Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State - 2025 Matchup Preview
Western Kentucky logo Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Jacksonville State GamecocksJacksonville State logo
Saturday, November 29th 2025 (12:00 AM EST)
JSU Stadium - Jacksonville, AL  (Conference USA)

 
Hilltoppers (2 - 1) (2 - 1 - 0)
Coach Tyson Helton (48 - 31)
Avg Score : 39 - 25 (21 - 45 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8 - 4 (#41)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 8)
WKU 2nd straight Road Game
JVST is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Western Kentucky -7   (SP+ WKU -6)

Projected Score: WKU: 34 - JVST: 27 (61)
WKU Win prob: 70% | Cover: 49%
WKU Travel: 222 miles
Gamecocks (1 - 2) (2 - 1 - 0)
Coach Charles Kelly (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 26 - 27 (34 - 24 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5.4 - 6.6 (#90)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 9)
 
Western Kentucky's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/23 Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston-9.560.5W 41 - 24OY
Sat 8/30 Western Kentucky vs North Alabama-27.560.5W 55 - 6OY
Sat 9/6 Western Kentucky at Toledo+8.557.5L 21 - 45ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20 Western Kentucky vs Nevada-10.554.5
Sat 9/27 Western Kentucky at Missouri State-12
Fri 10/3 Western Kentucky at Delaware-2
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/14 Western Kentucky vs Florida International-6.5
Tue 10/21 Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech-1
Sat 11/1 Western Kentucky vs New Mexico State-13
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Western Kentucky vs Middle Tennessee-20.5
Sat 11/22 Western Kentucky at LSU+29.5
Sat 11/29 Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State-7

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 7
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 5
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Western Kentucky's Schedule
Jacksonville State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/28 Jacksonville State at UCF+16.553.5L 10 - 17UY
Sat 9/6 Jacksonville State vs Liberty+6.050.5W 34 - 24OY
Sat 9/13 Jacksonville State at Georgia Southern+3.059.0L 34 - 41ON
Sat 9/20 Jacksonville State vs Murray State-10.5
Sat 9/27 Jacksonville State at Southern Miss+11
BYE WEEK
Thu 10/9 Jacksonville State at Sam Houston-3
Wed 10/15 Jacksonville State vs Delaware+2
BYE WEEK
Wed 10/29 Jacksonville State at Middle Tennessee-6.5
Sat 11/8 Jacksonville State at UTEP+8.5
Sat 11/15 Jacksonville State vs Kennesaw State-8.5
Sat 11/22 Jacksonville State vs Florida International+8
Sat 11/29 Jacksonville State vs Western Kentucky+7

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 5, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 4, Poor 5
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1

Predictions for Jacksonville State's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WKU#80 (.16)42% (83)3937% (112)2.71 (96)11045% (59)3585 (32)#91 (.18)35% (37)2539% (67)32% (30)3.08 (53)641.31
JVST#83 (.16)40% (97)2645% (61)3.17 (46)24130% (129)1304 (67)#119 (.29)42% (84)27.341% (84)43% (95)2.22 (20)28.30.71.3
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WKU#66 (.19)42% (83)38% (117)2.78 (108)11045% (33)2653.83 (78)#95 (.21)45% (102)48% (113)40% (60)3.66 (54)41.31.71.5
JVST#22 (.27)45% (35)49% (18)3.36 (17)25440% (95)1894.85 (3)#55 (.14)43% (84)44% (79)43% (85)3.81 (70)58.41.11.6



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WKU Offense3392142.1%51.3234681103583.534%66%37%45%12%.16
JVST Defense327.32442.3%2.221.3 - - - - - 51%49%41%43%17%.29
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WKU Defense3254535.2%3.081 - - - - - 51%49%39%32%17%.18
JVST Offense3263440%40.7193702411305.666%34%45%30%11%.16

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Western Kentucky329:5423.349%20%6641.315.71.3029.5
Jacksonville State329:3919.342%67%3.728.30.71.342029
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WKU Offense334% (136)37% (112)31.7109.73.54 (79)-.16 (131)2.71 (96)60% (103)7% (44)0.8 (107)
JVST Defense351% (82)41% (84) - - - - .08 (74)2.67 (56)75% (80)11% (52)1.26 (120)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WKU Defense351% (77)39% (67) - - - - .19 (108)3.03 (94)71% (72)10% (76)1.27 (121)
JVST Offense366% (7)45% (61)43240.75.68 (26).28 (34)3.17 (46)64% (99)5% (14)1.36 (14)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WKU Offense366% (1)45% (59)29433588.312.311 (5)1 (23).32 (63)1.7 (28)34% (105)37% (35).1 (117)5% (63)1.7 (108)
JVST Defense349% (64)43% (95) - - - - - - 1 (87).52 (124)2 (131)33% (71)38% (121).63 (125)6% (70)2.2 (105)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WKU Defense349% (58)32% (30) - - - - - - 2 (56).19 (61)1.6 (77)37% (28)15% (12)-.01 (20)7% (44)1.8 (51)
JVST Offense334% (130)30% (129)1322.3129.75.8101 (123)2 (60)-.08 (131)1.2 (119)32% (91)29% (90).23 (96)5% (76)1.8 (97)

