds, or a longtime diehard breaking down trends for live sports betting, there are entertainment options for everyone.
Visit the sportsbook today to place a college football bet online!
