Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State Game Matchup

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Jacksonville State Gamecocks

Saturday, November 29th 2025 (12:00 AM EST)
JSU Stadium - Jacksonville, AL (Conference USA)

Hilltoppers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Tyson Helton (48 - 31)
Avg Score : 25 - 25 (25 - 34 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7 - 5 (#51)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 10)

WKU 2nd straight Road Game
JVST is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Western Kentucky -5 (SP+ WKU -4.5)
Projected Score: WKU: 32 - JVST: 27 (56)
WKU Win prob: 63% | Cover: 48%
WKU Travel: 222 miles

Gamecocks (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Charles Kelly (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 36 - 26 (39 - 21 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 4.1 - 7.9 (#116)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 10)

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

Western Kentucky's 2025 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Fri 8/22	Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston	-7.5	0.0
Fri 8/29	Western Kentucky vs North Alabama	-11.5
Sat 9/6	Western Kentucky at Toledo	+13
	BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20	Western Kentucky vs Nevada	-8
Sat 9/27	Western Kentucky at Missouri State	-4
Fri 10/3	Western Kentucky at Delaware	-2.5
	BYE WEEK
Tue 10/14	Western Kentucky vs Florida International	-5.5
Tue 10/21	Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech	-2
Sat 11/1	Western Kentucky vs New Mexico State	-9.5
	BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15	Western Kentucky vs Middle Tennessee	-8.5
Sat 11/22	Western Kentucky at LSU	+40
Sat 11/29	Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State	-5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 10
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 10
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Western Kentucky's Schedule

Jacksonville State's 2025 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Wed 8/27	Jacksonville State at UCF	+16.5	0.0
Sat 9/6	Jacksonville State vs Liberty	+16.5
Sat 9/13	Jacksonville State at Georgia Southern	+18
Sat 9/20	Jacksonville State vs Murray State	-4.5
Sat 9/27	Jacksonville State at Southern Miss	+13
	BYE WEEK
Thu 10/9	Jacksonville State at Sam Houston	+4.5
Wed 10/15	Jacksonville State vs Delaware	-0
	BYE WEEK
Wed 10/29	Jacksonville State at Middle Tennessee	+4
Sat 11/8	Jacksonville State at UTEP	+7.5
Sat 11/15	Jacksonville State vs Kennesaw State	-4
Sat 11/22	Jacksonville State vs Florida International	+6.5
Sat 11/29	Jacksonville State vs Western Kentucky	+5

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 8
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 8
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Jacksonville State's Schedule

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
JVST	#22 (.27)	45% (35)	36	49% (18)	3.36 (17)	254	40% (95)	189	4.85 (3)	#55 (.14)	43% (84)	26.1	44% (79)	43% (85)	3.81 (70)	58.4	1.1	1.6

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
JVST		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

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
JVST Defense	14	26.1	21.3	43.2%	3.81	1.6	-	-	-	-	-	54%	46%	44%	43%	16%	.14

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
JVST Offense	14	36	39.1	45.2%	4.85	1.1	23	443	254	189	5.5	64%	36%	49%	40%	11%	.27

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
Jacksonville State	14	26:57	22.6	41%	54%	6	58.4	1.1	1.6	5.6	1.7	1	28.5

Run Game Stats (2025)

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)
JVST Defense	14	54% (108)	44% (79)	-	-	-	-	.09 (52)	3.01 (72)	63% (20)	10% (59)	0.88 (22)

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)
JVST Offense	14	64% (4)	49% (18)	45.9	253.6	5.5	51 (1)	.25 (15)	3.36 (17)	67% (107)	8% (23)	1.07 (32)

Pass Game Stats (2025)

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)
JVST Defense	14	46% (27)	43% (85)	-	-	-	-	-	-	12 (39)	.21 (55)	1.5 (56)	30% (102)	33% (105)	.36 (92)	6% (63)	2 (45)

