Western Kentucky at Alabama - 2024 Matchup Preview

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Alabama Crimson Tide(#9)

Saturday, August 31st 2024 (7:00 PM EDT)
Alabama -31 (60.0) (-20000) Open: -31.0 | 60.5
Alabama 63 - Western Kentucky: 0

Hilltoppers (8 - 6) (7 - 7 - 0)
Coach Tyson Helton (40 - 26)
Avg Score : 25 - 25 (25 - 34 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8 - 6 (#42)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Temp: 99.1° (34% Hum)
Our Line: Alabama -29.5 (SP+ ALA -27)
Projected Score: WKU: 15 - ALA: 44 (59)
ALA Win prob: 97% | Cover: 52%
WKU Travel: 268 miles

Crimson Tide (9 - 4) (7 - 6 - 0)
Coach Kalen DeBoer (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 34 - 17 (41 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 9 - 4 (#28)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
WKU Players
ALA Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Western Kentucky's 2024 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/31	Western Kentucky at Alabama	+31.0	60.0	L 0 - 63	O	N
Sat 9/7	Western Kentucky vs Eastern Kentucky	-18.5	59.5	W 31 - 0	U	Y
Sat 9/14	Western Kentucky at Middle Tennessee	-10.5	53.5	W 49 - 21	O	Y
Sat 9/21	Western Kentucky vs Toledo	+2.0	60.5	W 26 - 21	U	Y
Sat 9/28	Western Kentucky at Boston College	+7.5	48.0	L 20 - 21	U	Y
	BYE WEEK
Thu 10/10	Western Kentucky vs UTEP	-19.0	55.5	W 44 - 17	O	Y
Wed 10/16	Western Kentucky at Sam Houston	+1.5	55.0	W 31 - 14	U	Y
	BYE WEEK
Wed 10/30	Western Kentucky vs Kennesaw State	-24.0	49.0	W 31 - 14	U	N
Sat 11/9	Western Kentucky at New Mexico State	-18.0	53.5	W 41 - 28	O	N
Sat 11/16	Western Kentucky vs Louisiana Tech	-11.5	52.5	L 7 - 12	U	N
Sat 11/23	Western Kentucky at Liberty	+1.0	56.5	L 21 - 38	O	N
Sat 11/30	Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State	+0.5	62.5	W 19 - 17	U	Y
Fri 12/6	Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State	+4.5	58.5	L 12 - 52	O	N
Wed 12/18	Western Kentucky vs James Madison	+7.5	50.5	L 17 - 27	U	N

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

Alabama's 2024 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/31	Alabama vs Western Kentucky	-31.0	60.0	W 63 - 0	O	Y
Sat 9/7	Alabama vs South Florida	-33.5	65.5	W 42 - 16	U	N
Sat 9/14	Alabama at Wisconsin	-15.5	51.0	W 42 - 10	O	Y
	BYE WEEK
Sat 9/28	Alabama vs Georgia	+2.0	50.0	W 41 - 34	O	Y
Sat 10/5	Alabama at Vanderbilt	-23.5	53.5	L 35 - 40	O	N
Sat 10/12	Alabama vs South Carolina	-21.0	50.0	W 27 - 25	O	N
Sat 10/19	Alabama at Tennessee	-3.5	57.5	L 17 - 24	U	N
Sat 10/26	Alabama vs Missouri	-16.0	51.5	W 34 - 0	U	Y
	BYE WEEK
Sat 11/9	Alabama at LSU	-2.5	57.5	W 42 - 13	U	Y
Sat 11/16	Alabama vs Mercer	-42.0	58.5	W 52 - 7	O	Y
Sat 11/23	Alabama at Oklahoma	-14.0	47.0	L 3 - 24	U	N
Sat 11/30	Alabama vs Auburn	-10.5	50.5	W 28 - 14	U	Y
Tue 12/31	Alabama vs Michigan	-16.5	45.5	L 13 - 19	U	N

Important Stats (2024)