Western Kentucky's Power Ratings
Western Kentucky's Power Rating: -5.06 #91
Western Kentucky's Offense Rating: 7.41 #91
Western Kentucky's Defense Rating: 12.47 #93
2025 Talent Rating: 620.00 #89
Blue Chip Ratio: 1% #88
Western Kentucky's 2025 Expected Record: 8.0 - 4.0
Western Kentucky's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -2.5 #77
Western Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.1 #84
Western Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.2 #81

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 457.83
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: -5.06   Jacksonville State: -10.625

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: -2.5   Jacksonville State: -8.6




Jacksonville State's Power Ratings
Jacksonville State's Power Rating: -10.625 #122
Jacksonville State's Offense Rating: 2.27 #119
Jacksonville State's Defense Rating: 19.92 #120
2025 Talent Rating: 386.00 #128
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #101
Jacksonville State's 2025 Expected Record: 5.4 - 6.6
Jacksonville State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -8.6 #93
Jacksonville State's Offense SP+ Rating: 23.9 #92
Jacksonville State's Defense SP+ Rating: 32.1 #98

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 457.83
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85


Western Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 39 PPG
Offense on Road: 21
Defense: 25 PPG
Defense on Road: 45

Western Kentucky's 2025 Record
Record: 2 - 1
Record vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 1
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Western Kentucky 34
Jacksonville State 27


Total Points: 61

Jacksonville State Scoring
Offense: 26 PPG
Offense at Home: 34
Defense: 27.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 24

Jacksonville State's 2025 Record
Record: 1 - 2
Record vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record at home: 1 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 1 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/30Western Kentucky19Jacksonville State17Western KentuckyJacksonville State -0.5Western Kentucky62.5Under
202412/06Jacksonville State52Western Kentucky12Jacksonville StateJacksonville State -4.5Jacksonville State58.5Over
202310/17Jacksonville State20Western Kentucky17Jacksonville StateWestern Kentucky -7.5Jacksonville State60.5Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Jacksonville State221 Overs
Western Kentucky112 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams3 - 03 - 01 - 02 - 0
Road Teams0 - 30 - 30 - 20 - 1

(#91) Western Kentucky Info
Power Rating: -5.06 #91
Offense Rating: 7.41 #91
Defense Rating: 12.47 #93
Overall SP+ Rating: -2.5 #77
Offense SP+ Rating: 25.1 #84
Defense SP+ Rating: 28.2 #81
Talent Rating: 620.00 #89
Blue Chip Ratio: 1% #88
Expected Record: 8.0 - 4.0

Team Profile
Very Pass heavy Offense 66%, Run: 34%
Bad Offense Success Rate of 42%
Bad Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 5 PPO
Awful Run Success 37%
Avg Pass Success 45%
Bad OL Grades, Poor OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Bad Sacks/Turnovers
Good Defense Success Rate of 35%
Avg in Scoring Position 3.08 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 39%
Good Pass Def Success 32%
Avg Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position

Western Kentucky has lost 9 straight
Western Kentucky has lost 5 straight on the Road
Record on Road: 0 - 1 (0 - 1 - 0 vs Spread )

Western Kentucky Notes
(8/2) Over Bet Watch, McIvor off great, Def rough
(7/25) Def portal adds include 11 DL, 3 LB, 8 DBs.
(7/25) WR complete rebuild. Took 7 portals + 2 TEs
(7/25) OL rebuild. 10 portal adds. Will take some time
(7/11) Portal hits big, 2 starters back. 46 portals signed
(7/11) QB McIvor (3k yds/30 TD) combo w/ OC McIvor
(5/2) WR Henry (FCS W Ill) 1,179 yds, 6 TD LY
(3/22) Def avg CUSA, but must rebuild most
(3/22) Almost 60% new roster, new OC/DC.
(3/22) New OC Bowie (Alb. Chr.) brought QB McIvor

