Western Kentucky at South Alabama - 2022 Matchup Preview

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs South Alabama Jaguars

Wednesday, December 21st 2022 (9:00 PM EST)
South Alabama -4 (58.0) (175) Open: -5.0 | 60.5
Western Kentucky 44 - South Alabama: 23 (R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl)

Hilltoppers (9 - 5) (9 - 5 - 0)
Coach Tyson Helton (23 - 16)
Avg Score : 30 - 23 (25 - 28 on Road)
'22 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Bowl Game Opt Outs
Our Line: -4.5 (SP+ USA -9)
Projected Score: WKU: 28 - USA: 26 (54)
USA Win prob: 62% | Cover: 49%
WKU Travel: 529 miles

Jaguars (10 - 3) (7 - 6 - 0)
Coach Kane Wommack (5 - 7)
Avg Score : 27 - 30 (28 - 29 @ Home)
'22 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
Bowls
WKU Players
USA Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Western Kentucky's 2022 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/27	Western Kentucky vs Austin Peay	-32.5	72.0	W 38 - 27	U	N
Sat 9/3	Western Kentucky at Hawai'i	-16.5	67.5	W 49 - 17	U	Y
	BYE WEEK
Sat 9/17	Western Kentucky at Indiana	+7.0	61.0	L 30 - 33	O	Y
Sat 9/24	Western Kentucky vs Florida International	-31.0	65.0	W 73 - 0	O	Y
Sat 10/1	Western Kentucky vs Troy	-5.0	55.0	L 27 - 34	O	N
Sat 10/8	Western Kentucky at UTSA	+6.5	72.5	L 28 - 31	U	Y
Sat 10/15	Western Kentucky at Middle Tennessee	-7.5	67.5	W 35 - 17	U	Y
Fri 10/21	Western Kentucky vs UAB	-1.5	60.5	W 20 - 17	U	Y
Sat 10/29	Western Kentucky vs North Texas	-10.0	70.0	L 13 - 40	U	N
Sat 11/5	Western Kentucky at Charlotte	-14.5	72.5	W 59 - 7	U	Y
Sat 11/12	Western Kentucky vs Rice	-13.5	61.0	W 45 - 10	U	Y
Sat 11/19	Western Kentucky at Auburn	+5.0	54.0	L 17 - 41	O	N
Sat 11/26	Western Kentucky at Florida Atlantic	-7.5	62.5	W 32 - 31	O	N
Wed 12/21	Western Kentucky vs South Alabama	+4.0	58.0	W 44 - 23	O	Y

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Western Kentucky's Schedule

South Alabama's 2022 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/3	South Alabama vs Nicholls	-13.5	53.0	W 48 - 7	O	Y
Sat 9/10	South Alabama at Central Michigan	+6.0	57.5	W 38 - 24	O	Y
Sat 9/17	South Alabama at UCLA	+15.5	59.5	L 31 - 32	O	Y
Sat 9/24	South Alabama vs Louisiana Tech	-13.0	59.0	W 38 - 14	U	Y
Sat 10/1	South Alabama at Louisiana	-8.5	47.0	W 20 - 17	U	N
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/15	South Alabama vs UL Monroe	-17.0	51.0	W 41 - 34	O	N
Thu 10/20	South Alabama vs Troy	-3.0	47.0	L 6 - 10	U	N
Sat 10/29	South Alabama at Arkansas State	-9.0	52.5	W 31 - 3	U	Y
Sat 11/5	South Alabama at Georgia Southern	-3.5	60.5	W 38 - 31	O	Y
Sat 11/12	South Alabama vs Texas State	-16.0	46.0	W 38 - 21	O	Y
Sat 11/19	South Alabama at Southern Miss	-7.5	45.0	W 27 - 20	O	N
Sat 11/26	South Alabama vs Old Dominion	-16.5	47.0	W 27 - 20	U	N
Wed 12/21	South Alabama vs Western Kentucky	-4.0	58.0	L 23 - 44	O	N

