Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks Picks & Preview | NCAAFB Week 8

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (4-2) play on Tuesday at 7:30 PM ET versus the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (5-2) at Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium.

The Hilltoppers are expected to win by at least a touchdown (currently -7) versus the Gamecocks. The over/under for this game is 61 points.

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Game Info for Western Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State

• Game Day: Tuesday, October 17, 2023
• Game Time: 7:30 PM ET
• TV Channel: ESPNU
• Location: Jacksonville, Alabama
• Stadium: Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium

Western Kentucky Pick Insights

• Western Kentucky has posted a 4-1-0 record against the spread this season.
• Western Kentucky is a perfect 1-0 against the spread when favored by 7 points or more this season.
• Two of Western Kentucky’s five games with a set total have hit the over (40%).

Western Kentucky Stats & Insights

• With 460.2 yards allowed per game on defense, which ranks fourth-worst in the FBS, Western Kentucky has had to lean on its 69th-ranked offense (390 yards per contest) to keep them in games.
• Offensively, Western Kentucky ranks 44th in the FBS with 32.2 points per game. Meanwhile, the team’s defense ranks 91st in points allowed (460.2 points allowed per contest).
• Despite sporting a bottom-25 pass defense that ranks 18th-worst in the FBS (266.2 passing yards allowed per game), Western Kentucky has put up better results on offense, ranking 26th in the FBS by putting up 286.7 passing yards per game.
• Western Kentucky ranks 14th-worst in rushing offense (103.3 rushing yards per game) and 13th-worst in rushing defense (194 rushing yards per game allowed) this season.
• Western Kentucky ranks 102nd in third-down efficiency (35.3%) on offense and 83rd in third-down conversion rate allowed (40.4%) on defense this season.
• Western Kentucky has forced 16 total turnovers (first in the FBS) this season and have turned it over eight times (56th in the FBS) for a turnover margin of +8, the seventh-best in college football.

Western Kentucky’s Best Players

• Austin Reed has 1,658 yards passing for Western Kentucky, completing 60.8% of his passes and recording 14 touchdowns and three interceptions this season. He’s also helped out on the ground with 74 rushing yards (12.3 ypg) on 24 carries with three rushing touchdowns.
• Markese Stepp has 180 rushing yards on 36 carries with two touchdowns.
• LT Sanders has been handed the ball 20 times this year and racked up 127 yards (21.2 per game).
• Malachi Corley’s 543 yards as a receiver pace the team. He’s been targeted 59 times and has collected 37 catches and five touchdowns.
• Easton Messer has hauled in 24 receptions totaling 299 yards, finding the end zone three times as a receiver so far this campaign.
• Jimmy Holiday has been the target of 18 passes and compiled 10 receptions for 136 yards, an average of 22.7 yards per contest. He’s found the end zone one time through the air this season.
• Kendrick Simpkins paces the team with five sacks, and also has five TFL and 23 tackles.
• Western Kentucky’s top-tackler, Talique Allen, has 32 tackles this year.
• Takulve Williams has a team-high one interception to go along with 14 tackles and one pass defended.

Jacksonville State Betting Insights

• Jacksonville State’s ATS record is 3-2-0 this year.
• Jacksonville State has not yet covered the spread as underdogs of 7 points or more this year (0-2).
• Out of Jacksonville State’s five games with a set total, one has hit the over (20%).

Jacksonville State Pick Insights

• Jacksonville State ranks 88th with 362.6 total yards per game on offense, and it ranks 57th with 362.7 total yards surrendered per contest on defense.
• In terms of points scored Jacksonville State ranks 72nd in the FBS (28 points per game), and it is 28th defensively (19.4 points allowed per game).
• Jacksonville State’s passing game has not been getting things done, ranking 12th-worst in the FBS with 158.6 passing yards per game. It has been more effective defensively, giving up 231.1 passing yards per contest (78th-ranked).
• Jacksonville State’s run offense has been paving the way for the team, as it ranks 15th-best in the FBS with 204 rushing yards per game. In terms of defense, it is surrendering 131.6 rushing yards per game, which ranks 58th.
• Jacksonville State ranks 91st in the FBS with a 37.5% third-down conversion rate, but it has been carried by its defense, which ranks 17th-best by allowing a 31.8% third-down rate.
• Jacksonville State has thrived in terms of turnovers, as its turnover margin of +9 ranks third-best in the FBS, with 16 forced turnovers (first in the nation) and seven turnovers committed (35th in the nation).

Jacksonville State’s Best Players

• Logan Smothers has been a dual threat for Jacksonville State this season. He has 638 passing yards (91.1 per game) while completing 56.9% of his passes. He’s tossed five touchdown passes and two interceptions this season. On the ground, he’s compiled 253 yards (36.1 ypg) on 65 carries with six rushing touchdowns.
• Malik Jackson is his team’s leading rusher with 104 carries for 578 yards, or 82.6 per game. He’s found the end zone four times on the ground, as well.
• Perry Carter Jr. has hauled in 325 receiving yards on 18 receptions to pace his team so far this season while scoring two touchdowns as a receiver.
• Quinton Lane has put together a 167-yard season so far with one touchdown. He’s caught 14 passes on 23 targets.
• Sean Brown has racked up 148 reciving yards (21.1 ypg) and two touchdowns this season.
• Chris Hardie has 3.5 sacks to lead the team, and also has five TFL, 28 tackles, and one interception.
• Quae Drake is the team’s leading tackler this year. He’s collected 38 tackles, one TFL, and one interception.
• Kekoura Tarnue has picked off a team-leading two passes. He also has 18 tackles, one TFL, one sack, and two passes defended to his name.