Western Kentucky at Alabama - 2024 Matchup Preview

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Alabama Crimson Tide

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)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Temp: 99.1° (34% Hum)
Our Line: Alabama -29.5 (SP+ ALA -27)
Projected Score: WKU: 14 - ALA: 43 (50)
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)
'25 Opponents: (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 (2023)

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	#47 (.22)	40% (92)	24.9	38% (119)	3.07 (78)	107	41% (70)	295	4.95 (6)	#81 (.2)	44% (98)	24.6	48% (121)	41% (53)	4 (87)	36.8	1.8	1.8
ALA	#20 (.29)	45% (39)	33.8	45% (43)	3.23 (45)	160	45% (34)	212	4.59 (17)	#26 (.11)	36% (12)	17.4	38% (28)	34% (6)	3.86 (73)	45.7	0.7	1.3

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
ALA		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2023

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	13	24.9	24.9	40%	4.95	1.8	20	402	107	295	3.9	38%	61%	38%	41%	16%	.22
ALA Defense	14	17.4	13.7	35.8%	3.86	1.3	-	-	-	-	-	48%	52%	38%	34%	19%	.11

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	13	24.6	33.9	44%	4	1.8	-	-	-	-	-	52%	47%	48%	41%	14%	.2
ALA Offense	14	33.8	41	45%	4.59	0.7	19	373	160	212	4.3	57%	43%	45%	45%	15%	.29

Additional Stats 2023

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	13	29:32	20.2	43%	62%	4.5	36.8	1.8	1.8	4.4	2	1	28.2
Alabama	14	28:25	18.6	47%	83%	5.4	45.7	0.7	1.3	5.9	2.8	2	30.6

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	13	38% (128)	38% (119)	27.5	106.6	3.9	12 (116)	.06 (117)	3.07 (78)	76% (45)	8% (23)	0.93 (99)
ALA Defense	14	48% (40)	38% (28)	-	-	-	-	.15 (71)	3.13 (74)	67% (36)	12% (21)	1.12 (114)

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	13	52% (94)	48% (121)	-	-	-	-	.19 (98)	3.47 (125)	73% (65)	9% (109)	0.96 (45)
ALA Offense	14	57% (18)	45% (43)	37	160.4	4.3	30 (21)	.21 (39)	3.23 (45)	81% (13)	11% (91)	0.98 (79)

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	13	61% (6)	41% (70)	26.4	41.5	295.2	7.1	11.2	38 (3)	14 (107)	.35 (42)	1.7 (29)	33% (90)	31% (69)	.39 (46)	9% (128)	2.4 (4)
ALA Defense	14	52% (98)	34% (6)	-	-	-	-	-	-	12 (37)	.11 (9)	1.5 (42)	35% (29)	26% (18)	.23 (25)	7% (37)	2.1 (71)

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	13	47% (37)	41% (53)	-	-	-	-	-	-	15 (15)	.27 (64)	1.6 (69)	31% (80)	32% (99)	.37 (97)	6% (81)	1.9 (26)
ALA Offense	14	43% (115)	45% (34)	13.7	21.6	212.1	9.8	15.5	23 (51)	6 (14)	.44 (20)	1.9 (8)	31% (50)	34% (39)	.55 (11)	4% (6)	2.6 (1)

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: 406.00 #116
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 378
Average Power Five Talent: 806.09
Average FBS Talent: 638.99

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: 1078.00 #3
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 901
Average Power Five Talent: 806.09
Average FBS Talent: 638.99

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
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 43
Western Kentucky 14

Projected Total Points: 50

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

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) Western Kentucky Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: -8.09 #92
Offense Rating: 19.32 #71
Defense Rating: 11.86 #86
Overall SP+ Rating: -2.2 #78
Offense SP+ Rating: 22.1 #101
Defense SP+ Rating: 26.1 #62
Talent Rating: 406.00 #116
Blue Chip Ratio: 2% #82
Expected Record: 8.0 - 6.0

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 45%
Bad Offense Success Rate of 42%
Avg Offensive Explosiveness
Bad in Scoring Position 3.83 PPO
Awful Run Success 38%
Good Pass Success 45%
Avg OL Grades, Poor OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Bad Sacks/Turnovers
Poor Defense Success Rate of 45%
Avg in Scoring Position 3.66 PPO
Awful Run Def Success 48%
Avg Pass Def Success 40%
Awful Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position

Western Kentucky Notes
(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

Western Kentucky Ratings Matchup Alabama

Power #92

Off #71

#33

Def #86

#20

Talent #116

SP+ #78

SP+ Off #101

SP+ Def #62

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)

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

Team Information
Injuries: WKU | ALA
Depth Chart: WKU | ALA
Rosters: WKU | ALA

(#9) Alabama Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 24.435 #9
Offense Rating: 23.39 #33
Defense Rating: 4.21 #20
Overall SP+ Rating: 25.0 #4
Offense SP+ Rating: 37.9 #6
Defense SP+ Rating: 14.6 #8
Talent Rating: 1078.00 #3
Blue Chip Ratio: 82 #1
Expected Record: 9.0 - 4.0

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
Good Offense Success Rate of 45%
Avg Offensive Explosiveness
Great in Scoring Position 4.71 PPO
Avg Run Success 45%
Good Pass Success 45%
Avg OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Great DL Grades, Avg Sacks/Turnovers
Great Defense Success Rate of 37%
Great in Scoring Position 2.85 PPO
Great Run Def Success 38%
Great Pass Def Success 37%
Good Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position

Western Kentucky's OC Will Friend

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
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
Jalen Hampton (Tr)	11	57	0	5.2	14

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Kisean Johnson (Tr)	75	925	7	12.3	51
Easton Messer	55	793	4	14.4	64
K.D. Hutchinson	26	392	3	15.1	74
River Helms	19	228	2	12.0	33

View Western Kentucky's Full Roster

Western Kentucky's DC Tyson Summers

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
Kylan Guidry	45	7	3	0	1
Hosea Wheeler	62	4	2	2	0
Deante McCray	55	3	2	2	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Anthony Johnson Jr.	48	5	0	1	6
Kent Robinson (Tr)	33	4	2	0	4
Zach Edwards (Tr)	11	2	1	2	2

Alabama's OC Nick Sheridan

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Ty Simpson	14	25	56%	167	0	0	6.7
Dylan Lonergan	5	6	83%	23	0	0	3.8

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Jamarion Miller	145	668	7	4.6	56
Justice Haynes	79	448	7	5.7	85
Richard Young	27	146	2	5.4	62
Daniel Hill	21	61	1	2.9	11

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Ryan Williams	48	865	8	18.0	84
Germie Bernard (Tr)	50	794	2	15.9	47
Josh Cuevas (Tr)	16	218	1	13.6	43
Jamarion Miller	16	155	1	9.7	25

View Alabama's Full Roster

Alabama's DC Kane Wommack

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Deontae Lawson	76	6	2	0	4
Justin Jefferson	61	7	2	0	1
Brayson Hubbard	57	1	0	0	2
Domani Jackson (Tr)	51	2	0	1	7

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Quandarrius Robinson	23	7	4	5	0
Tim Keenan III	40	8	3	2	1
Deontae Lawson	76	6	2	0	4
Lebbeus Overton	42	3	2	9	1

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Domani Jackson (Tr)	51	2	0	1	7
DeVonta Smith	30	1	0	1	5
Deontae Lawson	76	6	2	0	4