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)
JVST Offense	14	36% (131)	40% (95)	13.4	22.3	189.4	8.5	14.1	14 (108)	7 (26)	.33 (35)	1.9 (5)	27% (10)	32% (65)	.33 (72)	3% (8)	2.1 (51)

Western Kentucky's Power Ratings
Western Kentucky's Power Rating: -17.79 #116
Western Kentucky's Offense Rating: 5.91 #119
Western Kentucky's Defense Rating: 23.70 #114
2025 Talent Rating: 504.00 #105
Blue Chip Ratio: 1% #82
Western Kentucky's 2025 Expected Record: 7.0 - 5.0
Western Kentucky's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -5.8 #85
Western Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 22.4 #102
Western Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.2 #68

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 385.5
Average Power Five Talent: 861.13
Average FBS Talent: 684.29

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: -17.79 Jacksonville State: -16.575

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: -5.8 Jacksonville State: -10.4

Jacksonville State's Power Ratings
Jacksonville State's Power Rating: -16.575 #136
Jacksonville State's Offense Rating: 2.13 #129
Jacksonville State's Defense Rating: 29.88 #134
2025 Talent Rating: 330.00 #128
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #99
Jacksonville State's 2025 Expected Record: 4.1 - 7.9
Jacksonville State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -10.4 #104
Jacksonville State's Offense SP+ Rating: 22.0 #105
Jacksonville State's Defense SP+ Rating: 32.4 #99

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 385.5
Average Power Five Talent: 861.13
Average FBS Talent: 684.29

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

Western Kentucky's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0

Projected Score
Western Kentucky 32
Jacksonville State 27

Projected Total Points: 56

Jacksonville State Scoring
Offense: 36 PPG
Offense at Home: 39.1
Defense: 26.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 21.3

Jacksonville State's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Winner	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2024	11/30	Western Kentucky	19	Jacksonville State	17	Western Kentucky	Jacksonville State -0.5	Western Kentucky	62.5	Under
2024	12/06	Jacksonville State	52	Western Kentucky	12	Jacksonville State	Jacksonville State -4.5	Jacksonville State	58.5	Over
2023	10/17	Jacksonville State	20	Western Kentucky	17	Jacksonville State	Western Kentucky -7.5	Jacksonville State	60.5	Under

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Jacksonville State	2	2	1 Overs
Western Kentucky	1	1	2 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	3 - 0	3 - 0	1 - 0	2 - 0
Road Teams	0 - 3	0 - 3	0 - 2	0 - 1

(#116) Western Kentucky Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: -17.79 #116
Offense Rating: 5.91 #119
Defense Rating: 23.70 #114
Overall SP+ Rating: -5.8 #85
Offense SP+ Rating: 22.4 #102
Defense SP+ Rating: 28.2 #68
Talent Rating: 504.00 #105
Blue Chip Ratio: 1% #82
Expected Record: 7.0 - 5.0

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
(5/2) WR Henry (FCS W Ill) 1,179 yds, 6 TD LY
(3/22) Def avg CUSA, but must rebuild most
(3/22) Def portals 7 DL, 1 LB, 5 DBs.
(3/22) Almost 60% new roster, new OC/DC.
(3/22) New OC Bowie (Alb. Chr.) brought QB McIvor
(3/22) QB McIvor (3k yds/30 TD) a big find for '25
(3/22) RB rebuild. Hart has exp, Hampton some
(3/22) WR complete rebuild. Took 5 portals + 2 TEs
(3/22) OL rebuild. 5 portal adds. Very ?

