Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State - 2025 Matchup Preview
Western Kentucky logo   Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Jacksonville State Gamecocks  Jacksonville State logo
Saturday, November 29th 2025 (2:00 PM EST)
Western Kentucky -1.5 (56.5) (-135)  Open: -2.5 | 54.5
Jacksonville State 37 - Western Kentucky: 34  (Conference USA)

 
Hilltoppers (9 - 4) (10 - 3 - 0)
Coach Tyson Helton (48 - 31)
Avg Score : 30 - 23 (25 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.7 - 4.3 (#36)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
WKU 2nd straight Road Game
JVST is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Western Kentucky -7  (SP+ WKU -8.5)

Projected Score: WKU: 31 - JVST: 24 (55)
WKU Win prob: 50% | Cover: 47%
WKU Travel: 222 miles
Gamecocks (9 - 5) (7 - 7 - 0)
Coach Charles Kelly (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 28 - 25 (34 - 23 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 5.5 (#42)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
 
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-8.554.5W 31 - 16UY
Sat 9/27 Western Kentucky at Missouri State-3.559.5W 27 - 22UY
Fri 10/3 Western Kentucky at Delaware+2.562.5W 27 - 24UY
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/14 Western Kentucky vs Florida International-9.555.5L 6 - 25UN
Tue 10/21 Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech+5.549.5W 28 - 27OY
Sat 11/1 Western Kentucky vs New Mexico State-7.553.5W 35 - 16UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Western Kentucky vs Middle Tennessee-13.551.5W 42 - 26OY
Sat 11/22 Western Kentucky at LSU+24.552.0L 10 - 13UY
Sat 11/29 Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State-1.556.5L 34 - 37ON
Tue 12/23 Western Kentucky vs Southern Miss+3.059.0W 27 - 16UY

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 9
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 8
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 7
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 2, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1

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-35.560.5W 45 - 10UN
Sat 9/27 Jacksonville State at Southern Miss+4.555.5L 25 - 42ON
BYE WEEK
Thu 10/9 Jacksonville State vs Sam Houston-7.053.5W 29 - 27ON
Wed 10/15 Jacksonville State vs Delaware+3.055.5W 38 - 25OY
BYE WEEK
Wed 10/29 Jacksonville State at Middle Tennessee-4.554.0W 24 - 21UN
Sat 11/8 Jacksonville State at UTEP-1.546.5W 30 - 27OY
Sat 11/15 Jacksonville State vs Kennesaw State+3.556.5W 35 - 26OY
Sat 11/22 Jacksonville State at Florida International+2.555.5L 21 - 27UN
Sat 11/29 Jacksonville State vs Western Kentucky+1.556.5W 37 - 34OY
Fri 12/5 Jacksonville State vs Kennesaw State+3.062.5L 15 - 19UN
Tue 12/16 Jacksonville State vs Troy-3.047.5W 17 - 13UY

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 8
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 8
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 6
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 2, Poor: 2

Predictions for Jacksonville State's Schedule
Important Stats (2024)
 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)29.538% (117)2.78 (108)11045% (33)2653.83 (78)#95 (.21)45% (102)22.848% (113)40% (60)3.66 (54)41.31.71.5
JVST#22 (.27)45% (35)28.149% (18)3.36 (17)25440% (95)1894.85 (3)#55 (.14)43% (84)25.244% (79)43% (85)3.81 (70)58.41.11.6
 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
WKU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
JVST0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WKU Offense1429.524.541.8%3.831.7193741102653.545%55%38%45%16%.19
JVST Defense1425.22343.2%3.811.6 - - - - - 54%46%44%43%16%.14
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WKU Defense1422.82844.7%3.661.5 - - - - - 63%36%48%40%13%.21
JVST Offense1428.13445.2%4.851.1234432541895.564%36%49%40%11%.27

