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Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
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Jacksonville State has -- count 'em -- three injured quarterbacks. The best of the bunch, Zion Webb, is out for sure. The others, banged up, are questionable. Give the uncertainty, let's opt for the team with a healthy, effective QB. Western's Austin Reed throws more than 40 times per game with admirable accuracy, having been guilty of only three interceptions. The Hilltoppers' two losses are hardly a disgrace -- to Ohio State and narrowly to Troy. The 'Toppers have covered in nine of their last dozen roadies and should extend the streak against a foe with QB chaos.
Rich-Rod's Gamecocks have had an easier time adjusting to the FBS ranks than fellow C-USA newcomer Sam Houston, but last week's heavy loss to Liberty suggests J'ville State still a couple of notches below the top tier in the new loop. The Hilltoppers would probably qualify at that level, with QB Austin Reed an establish force in this conference and Tyson Helton now 13-3 vs. the line his last 16 in league play. Do you think super-agent Jimmy Sexton has a couple of potential openings in mind for his up-and-comer client? Play WKU
Already bet the Under here and happy with that considering it has since dropped ... and now that Jacksonville State is getting a TD and a two-point PAT on the spread, I'll throw a half unit down on Rich Rodriguez's Gamecocks at home. Western Kentucky can sling it for sure but defensively allows nearly 200 ypg on the ground, and that's where JSU lives. Star WKU linebacker JaQues Evans is expected to miss the game.
Jacksonville State+8 - A big game in Conference USA with Western Kentucky standing at 2-0 in conference and Jacksonville State 3-1. The Gamecocks are off a tough loss, 31-13 last week to 1st place Liberty in a game that was closer than the score indicated. Western Kentucky has wins over Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee State. My model give JSU a distinct advantage with the ground game and overall defense versus the Hilltoppers. The Gamecocks HS Rich Rodriguez will have his team ready to win the battle of the trenches. QB Zion Webb (3pts) is questionable. #1 QB Smothers is out. My number is with #3 QB Ashton Frye. If Webb plays this number will crash. Did someone say double money line sprinkle
For the fourth week in a row Jacksonville State is playing a Conference USA mid-week game. This likely will bode problems for a Gamecocks team that has had issues in these games. They were down two touchdowns against both Middle Tennessee and Jacksonville State before rallying, and last week lost 31-13 against Liberty. Lay it with Western Kentucky on twelve days rest who are led by prolific quarterback Austin Reed.
Guess I'll take this now since only one of our books has 60.5 and the rest 60. This will be fascinating in terms of which offense dictates the night because WKU is pass heavy and JSU is run heavy. Generally, the home team is better able to dictate pace and if that's true then this will go Under. The Gamecocks largely did dictate last Tuesday at home against high-flying Liberty and there were only 44 points scored and I see this as hopefully more of the same. JSU could be down its No. 1 RB as well.
Team Injuries
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