Western Kentucky Ratings Matchup Jacksonville State

Power #116

#136

Off #119

#129

Def #114

#134

Talent #105

#128

SP+ #85

#104

SP+ Off #102

#105

SP+ Def #68

#99

Previous Matchups
Jacksonville State beat Western Kentucky last year (52-12)
Jacksonville State beat Western Kentucky in 2023 (20-17)

Weather Forecast
Playing in JSU Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

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

(#136) Jacksonville State Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: -16.575 #136
Offense Rating: 2.13 #129
Defense Rating: 29.88 #134
Overall SP+ Rating: -10.4 #104
Offense SP+ Rating: 22.0 #105
Defense SP+ Rating: 32.4 #99
Talent Rating: 330.00 #128
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #99
Expected Record: 4.1 - 7.9

Team Profile
Very Run heavy Offense 64%, Pass: 36%
Good Offense Success Rate of 45%
Great Offensive Explosiveness
Great in Scoring Position 4.85 PPO
Great Run Success 49%
Poor Pass Success 40%
Avg OL Grades, Great OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Avg Sacks/Turnovers
Bad Defense Success Rate of 43%
Bad in Scoring Position 3.81 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 44%
Bad Pass Def Success 43%
Avg Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position

Jacksonville State Notes
(5/11) #2 least exp'd OL & no exp'd portal adds
(4/17) RB Cook (TCU) had a great spring, likely RB1
(3/24) RB complete rebuild. Cook (TCU)/Paul (UGA)
(3/24) WR return some good prod, 1 portal
(3/24) OL 3/5 back, good LY. No portal adds
(3/24) Def bad LY, shootouts. Least exp'd D in CFB
(3/24) Kelly has years of SEC exp. Good hire
(3/24) CUSA champs likely in for a transition year
(3/24) QB Wimsatt (UK) better improve or not start

Western Kentucky's OC Rick Bowie

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Maverick McIvor (Tr)	312	496	63%	3847	30	7	7.8

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
George Hart III	44	204	2	4.6	30
Jalen Hampton	11	57	0	5.2	14
K.D. Hutchinson	8	51	0	6.4	42
John Cannon (Tr)	1	17	0	17.0	17

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Jairus Mack (Tr)	19	418	0	22.0	59
K.D. Hutchinson	26	392	3	15.1	74
Isaiah Myers (Tr)	13	237	3	18.2	37
Noah Meyers	7	123	1	17.6	24

View Western Kentucky's Full Roster

Western Kentucky's DC DaVon Brown

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PD
Jaylen Lewis (Tr)	43	2	0	5
Demarko Williams	37	2	0	1
Kent Robinson	33	4	2	4
Braxton Myers (Tr)	31	2	0	2

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Kent Robinson	33	4	2	0	4
Jayden Gray (Tr)	14	3	2	1	1
Dominic Oliver (Tr)	15	2	1	1	0
Jaylen Lewis (Tr)	43	2	0	0	5

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PD
Jaylen Lewis (Tr)	43	2	0	5
Kent Robinson	33	4	2	4
Braxton Myers (Tr)	31	2	0	2

Jacksonville State's OC Clint Trickett

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Gavin Wimsatt (Tr)	16	39	41%	287	3	4	7.4

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Cam Cook (Tr)	119	460	9	3.9	19
Gavin Wimsatt (Tr)	49	183	2	3.7	24
Andrew Paul	38	166	4	4.4	28
Michael Pettway	5	17	0	3.4	7

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Michael Pettway	25	454	3	18.2	92
Brock Rechsteiner	16	241	2	15.1	85
Caleb Coombs (Tr)	8	123	0	15.4	27
Cam Cook (Tr)	18	75	0	4.2	12

View Jacksonville State's Full Roster

Jacksonville State's DC Brian Williams

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jawaun Campbell	47	8	2	1	2
Patrick Taylor	34	0	0	0	0
Talan Carter	26	3	1	0	0
Darrell Prater	25	2	0	0	0

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jawaun Campbell	47	8	2	1	2
Talan Carter	26	3	1	0	0
Travis Franklin Jr.	19	1	1	0	1
Shane Payton Hodges	4	1	1	0	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jawaun Campbell	47	8	2	1	2
Gharin Stansbury	21	2	0	1	1
Travis Franklin Jr.	19	1	1	0	1