[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (4-2, 2-0 CUSA) and the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (5-2, 3-1) meet Tuesday at Burgess-Snow Field in Jacksonville, Ala. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Western Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Hilltoppers picked up a 35-28 road win against Louisiana Tech last time out on Oct. 5, covering a 6-point spread as the Over (59) cashed. WKU has covered the past 3 games, while the Over snapped a 2-game Under run. Western Kentucky has covered the past 2 games on the road, while the Over is 2-1 in 3 away games this season.
Rich Rodriguez’s Gamecocks have already won 5 games, and normally 6 wins are needed for bowl eligibility. Jacksonville State won the Division II National Championship in 1992, but it just accepted an invitation to Conference USA and a spot in the FBS this season. So it is ineligible for a conference championship or bowl game in 2023, likely having to wait until 2024 to make program history.
Jax State was humbled by Liberty last time out by a 31-13 score as 7-point underdogs as the Under (59.5) cashed. That snapped a 3-game win streak, and 2-0-1 ATS run. The Under is 5-2 overall for the Gamecocks.
Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:06 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Western Kentucky -300 (bet $300 to win $100) | Jacksonville +240 (bet $100 to win $240)
- Against the spread (ATS): Western Kentucky -7.5 (-110) | Jacksonville State +7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 59.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State picks and predictions
Prediction
Western Kentucky 33, Jacksonville State 22
Moneyline
Western Kentucky (-300) will cost you 3 times your potential return for this mid-week road test. That’s a little expensive considering the fact Jacksonville State (+240) has been playing good football most of the season. You can’t risk that kind of money, especially on a road team, even if the ‘Toppers are on a roll.
PASS.
Against the spread
WESTERN KENTUCKY -7.5 (-110) is a decent play on the road laying the points, although I’d feel a lot more confident if this was a flat 7, or better yet, 6.5.
Even so, Western Kentucky has covered 3 in a row, including a road win at Louisiana Tech, and a narrow 3-point loss at Troy. The offense has averaged 30.0 PPG in the past 3 games, and will be more than a handful for the Jacksonville State +7.5 (-110) defense to handle.
Over/Under
UNDER 59.5 (-105) is the lean, but don’t get carried away betting too much.
The Over has split 3-3 in 6 games for Western Kentucky this season, going 2-1 on the road. For Jax State, though, the Under is 5-2 overall, including 4-0 at home. The defense has allowed 12.0 PPG in 4 home games, with 31 of 48 total points scored by a good Liberty team last time out.
Proceed cautiously, but the lean is to the Under.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / Recruiting / Transfer portal / College Football Playoffs / College Sports Wire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]