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	#66 (.19)	42% (83)	24.9	38% (117)	2.78 (108)	110	45% (33)	265	3.83 (78)	#95 (.21)	45% (102)	24.6	48% (113)	40% (60)	3.66 (54)	41.3	1.7	1.5
ALA	#44 (.23)	45% (34)	33.8	45% (52)	2.75 (112)	169	45% (31)	222	4.71 (8)	#8 (.05)	37% (12)	17.4	38% (15)	37% (19)	2.85 (5)	66.3	1.4	2.1

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	#66 (.19)	42% (83)		38% (117)	2.78 (108)	110	45% (33)	265	3.83 (78)	#95 (.21)	45% (102)		48% (113)	40% (60)	3.66 (54)	41.3	1.7	1.5
ALA	#44 (.23)	45% (34)		45% (52)	2.75 (112)	169	45% (31)	222	4.71 (8)	#8 (.05)	37% (12)		38% (15)	37% (19)	2.85 (5)	66.3	1.4	2.1

Overall Stats 2024

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	24.9	24.9	41.8%	3.83	1.7	19	374	110	265	3.5	45%	55%	38%	45%	16%	.19
ALA Defense	13	17.4	13.7	37.2%	2.85	2.1	-	-	-	-	-	52%	48%	38%	37%	18%	.05

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	24.6	33.9	44.7%	3.66	1.5	-	-	-	-	-	63%	36%	48%	40%	13%	.21
ALA Offense	13	33.8	41	45.2%	4.71	1.4	20	390	169	222	4.8	53%	47%	45%	45%	16%	.23

Additional Stats 2024

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	27:52	19.3	41%	59%	4.1	41.3	1.7	1.5	4.9	1.6	0	29.7
Alabama	13	27:39	19.7	49%	62%	7.1	66.3	1.4	2.1	4.8	1.8	0	29.8

Run Game Stats (2024)

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	45% (105)	38% (117)	31.1	109.7	3.5	14 (98)	.01 (121)	2.78 (108)	69% (100)	11% (87)	0.95 (75)
ALA Defense	13	52% (87)	38% (15)	-	-	-	-	-.02 (8)	2.81 (38)	76% (86)	10% (61)	0.87 (19)

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	63% (134)	48% (113)	-	-	-	-	.19 (103)	3.36 (116)	77% (93)	9% (88)	0.9 (35)
ALA Offense	13	53% (49)	45% (52)	35.2	168.8	4.8	41 (5)	.21 (28)	2.75 (112)	76% (44)	11% (102)	1.12 (12)

Pass Game Stats (2024)

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	55% (26)	45% (33)	22.1	33.5	264.6	7.9	12	28 (15)	12 (85)	.36 (28)	1.6 (59)	33% (91)	30% (91)	.29 (89)	6% (56)	1.9 (100)
ALA Defense	13	48% (49)	37% (19)	-	-	-	-	-	-	16 (10)	.12 (22)	1.6 (86)	35% (21)	29% (38)	.25 (44)	8% (15)	2 (56)

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	36% (1)	40% (60)	-	-	-	-	-	-	10 (66)	.29 (99)	1.8 (128)	28% (116)	29% (47)	.23 (37)	3% (132)	2.1 (92)
ALA Offense	13	47% (84)	45% (31)	16.2	24.7	221.6	9	13.7	16 (87)	10 (63)	.27 (59)	1.5 (78)	28% (21)	31% (77)	.3 (83)	4% (20)	2.3 (4)

Western Kentucky's Power Ratings
Western Kentucky's Power Rating: -8.09 #92
Western Kentucky's Offense Rating: 19.32 #71
Western Kentucky's Defense Rating: 11.86 #86
2024 Talent Rating: 482.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 2% #82
Western Kentucky's 2024 Expected Record: 8.0 - 6.0
Western Kentucky's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: -2.2 #78
Western Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 22.1 #101
Western Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 26.1 #62

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 482
Average Power Five Talent: 482
Average FBS Talent: 482