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Western Kentucky1427:5219.341%59%4.141.31.71.54.91.6029.7
Jacksonville State1426:5722.641%54%658.41.11.65.61.7128.5
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 Offense1445% (105)38% (117)31.1109.73.514 (98).01 (121)2.78 (108)69% (100)11% (87)0.95 (75)
JVST Defense1454% (108)44% (79) - - - - .09 (52)3.01 (72)63% (20)10% (59)0.88 (22)
 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 Defense1463% (134)48% (113) - - - - .19 (103)3.36 (116)77% (93)9% (88)0.9 (35)
JVST Offense1464% (4)49% (18)45.9253.65.551 (1).25 (15)3.36 (17)67% (107)8% (23)1.07 (32)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WKU Offense1455% (26)45% (33)22.133.5264.67.91228 (15)12 (85).36 (28)1.6 (59)33% (91)30% (91).29 (89)6% (56)1.9 (100)
JVST Defense1446% (27)43% (85) - - - - - - 12 (39).21 (55)1.5 (56)30% (102)33% (105).36 (92)6% (63)2 (45)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WKU Defense1436% (1)40% (60) - - - - - - 10 (66).29 (99)1.8 (128)28% (116)29% (47).23 (37)3% (132)2.1 (92)
JVST Offense1436% (131)40% (95)13.422.3189.48.514.114 (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: -6.35  #84
Western Kentucky's Offense Rating: 7.64  #104
Western Kentucky's Defense Rating: 13.99  #71
2025 Talent Rating: 620.00  #89
Blue Chip Ratio: 1%  #88
Western Kentucky's 2025 Expected Record: 8.7 - 4.3
Western Kentucky's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.6  #69
Western Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.8  #56
Western Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.6  #78

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 436
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: -6.35   Jacksonville State: -9.595

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: 1.6   Jacksonville State: -6.7




Jacksonville State's Power Ratings
Jacksonville State's Power Rating: -9.595  #127
Jacksonville State's Offense Rating: 8.92  #93
Jacksonville State's Defense Rating: 26.41  #135
2025 Talent Rating: 386.00  #128
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #101
Jacksonville State's 2025 Expected Record: 8.5 - 5.5
Jacksonville State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.7  #92
Jacksonville State's Offense SP+ Rating: 27.2  #67
Jacksonville State's Defense SP+ Rating: 32.4  #102

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 436
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
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 2025 Record
Record: 9 - 4
Record vs Spread: 10 - 3 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 7
Record on Road: 4 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 4 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 6 - 2 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Western Kentucky 31
Jacksonville State 24


Projected Total Points: 55
Jacksonville State Scoring
Offense: 28.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 34
Defense: 25.2 PPG
Defense at Home: 23

Jacksonville State's 2025 Record
Record: 9 - 5
Record vs Spread: 7 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 8 - 6
Record at home: 5 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 4 - 2 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 5 - 5 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 4 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/29Jacksonville State37Western Kentucky34Western Kentucky -1.5Jacksonville State56.5Over
202411/30Western Kentucky19Jacksonville State17Jacksonville State -0.5Western Kentucky62.5Under
202412/06Jacksonville State52Western Kentucky12Jacksonville State -4.5Jacksonville State58.5Over
202310/17Jacksonville State20Western Kentucky17Western Kentucky -7.5Jacksonville State60.5Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Jacksonville State332 Overs
Western Kentucky112 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams4 - 04 - 01 - 03 - 0
Road Teams0 - 40 - 40 - 30 - 1