Western Kentucky Highlights
Western Kentucky offense is explosive (#19)
Western Kentucky offense is good on 3rd downs
Western Kentucky has a good pass defense (#30)

Western Kentucky Deficiencies
Western Kentucky Fumbles a Lot (#113)
Western Kentucky Can Not Run the Ball (#117)
Western Kentucky Runs Get Stuffed a Lot (#114)
Western Kentucky run game is really bad (#112)
Western Kentucky gives up a Lot of Explosive Plays (#105)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatJVSTWKU
OverallOver#77#47
OffenseOff#65#60
DefenseDef#91#67
Special TeamsST#58#4
PassingPass#67#44
RushingRush#42#64
Run BlockRBLK#31#109
Pass BlockPBLK#78#73
Route RunningWR Rt#102#23
TacklingTkl#63#94
Run DefenseR Def#92#91
Pass Rush DefPRush#46#22
Coverage DefCov#101#57

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
(#122) Jacksonville State Info
Power Rating: -10.625 #122
Offense Rating: 2.27 #119
Defense Rating: 19.92 #120
Overall SP+ Rating: -8.6 #93
Offense SP+ Rating: 23.9 #92
Defense SP+ Rating: 32.1 #98
Talent Rating: 386.00 #128
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #101
Expected Record: 5.4 - 6.6

Team Profile
Option Offense 66%, Pass: 34%
Poor Offense Success Rate of 40%
Poor Offensive Explosiveness
Bad in Scoring Position 4 PPO
Avg Run Success 45%
Awful Pass Success 30%
Avg OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Avg Sacks/Turnovers
Bad Defense Success Rate of 42%
Great in Scoring Position 2.22 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 41%
Poor Pass Def Success 43%
Avg Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position

Jacksonville State has lost 9 straight
Jacksonville State has lost 3 straight at Home
Record at home: 1 - 0 (1 - 0 - 0 vs Spread)

Jacksonville State Notes
(8/29) QB Wimsatt awful vs UCF, Pass Def really bad
(8/1) This looks like a truly bad season coming
(7/11) Kelly has years of SEC exp. OC Trickett meh
(7/11) Transition year for CUSA champs, rough one
(7/11) Why Pass Heavy Off now? Had good thing
(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

Jacksonville State Highlights
Jacksonville State is Undefeated at Home
Jacksonville State is Undefeated vs Spread at Home
Jacksonville State is Undefeated vs Spread as Home Underdogs

Jacksonville State has Really Good Running Game (#12)
Jacksonville State defense is really good in red zone (#20)
Jacksonville State has a great TO Margin (#28)
Jacksonville State commits very few Penalties (#16)

Jacksonville State Deficiencies
Jacksonville State pass game is really bad (#129)
Jacksonville State gives up a Lot of Explosive Plays (#134)


  
Western Kentucky's OC Rick Bowie
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Maverick McIvor (Tr)8012067%9411017.8
Rodney Tisdale Jr.6875%941011.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Marvis Parrish239304.022
Jaden McGill (Tr)166313.915
George Hart III175913.512
La'Vell Wright (Tr)113913.512
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Moussa Barry11210019.148
Matthew Henry (Tr)11198318.055
K.D. Hutchinson12184315.378
Marvis Parrish1410017.122

View Western Kentucky's Full Roster
Western Kentucky's DC DaVon Brown
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dave Herard140000
Jaylen Lewis (Tr)130001
Jaylen Wester (Tr)131010
Dylan Flowers101001
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Harper Holloman73103
Dominic Oliver (Tr)102100
Jayden Gray (Tr)72120
Jaden Hardy (Tr)102100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Harper Holloman73103
Al-Ma'Hi Ali (Tr)80002
Lataj Wright00001

Jacksonville State's OC Clint Trickett
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Gavin Wimsatt (Tr)376557%369125.7
Cade Backe11100%2002.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Cam Cook (Tr)6739025.831
Gavin Wimsatt (Tr)3516534.744
Andrew Paul139227.142
Caden Creel53006.014
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Brock Rechsteiner8102112.856
Caleb Coombs (Tr)108508.516
Deondre Johnson (Tr)465016.326
Pearson Baldwin65609.332

View Jacksonville State's Full Roster
Jacksonville State's DC Brian Williams
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Trevor Woods (Tr)210000
Travis Franklin Jr.130001
Walker O'Steen131000
Tyrin Taylor (Tr)120000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Emmanuel Oybadejo102220
Gharin Stansbury41101
Tae Floyd11100
Chase Alexander52100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Caleb Nix (Tr)100002
Corbet Mims00001
Gharin Stansbury41101