Important Stats (2021)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
WKU	.39	52%	29.5	50%	3.22	103	53%	434	4.73	.23	45%	22.8	46%	44%	4.05	54.1	1.4	2.4
USA	.17	42%	26.5	39%	2.77	111	44%	256	3.36	.15	39%	30.4	37%	41%	3.02	43.8	1.7	2.2

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
WKU		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
USA		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2021

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
WKU Offense	14	29.5	24.5	52.2%	4.73	1.4	28	536	103	434	4.1	28%	72%	50%	53%	15%	.39
USA Defense	12	30.4	28.8	38.9%	3.02	2.2	-	-	-	-	-	49%	50%	37%	41%	20%	.15

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
WKU Defense	14	22.8	28	45.4%	4.05	2.4	-	-	-	-	-	52%	47%	46%	44%	18%	.23
USA Offense	12	26.5	27.8	41.6%	3.36	1.7	19	367	111	256	3.1	46%	54%	39%	44%	21%	.17

Additional Stats 2021

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Western Kentucky	14	27:40	27.5	47%	50%	6.8	54.1	1.4	2.4	5.9	2.6	4	31.3
South Alabama	12	32:18	19	31%	61%	4.8	43.8	1.7	2.2	5.7	2.7	1	28.5

Run Game Stats (2022)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
WKU Offense	14	28%	50%	24.9	102.5	4.1	13	.14	3.22	68%	7%	0.8
USA Defense	12	49%	37%	-	-	-	-	.03	2.55	63%	13%	1.01

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
WKU Defense	14	52%	46%	-	-	-	-	.18	3.21	75%	10%	0.92
USA Offense	12	46%	39%	36.6	111.4	3.1	15	.07	2.77	68%	16%	0.91

Pass Game Stats (2022)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
WKU Offense	14	72%	53%	34.3	49.8	433.7	8.7	12.7	63	12	.49	1.5	27%	44%	.7	9%	2.2
USA Defense	12	50%	41%	-	-	-	-	-	-	15	.29	1.7	32%	30%	.3	7%	2.1

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
WKU Defense	14	47%	44%	-	-	-	-	-	-	21	.3	1.6	28%	30%	.26	8%	2.1
USA Offense	12	54%	44%	22.8	33.9	256	7.6	11.3	22	11	.27	1.5	33%	30%	.39	6%	2.1

Western Kentucky's Power Ratings
Western Kentucky's Power Rating: NR
Western Kentucky's Offense Rating: NR
Western Kentucky's Defense Rating: NR
2022 Talent Rating: #81
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Western Kentucky's 2022 Expected Record: -
Western Kentucky's 2022 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.7 #65
Western Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.3 #52
Western Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 30.1 #84

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: South Alabama: 5.4

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: 1.7 South Alabama: 10.8

South Alabama's Power Ratings
South Alabama's Power Rating: 5.4 NR
South Alabama's Offense Rating: NR
South Alabama's Defense Rating: NR
2022 Talent Rating: #89
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 NR
South Alabama's 2022 Expected Record: -
South Alabama's 2022 Overall SP+ Rating: 10.8 #33
South Alabama's Offense SP+ Rating: 26.8 #66
South Alabama's Defense SP+ Rating: 17.4 #22

Average Talent
Average Sun Belt Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Western Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 29.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 24.5
Defense: 22.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 28

Western Kentucky's 2022 Record
Record: 9 - 5
Record vs Spread: 9 - 5 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 8
Record on Road: 5 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 5 - 2 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 3 - 1 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0

Projected Score
Western Kentucky 28
South Alabama 26

Projected Total Points: 54

South Alabama Scoring
Offense: 26.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 27.8
Defense: 30.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 28.8

South Alabama's 2022 Record
Record: 10 - 3
Record vs Spread: 7 - 6 - 0
Over/Under Record: 8 - 5
Record at home: 5 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 5 - 6 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 3 - 3 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2022	12/21	South Alabama	23	Western Kentucky	44	South Alabama -4	Western Kentucky	58.0	Over
2013	09/14	South Alabama	31	Western Kentucky	24	Western Kentucky -10	South Alabama	0