(#84) WKU at (#127) JVST
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWKUJVST
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #84 #127
SP+SP+ #69 #92
Perf GradeGrade #65 #69
OffenseOff #69 #76
DefenseDef #71 #44
Spec TeamsST #20 #107
TalentTal #89 #128
Blue ChipsBC% #88 #101
Western Kentucky Notes
(10/22) Escaped LT in OT, QB Tisdale OK but is mobile
(10/21) QB1 McIvor shoulder inj, R. Tisdale (Fr) vs La Tech
(10/15) FIU performance off a bye? Completely unprepared
(10/15) McIover last 4 games, 2 TD, 4 INT, 231 YPG.
(10/14) Shameful performance vs FIU, OG'd by 200+, Off awful
(10/4) Lucky W @ Del, OG'd by 100 yds, 2 TOs for TDs.
(10/4) QB McIvor is fun in an extremely pass heavy Off
(8/23) Likely 7-8 portal starters on both Off & Def
(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
Western Kentucky Injury Report
Jacksonville State Notes
(12/5) Creel is a RB taking snaps. Just an awful QB
(12/3) Have significant injuries at LB into CUSA title game
(11/29) Beat WKU to finish 7-1 in conf, play Kenn St in title game
(10/16) HC Kelly has been so much better than I thought
(10/16) RB Cam Cook a beast and criminally underrated
(10/14) QB1 now Caden Creel, Wimsatt (benched) now QB2
(10/10) OG'd SHSU 500-280, had 370 rush, needed GW FG
(10/8) Fr QB Caden Creel replaced Wimsatt in S Miss game
(10/8) QB1 Competition now, Fr Creel mobile but TO issues
(9/22) Off is 4th in rush yds after contact (wk 5)
(9/11) RB Cam Cook (Tr TCU) has been great so far
(8/29) QB Wimsatt awful vs UCF, Pass Def really bad
Jacksonville State Injury Report
Western Kentucky on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
WKU OffJVST Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #69 #44
SuccessSuc #83 #84
ExplosiveExp #33 #27
PPAPPA #66 #55
PowerPwr #104 #135
SP+SP+ #56 #102
Pts POPPO #78 #70
HavocHav #73 #66
Western Kentucky Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
WKU OffJVST Def
Run GameRun #72 #36
Run SuccessRSuc #117 #79
Run ExplRExp #75 #22
PPAExp #121 #52
Run BlockR Blk #95 -
OL YdsOLY #108 #72
Stuff RateStuff #103 #63
TackleTak -  #22
Western Kentucky Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
WKU OffJVST Def
Pass GamePass #57 #64
Pass SuccessPSuc #33 #85
Pass ExplPExl #59 #56
PPAExp #28 #55
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #48 #60
F7 HavocF7 #87 #59
DB HavocDB #56 #63
Jacksonville State on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 64%, Pass: 35%
CategoryCatJVST OffWKU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #76 #71
SuccessSuc #35 #102
ExplosiveExp #30 #36
PPAPPA #22 #95
PowerPwr #93 #71
SP+SP+ #67 #78
Pts POPPO #3 #54
HavocHav #7 #122
Jacksonville State Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 64%, Pass: 35%
CategoryCat
JVST OffWKU Def
Run GameRun #39 #65
Run SuccessRSuc #18 #113
Run ExplRExp #32 #35
PPAExp #15 #103
Run BlockR Blk #71 -
OL YdsOLY #17 #116
Stuff RateStuff #31 #128
TackleTak -  #119
Jacksonville State Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 64%, Pass: 35%
CategoryCatJVST OffWKU Def
Pass GamePass #84 #52
Pass SuccessPSuc #95 #60
Pass ExplPExl #5 #128
PPAExp #35 #99
Pass Block/RushP Blk #26 #81
F7 HavocF7 #23 #88
DB HavocDB #8 #132
Program Comparison
JVST 5 Year Profile: Improving Poor G5
'25 Profile: Down to Average G5

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in JSU Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 14
Western Kentucky 1.5 (56.5)
Jacksonville State won vs Western Kentucky this year (37-34)

Previous Matchups
Jacksonville State beat Western Kentucky last year (37-34)
Jacksonville State beat Western Kentucky in 2024 (52-12)
Jacksonville State beat Western Kentucky in 2023 (20-17)

  
WKU's OC Will Friend (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Maverick McIvor (Tr)18327367%20621267.6
Rodney Tisdale Jr.13921266%1432976.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Marvis Parrish10657615.466
La'Vell Wright (Tr)85471105.539
George Hart III7030054.336
Rodney Tisdale Jr.5210822.115
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Matthew Henry (Tr)55888616.155
K.D. Hutchinson6661839.478
Moussa Barry34488114.448
Noah Meyers32357311.262

View Western Kentucky's Full Roster

WKU's DC Tyson Summers (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Wester (Tr)1067232
Anthony Brackenridge745123
Jaylen Lewis (Tr)744005
Dave Herard583004
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dominic Oliver (Tr)204300
Koron Hayward194321
Jalen Emery (Tr)183213
Harper Holloman396264
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Nazir Ward353106
Jaylen Lewis (Tr)744005
Jai Eugene Jr.212105

JVST's OC Clint Trickett (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Caden Creel13021162%1514947.2
Gavin Wimsatt (Tr)6311256%731426.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Cam Cook (Tr)2961666165.673
Caden Creel182107575.973
Gavin Wimsatt (Tr)5226345.144
Khristian Lando5120113.917
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Deondre Johnson (Tr)30724624.177
Brock Rechsteiner36383510.656
Pearson Baldwin26302211.652
Cam Cook (Tr)3028609.554

View Jacksonville State's Full Roster

JVST's DC Brian Williams (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mac Sanders8312252
Walker O'Steen786361
Trevor Woods (Tr)641004
Caleb Nix (Tr)634003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Emmanuel Oybadejo417565
Darrell Prater214400
Isaac Walker (Tr)316331
Malcolm Jones515310
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tre'Quon Fegans (Tr)362009
Emmanuel Oybadejo417565
Jaheim Jenkins (Tr)210005