Sat, Nov 18 2023
·
Week 12
·
🏟 Houchens Industries-L. T. Smith Stadium
Bowling Green, KY
·
Turf
·
22,113 cap
Sam Houston✈ 677 miSame TZ
Matchup Prediction
Western Kentucky
has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor
Western Kentucky entering this game.
Momentum Control
58.4%
Western Kentucky wins
Lean
Game Control
76%
Western Kentucky wins
Strong
Vegas Spread
Western Kentucky -12.5
O/U 52.0
DraftKings
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → Western Kentucky
· 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
Sam Houston 2023 Schedule
Sam Houston's 2023 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 9/2 | Sam Houston at BYU | +19.0L0–14 | 46.5 | L0–14 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/9 | Sam Houston vs Air Force | +13.5L3–13 | 36.5 | L3–13 | U | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 9/23 | Sam Houston at Houston | +11.5L7–38 | 37.0 | L7–38 | O | N |
| Thu 9/28 | Sam Houston vs Jacksonville State | +6.5L28–35 | 36.5 | L28–35 | O | N |
| Thu 10/5 | Sam Houston at Liberty | +21.0L16–21 | 46.5 | L16–21 | U | Y |
| Wed 10/11 | Sam Houston at New Mexico State | +4.5L13–27 | 43.0 | L13–27 | U | N |
| Wed 10/18 | Sam Houston vs Florida International | -6.0L27–33 | 42.0 | L27–33 | O | N |
| Wed 10/25 | Sam Houston vs UTEP | -4.0L34–37 | 38.5 | L34–37 | O | N |
| Sat 11/4 | Sam Houston vs Kennesaw State | -16.5W24–21 | 41.5 | W24–21 | O | N |
| Sat 11/11 | Sam Houston at Louisiana Tech | +8.5W42–27 | 49.5 | W42–27 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/18 | Sam Houston at Western Kentucky | +12.5L23–28 | 52.0 | L23–28 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/25 | Sam Houston vs Middle Tennessee | +3.5W23–20 | 49.5 | W23–20 | U | Y |
Western Kentucky 2023 Schedule
Western Kentucky's 2023 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 9/2 | Western Kentucky vs South Florida | -13.5W41–24 | 71.5 | W41–24 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/9 | Western Kentucky vs Houston Christian | -41.5W52–22 | 64.5 | W52–22 | O | N |
| Sat 9/16 | Western Kentucky at Ohio State | +29.5L10–63 | 65.0 | L10–63 | O | N |
| Sat 9/23 | Western Kentucky at Troy | +3.5L24–27 | 57.0 | L24–27 | U | Y |
| Thu 9/28 | Western Kentucky vs Middle Tennessee | -6.5W31–10 | 61.0 | W31–10 | U | Y |
| Thu 10/5 | Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech | -6.0W35–28 | 59.0 | W35–28 | O | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Tue 10/17 | Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State | -7.5L17–20 | 60.5 | L17–20 | U | N |
| Tue 10/24 | Western Kentucky vs Liberty | +4.0L29–42 | 61.5 | L29–42 | O | N |
| Sat 11/4 | Western Kentucky at UTEP | -9.5W21–13 | 54.5 | W21–13 | U | N |
| Sat 11/11 | Western Kentucky vs New Mexico State | -4.5L29–38 | 55.5 | L29–38 | O | N |
| Sat 11/18 | Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston | -12.5W28–23 | 52.0 | W28–23 | U | N |
| Sat 11/25 | Western Kentucky at Florida International | -11.5W41–28 | 54.0 | W41–28 | O | Y |
| Mon 12/18 | Western Kentucky vs Old Dominion | +4.0W38–35 | 49.0 | W38–35 | O | Y |
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) ·
2023 season
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
All 4 Agree
→ Western Kentucky
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ Western Kentucky
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Western Kentucky
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 · 2023 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 +0.33
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.4% of games historically
Based on 9 games this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance
Who controls games start to finish?
Western Kentucky Edge
Western Kentucky +20.5
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 76% of games historically
Based on 10 games this season
Actual Result
CSS Battle
Tie
1 — 1 sequences
✗ Predicted incorrectly
GC Battle
Western Kentucky
50.8 — 26.0 GC score
✓ Predicted correctly
Game Result
Western Kentucky won by 5
✓ Model called it
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season
Both metrics agree on Western Kentucky with a large edge. Historically, dominant teams like this are fully priced into the spread — the agreed-upon team covers just 50.2% of the time. The metrics predict game control better than they beat the number.
ATS data is informational only. Past cover rates do not guarantee future results.
Coaching Matchup
Sam Houston
K. C. Keeler #1
85–29 (75%)
· Yr 10 at school
OC
Brad Cornelsen
Yr 1
#1
DC
Clayton Carlin
Yr 1
#1
Western Kentucky
Tyson Helton #1
34–22 (61%)
· Yr 5 at school
OC
Drew Hollingshead
Yr 1
#1
DC
Tyson Summers
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: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an 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: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an 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: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an 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: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an 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 ✓