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: -8.09 Alabama: 24.435

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: -2.2 Alabama: 25.0

Alabama's Power Ratings
Alabama's Power Rating: 24.435 #9
Alabama's Offense Rating: 23.39 #33
Alabama's Defense Rating: 4.21 #20
2024 Talent Rating: 482.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 82 #1
Alabama's 2024 Expected Record: 9.0 - 4.0
Alabama's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: 25.0 #4
Alabama's Offense SP+ Rating: 37.9 #6
Alabama's Defense SP+ Rating: 14.6 #8

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 482
Average Power Five Talent: 482
Average FBS Talent: 482

Western Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 24.9 PPG
Offense on Road: 24.9
Defense: 24.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 33.9

Western Kentucky's 2024 Record
Record: 8 - 6
Record vs Spread: 7 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 8
Record on Road: 3 - 4
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 4 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 4 - 4 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 2 - 3 - 0

Projected Score
Alabama 44
Western Kentucky 15

Total Points: 59

Based on Last 4 Games
Alabama 39
Western Kentucky 23

Total Points: 61

Based on Entire Season
Alabama 33
Western Kentucky 20

Total Points: 53

Alabama Scoring
Offense: 33.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 41
Defense: 17.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 13.7

Alabama's 2024 Record
Record: 9 - 4
Record vs Spread: 7 - 6 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 7
Record at home: 7 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 5 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 6 - 6 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 4 - 2 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2024	08/31	Alabama	63	Western Kentucky	0	Alabama -31	Alabama	60.0	Over
2016	09/10	Alabama	38	Western Kentucky	10	Alabama -24	Alabama	59.0	Under
2012	09/08	Alabama	35	Western Kentucky	0
2008	09/13	Alabama	41	Western Kentucky	7

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Alabama	4	2	1 Overs
Western Kentucky	0	0	1 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	4 - 0	2 - 0	2 - 0	0 - 0
Road Teams	0 - 4	0 - 2	0 - 0	0 - 2

(#92) WKU at (#9) ALA

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	WKU	ALA
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#92	#9
SP+SP+	#78	#4
Perf GradeGrade	#64	#12
OffenseOff	#60	#24
DefenseDef	#81	#9
Spec TeamsST	#79	#58
TalentTal	#1	#1
Blue ChipsBC%	#82	#1

Western Kentucky Notes(12/18) Zero Rgame/OL bad in bowl. QB Vetkamp great
(12/2) Veltkamp good in Jax St upset, great 3rd down D
(11/25) 2 str L's as R Def mauled by Lib. Likely out race
(11/18) Shocking L to La Tech, Off esp Rgame awful
(11/18) Def all. 209 yds, 4.3 ypc to La Tech? 2-11 on 3rd
(11/1) Beating CUSA teams by 3 TD's, 20 ppg margin Oct
(10/16) Even w/ SHSU until backup QB. Vetlkamp great W
(10/10) Def #'s skewed by Bama game. Not great but Avg
(10/4) QB Veltkamp has WR options, Rgame v bad so far
(9/28) Outgained/played BC. 3 TOs killer. Veltkamp OK
(9/23) Big W over Tol. 3-12 on 3rd but forced 4 TOs
(8/3) TO luck big LY, regression? Off Great, D Awful
Western Kentucky Injury Report

Alabama Injury Report

Western Kentucky on Offense

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat	WKU Off	ALA Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#60	#9
SuccessSuc	#83	#12
ExplosiveExp	#33	#47
PPAPPA	#66	#8
PowerPwr	#71	#20
SP+SP+	#101	#8
Pts POPPO	#78	#5
HavocHav	#73	#41

Western Kentucky Run Game

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat	WKU Off	ALA Def
Run GameRun	#114	#8
Run SuccessRSuc	#117	#15
Run ExplRExp	#75	#19
PPAExp	#121	#8
Run BlockR Blk	#82	-
OL YdsOLY	#108	#38
Stuff RateStuff	#103	#53
TackleTak	-	#5

