Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State Prediction, Pick & Odds – Conference USA Championship

• Western Kentucky and Jacksonville State meet for the Conference USA Championship
• The Jacksonville State Gamecocks are 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 games at home
• Find our Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State predictions and odds, below

Western Kentucky and Jacksonville State go to war in the Conference USA Championship game on Friday, December 6. These teams do battle just six days after squaring off in Week 14 of the CFB season, which saw Western Kentucky eke out a 19-17 victory and claim their spot in the conference championship.

The Hilltoppers will be aiming for their first Conference USA title since 2016, while the Gamecocks look to win a conference championship in their second season in the FBS. Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State kicks off from AmFirst Stadium at 7 pm ET.

Find all the Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State odds and our best bets, below.

Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State Odds

Jacksonville State are 4.5-point favorites in the college football conference championship odds. The total for Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State is set at 57.5 points. Bettors love the Gamecocks in this one, as 82% of moneyline wagers are on Jacksonville State in the college football public betting splits.

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Odds as of December 5 at FanDuel. Check out the best football betting apps for Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State.

Western Kentucky Betting News & Notes

The Hilltoppers find themselves in an awkward spot. On the one hand, they’ve just defeated their Conference USA Championship foes. On the other, it took a legendary 50-yard field goal as time from Lucas Carneiro as time expired last week to even get to this point.

Caden Veltkamp diced up the Gamecocks’ defense to the tune of 301 yards and a touchdown, while running back Elijah Young ran for 91 yards with ease. Veltkamp has been a consistent producer under center for the Hilltoppers this season, tossing for 2,665 yards and 22 touchdowns on a stellar 8.3 yards per pass.

Caden Veltkamp in WKU’s 49-21 win over MTSU:

-27/30
-398 passing yards
-6 total touchdowns (1 rushing)

Should he be WKU’s starting QB moving forward?pic.twitter.com/KZoYkHnGxg

— Barstool Western (@BarstoolWestern) September 15, 2024

That being said, the Hilltoppers rushing defense leaves room for concern. Especially against an explosive Gamecocks rushing attack. Western Kentucky allows 4.8 yards per rush and sit 89th in the country in EPA allowed per attempt. They’re also 116th in third-down success, allowing opponents to convert on 46%.

Intriguingly, the under has hit in six of Western Kentucky’s last nine games.

Jacksonville State Betting News & Notes

Prior to Saturday’s loss, Rich Rodriguez’s squad had won eight straight games while scoring at least 31 points in seven of those contests. The Gamecocks high-flying spread option has taken Conference USA by storm. JSU ranks 13th nationally in scoring (35.4 points per game). They’re a stellar 20th in yards per play (6.2) and seventh in yards per rush (5.6).

However, a huge part of that success is dual-threat quarterback Tyler Huff, who left last week’s contest with an ankle injury. His dynamism and rushing ability (1,277 rushing yards, 1,966 passing yards, 24 total touchdowns) are the catalyst of the Gamecocks offense.

With only six days to recover, the QB’s game status is squarely in question. Rodriguez has stated he will be a true game-time decision, and Huff won’t play if they feel he can’t be “his true self” on the football field.

Tyler Huff to the 🏠‼️@_tylerhuff

📺CBS Sports Network#HardEdge | #EarnSuccess https://t.co/kTjddkVIh6 pic.twitter.com/pwGH8qLUgX

— Jax State Football (@JaxStateFB) November 23, 2024

Concerningly, Jacksonville State’s defensive numbers are a cause for concern. They surrender 7.6 yards per pass and allow a gaudy 398.8 yards of total offense per game. Part of those numbers is due to their uber-explosive offense forcing teams to throw the football and play at tempo to stay in the game.

Keep in mind, Jacksonville State are a perfect 5-0 in their last five games at home.

Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State Prediction

Ultimately, with Huff a game-time decision, the under 57.5 points is the only play in this Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State rematch. Neither of these defenses is anything to write home about. However, if their star performer can’t go, it’s unlikely the Gamecocks will score the way they have this season.

Western Kentucky will be glad to play another grind it out, defensive battle. Bet the under with confidence.

Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State Pick:

• Under 57.5 points (-110)