Western Kentucky vs James Madison Picks: ATS and Over/Under Bets for Boca Raton Bowl December 18
- Get the best Western Kentucky vs James Madison odds at BetUS.
- Western Kentucky allows the fifth most rushing yards per game in the nation.
- James Madison is not the best rushing team, but should cover the spread.
- Find my Boca Raton Bowl betting picks ahead.
Place your Bets on Western Kentucky vs James Madison at BetUS Sportsbook!
Western Kentucky (8-5, 6-2 Conference USA) and James Madison (8-4, 4-4, Sun Belt) will be matched up in the Boca Raton Bowl, looking to cap off strong seasons. Neither team won a Conference Championship, and with the transfer portal looming, that will affect college football predictions today.
Let’s take a look at the odds and find the best Western Kentucky vs James Madison bets.
Western Kentucky vs James Madison Game Information
- Game: Western Kentucky (8-5) vs James Madison (8-4)
- Location: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL
- Day/Time: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 5:30 p.m. ET
- Western Kentucky vs James Madison Live Stream: Fubo TV
Get the latest Western Kentucky vs James Madison betting trends here.
Top 2 Western Kentucky vs James Madison Picks
1. James Madison ATS -7
Going into this game, one stat stands out and could be a deciding factor when making college football picks and parlays. That is Western Kentucky’s run defense, one of the worst in the nation, and it will indeed affect this bowl game.
This season, the Hilltoppers have allowed 221.8 rushing yards per game, the fifth most in the nation. In the loss to Jacksonville State, the Hilltoppers were run on like it was nobody’s business, allowing 386 rushing yards. They cannot cover this spread if something like that happens again in this bowl game.
That is a big issue for Western Kentucky because James Madison’s rushing attack is decent. The Dukes have rushed for over 190 yards in eight games this season, with the most coming in the season’s finale. On a season-high 53 attempts, the Dukes rushed for 244 yards and two scores against Marshall. That has led to James Madison being favored in NCAAF spreads.
However, the big issue for James Madison is that it does not have a strong go-to leading rusher. George Pettaway leads the team in rushing attempts (148) and yards (880) while being second in touchdowns (five). The leader in touchdowns is quarterback Alonza Barnett III with seven, but also 135 rushing attempts for 442 yards. Wayne Knight also had a strong season, but Jobi Malary had the best game against Marshall, with 106 yards on 13 carries and a score.
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2. Western Kentucky vs James Madison Under 51.5
Even though Western Kentucky’s run defense may be the most significant factor in deciding this game, James Madison’s defense will also play a massive role. In two straight seasons in the Sun Belt, the Duke has had one of the top defenses in the conference.
While the Duke was second in points allowed last season, in 2024, they were ranked first, allowing just 20.8 points per game. They also gave up the fewest yards per game, at 322.2. James Madison has played through its defense this season, which had led to them hitting the under in four of 12 games.
Western Kentucky’s offense, which is not bad, will face a tough matchup in James Madison’s defense. In Conference USA, the Hilltoppers averaged 25.5 points and 378.4 yards per game. However, in their last three games, which came against two of the top teams in the conference, Liberty and Jacksonville State, they scored a total of 52 points, just 17.3 points per game.
NEWS: Western Kentucky star QB Caden Veltkamp has officially entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, per @PeteNakos_.
Veltkamp threw for 2,806 yards and 23 touchdowns this season.https://t.co/kSYG7dYADj pic.twitter.com/PErhTSQF9O
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) December 10, 2024
On top of that, there is a good chance that Western Kentucky could be without its starting quarterback. Caden Veltkamp headlined NCAA football news going into the transfer portal. He threw for 2,806 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 2024. The Hilltoppers’ offense also went through Veltkamp, as they averaged the most passing yards per game in the conference (261.8). Without him, Western Kentucky will have a tough time cracking James Madison’s defense, leading toward the under, which might happen anyway.
Best Bet: Western Kentucky vs James Madison Under 51.5
Questions of the Day
Is there a player prop to pay attention to?
It might be hard to pick just one running back from James Madison, but Jobi Malary could be a strong bet for scoring a touchdown.
How does the transfer portal affect this matchup?
Western Kentucky seemingly has many more players moving into the transfer portal, leading the line in favor of James Madison.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.
