Thu, Dec 22 2022
·
Postseason
·
Neutral Site
·
🏟 Caesers Superdome
New Orleans, LA
·
Turf
·
76,468 cap
Western Kentucky✈ 528 miSame TZ
South Alabama✈ 131 miSame TZ
Matchup Prediction
Metrics disagree on this matchup
Momentum Control favors Western Kentucky,
while Game Control favors South Alabama.
Split signals historically show weaker predictive confidence — treat as a toss-up.
⚡ Split Signal — Metrics Disagree
Momentum Control
61.3%
Western Kentucky wins
Lean
Game Control
58.6%
South Alabama wins
Lean
Vegas Spread
South Alabama -4
O/U 58.0
Bovada
Advanced Stats
Advanced factors are split · No strong agreement signal
↓ See full breakdown
Western Kentucky 2022 Schedule
Western Kentucky's 2022 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 8/27 | Western Kentucky vs Austin Peay | -32.5W38–27 | 72.0 | W38–27 | U | N |
| Sat 9/3 | Western Kentucky at Hawai'i | -16.5W49–17 | 67.5 | W49–17 | U | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 9/17 | Western Kentucky at Indiana | +7.0L30–33 | 61.0 | L30–33 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/24 | Western Kentucky vs Florida International | -31.0W73–0 | 65.0 | W73–0 | O | Y |
| Sat 10/1 | Western Kentucky vs Troy | -5.0L27–34 | 55.0 | L27–34 | O | N |
| Sat 10/8 | Western Kentucky at UTSA | +6.5L28–31 | 72.5 | L28–31 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/15 | Western Kentucky at Middle Tennessee | -7.5W35–17 | 67.5 | W35–17 | U | Y |
| Fri 10/21 | Western Kentucky vs UAB | -1.5W20–17 | 60.5 | W20–17 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/29 | Western Kentucky vs North Texas | -10.0L13–40 | 70.0 | L13–40 | U | N |
| Sat 11/5 | Western Kentucky at Charlotte | -14.5W59–7 | 72.5 | W59–7 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/12 | Western Kentucky vs Rice | -13.5W45–10 | 61.0 | W45–10 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/19 | Western Kentucky at Auburn | +5.0L17–41 | 54.0 | L17–41 | O | N |
| Sat 11/26 | Western Kentucky at Florida Atlantic | -7.5W32–31 | 62.5 | W32–31 | O | N |
| Wed 12/21 | Western Kentucky vs South Alabama | +4.0W44–23 | 58.0 | W44–23 | O | Y |
South Alabama 2022 Schedule
South Alabama's 2022 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 9/3 | South Alabama vs Nicholls | -13.5W48–7 | 53.0 | W48–7 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/10 | South Alabama at Central Michigan | +6.0W38–24 | 57.5 | W38–24 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/17 | South Alabama at UCLA | +15.5L31–32 | 59.5 | L31–32 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/24 | South Alabama vs Louisiana Tech | -13.0W38–14 | 59.0 | W38–14 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/1 | South Alabama at Louisiana | -8.5W20–17 | 47.0 | W20–17 | U | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/15 | South Alabama vs UL Monroe | -17.0W41–34 | 51.0 | W41–34 | O | N |
| Thu 10/20 | South Alabama vs Troy | -3.0L6–10 | 47.0 | L6–10 | U | N |
| Sat 10/29 | South Alabama at Arkansas State | -9.0W31–3 | 52.5 | W31–3 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/5 | South Alabama at Georgia Southern | -3.5W38–31 | 60.5 | W38–31 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/12 | South Alabama vs Texas State | -16.0W38–21 | 46.0 | W38–21 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/19 | South Alabama at Southern Miss | -7.5W27–20 | 45.0 | W27–20 | O | N |
| Sat 11/26 | South Alabama vs Old Dominion | -16.5W27–20 | 47.0 | W27–20 | U | N |
| Wed 12/21 | South Alabama vs Western Kentucky | -4.0L23–44 | 58.0 | L23–44 | O | N |
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) ·
2022 season
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Split
Metrics disagree
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2022 season ·
Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences
Who builds scoring momentum?
Western Kentucky Edge
Western Kentucky +0.17
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 61.3% of games historically
Based on 11 games this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance
Who controls games start to finish?
South Alabama Edge
South Alabama +6.3
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.6% of games historically
Based on 12 games this season
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season
CSS and GC disagree on this matchup. When the metrics split, historical cover rates are essentially random — treat this as a coin flip against the spread.
ATS data is informational only. Past cover rates do not guarantee future results.
Coaching Matchup
Western Kentucky
Tyson Helton #1
23–16 (59%)
· Yr 4 at school
OC
Ben Arbuckle
Yr 1
#1
DC
Tyson Summers
Yr 1
#1
South Alabama
Kane Wommack #1
5–7 (42%)
· Yr 2 at school
OC
Major Applewhite
Yr 2
#1
DC
Corey Batoon
Yr 2
#1
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games. ✓
Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: CSS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: GS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself ✓
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games. ✓
Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: CSS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: GS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself ✓