Western Kentucky Pass Game

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat	WKU Off	ALA Def
Pass GamePass	#26	#10
Pass SuccessPSuc	#33	#19
Pass ExplPExl	#59	#86
PPAExp	#28	#22
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	#5	#49
F7 HavocF7	#87	#61
DB HavocDB	#56	#15

Alabama on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat	ALA Off	WKU Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#24	#81
SuccessSuc	#34	#102
ExplosiveExp	#34	#36
PPAPPA	#44	#95
PowerPwr	#33	#86
SP+SP+	#6	#62
Pts POPPO	#8	#54
HavocHav	#63	#122

Alabama Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat	ALA Off	WKU Def
Run GameRun	#14	#98
Run SuccessRSuc	#52	#113
Run ExplRExp	#12	#35
PPAExp	#28	#103
Run BlockR Blk	#74	-
OL YdsOLY	#112	#116
Stuff RateStuff	#121	#128
TackleTak	-	#6

Alabama Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat	ALA Off	WKU Def
Pass GamePass	#21	#90
Pass SuccessPSuc	#31	#60
Pass ExplPExl	#78	#128
PPAExp	#59	#99
Pass Block/RushP Blk	#66	#42
F7 HavocF7	#102	#88
DB HavocDB	#20	#132

Program Comparison
ALA 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFB Elites
'24 Profile: Remains CFB Elites

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Bryant Denny Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 99°

Rematch from Week 1
Alabama -31.0 (60.0)
Alabama won vs Western Kentucky this year (63-0)

Previous Matchups
Alabama beat Western Kentucky last year (63-0)

WKU's OC Will Friend (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Caden Veltkamp	258	389	66%	3108	25	10	8.0
TJ Finley (Tr)	48	75	64%	490	1	2	6.5

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Elijah Young	201	883	3	4.4	30
George Hart III (Tr)	44	204	2	4.6	30
Caden Veltkamp	113	150	7	1.3	25
LT Sanders	21	103	1	4.9	31

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Kisean Johnson (Tr)	75	925	7	12.3	51
Easton Messer	55	793	4	14.4	64
Dalvin Smith	30	397	4	13.2	65
K.D. Hutchinson	26	392	3	15.1	74

View Western Kentucky's Full Roster

WKU's DC Tyson Summers (been DC for 3 years)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Devonte' Mathews (Tr)	99	2	0	0	0
Keyshawn Swanson (Tr)	63	2	0	0	2
Hosea Wheeler	62	4	2	2	0
Chandler Matthews (Tr)	59	3	0	3	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Darius Thomas	54	7	4	3	0
Sebastian Benjamin	56	6	4	5	0
Kylan Guidry	45	7	3	0	1
Kent Robinson (Tr)	33	4	2	0	4

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Anthony Johnson Jr.	48	5	0	1	6
Kent Robinson (Tr)	33	4	2	0	4
Keyshawn Swanson (Tr)	63	2	0	0	2

ALA's OC Nick Sheridan (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Jalen Milroe	205	319	64%	2844	16	11	8.9
Ty Simpson	14	25	56%	167	0	0	6.7

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Jalen Milroe	168	726	20	4.3	72
Jamarion Miller	145	668	7	4.6	56
Justice Haynes	79	448	7	5.7	85
Richard Young	27	146	2	5.4	62

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Ryan Williams	48	865	8	18.0	84
Germie Bernard (Tr)	50	794	2	15.9	47
C.J. Dippre	21	256	0	12.2	46
Josh Cuevas (Tr)	16	218	1	13.6	43

View Alabama's Full Roster

ALA's DC Kane Wommack (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jihaad Campbell	119	12	5	3	2
Deontae Lawson	76	6	2	0	4
Malachi Moore	70	3	1	3	8
Justin Jefferson	61	7	2	0	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jihaad Campbell	119	12	5	3	2
Quandarrius Robinson	23	7	4	5	0
Tim Keenan III	40	8	3	2	1
Tim Smith	35	4	2	5	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Malachi Moore	70	3	1	3	8
Domani Jackson (Tr)	51	2	0	1	7
DeVonta Smith	30	1	0	1	5