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
South Alabama	1	1	1 Overs
Western Kentucky	1	1	0 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	1 - 1	1 - 1	0 - 1	1 - 0
Road Teams	1 - 1	1 - 1	0 - 1	1 - 0

Western Kentucky Recent Bowl History
Date	Bowl	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result
2022	Orleans Bowl	Western Kentucky vs South Alabama	+4.0	58.0	W 44 - 23
2021	Raton Bowl	Western Kentucky vs App State	+3.0	67.0	W 59 - 38
2020	Lendingtree Bowl	Western Kentucky vs Georgia State	+3.5	50.5	L 21 - 39
2019	Responder Bowl	Western Kentucky vs Western Michigan	-3.0	56.0	W 23 - 20
2017	Cure Bowl	Western Kentucky vs Georgia State	+5.0	54.5	L 17 - 27
2016	Raton Bowl	Western Kentucky vs Memphis	-6.5	79.0	W 51 - 31

South Alabama Recent Bowl History
Date	Bowl	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result
2022	Orleans Bowl	South Alabama vs Western Kentucky	-4.0	58.0	L 23 - 44
2016	N/A	South Alabama vs Air Force	+14.0	54.0	L 21 - 45

(#) WKU at (#) USA

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	WKU	USA
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	NR	NR
SP+SP+	#65	#33
Perf GradeGrade	#59	#51
OffenseOff	#49	#64
DefenseDef	#83	#49
Spec TeamsST	#43	#34
TalentTal	#81	#89
Blue ChipsBC%	NR	NR

Western Kentucky Injury Report

South Alabama Injury Report

Western Kentucky on Offense


CategoryCat	WKU Off	USA Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#49	#49
SuccessSuc	NR	NR
ExplosiveExp	NR	NR
PPAPPA	NR	NR
PowerPwr	NR	NR
SP+SP+	#52	#22
Pts POPPO	NR	NR
HavocHav	NR	NR

Western Kentucky Run Game


CategoryCat	WKU Off	USA Def
Run GameRun	#78	#59
Run SuccessRSuc	NR	NR
Run ExplRExp	NR	NR
PPAExp	NR	NR
Run BlockR Blk	#83	-
OL YdsOLY	NR	NR
Stuff RateStuff	NR	NR
TackleTak	-	#36

Western Kentucky Pass Game


CategoryCat	WKU Off	USA Def
Pass GamePass	#33	#47
Pass SuccessPSuc	NR	NR
Pass ExplPExl	NR	NR
PPAExp	NR	NR
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	#8	#27
F7 HavocF7	NR	NR
DB HavocDB	NR	NR

South Alabama on Offense


CategoryCat	USA Off	WKU Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#64	#83
SuccessSuc	NR	NR
ExplosiveExp	NR	NR
PPAPPA	NR	NR
PowerPwr	NR	NR
SP+SP+	#66	#84
Pts POPPO	NR	NR
HavocHav	NR	NR

South Alabama Run Game


CategoryCat	USA Off	WKU Def
Run GameRun	#62	#83
Run SuccessRSuc	NR	NR
Run ExplRExp	NR	NR
PPAExp	NR	NR
Run BlockR Blk	#100	-
OL YdsOLY	NR	NR
Stuff RateStuff	NR	NR
TackleTak	-	#108

South Alabama Pass Game


CategoryCat	USA Off	WKU Def
Pass GamePass	#36	#58
Pass SuccessPSuc	NR	NR
Pass ExplPExl	NR	NR
PPAExp	NR	NR
Pass Block/RushP Blk	#85	#74
F7 HavocF7	NR	NR
DB HavocDB	NR	NR

Program Comparison
USA 5 Year Profile: Improving Average G5
'22 Profile: Up to Average P4

WKU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'22 Profile: Remains Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Caesers Superdome
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Rematch from Week 1
South Alabama -4.0 (58.0)
Western Kentucky won at South Alabama this year (44-23)

No Matchups Past 4 Years

WKU's OC Ben Arbuckle (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG

View Western Kentucky's Full Roster

WKU's DC Tyson Summers (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD

USA's OC Major Applewhite (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG

View South Alabama's Full Roster

USA's DC Corey Batoon (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD