Do we get the real Jacksonville State this week?
The Gamecocks were already in the Conference USA Championship when they went to WKU last week. The Hilltoppers pulled out a 19-17 thriller to get here, and now we get a rematch in AmFirst to settle this for real.
It’s been a marvelous first two seasons at the FBS level for Jacksonville State under head coach Rich Rodriguez. Last year’s team was a great surprise with a nine-win season and bowl victory over Louisiana, and this year’s version overcame a weird 0-3 start to rip off eight straight wins to turn it all around.
Western Kentucky has needed to scratch and claw its way through the campaign. It started with a blowout loss to Bama, almost beat Boston College a few weeks later, and ended with an inexcusable home faceplant against Louisiana Tech before losing at Liberty.
But it’s here, and it has a shot at its first Conference USA title since 2016.
Jacksonville State Head Coach Rich Rodriguez reacts to a play during college football action at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama October 9, 2024.
© Dave Hyatt / Special to the Gadsden Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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)
CFN Bluesky | CFN X | CFN FB
- Championship Week Schedule, Predictions
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
Here comes the Hilltoppers passing attack.
Western Kentucky dominated the time of possession battle last week, but there were way too many stalls, way too many penalties, and there wasn’t enough Gamecock pressure on QB Caden Veltkamp.
Jacksonville State goes fast and doesn’t care about the time of possession battle, but its defense will need a few breaks here and there.
The team is 5-0 when allowing fewer than 258 passing yards, 3-4 when giving up that many or more. Veltkamp threw for over 300 last week - the team is 7-0 when throwing for more than 265 yards.
Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State, Conference USA Championship: Who Will Win?
Throw out just about everything that happened last week. Here comes the scoring.
The Jacksonville State running game will open it up, the WKU air show will arrive, and this has the potential to be one of the most fun games of Championship Weekend.
At home, the Gamecock offense will be a bit more effective as the amazing start to the RichRod era gets a Conference USA trophy.
Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State, Conference USA Championship Prediction, Betting Lines
Prediction: Jacksonville State 34, WKU 27
Line: Jacksonville State -4.5, o/u: 57.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5
Must See Rating: 4
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