Sat, Sep 30 2023
·
Week 5
·
🏟 Bridgeforth Stadium
Harrisonburg, VA
·
Turf
·
24,878 cap
South Alabama✈ 746 mi+1 hr TZ
Matchup Prediction
James Madison
has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor
James Madison entering this game.
Momentum Control
58.4%
James Madison wins
Lean
Game Control
76%
James Madison wins
Strong
Vegas Spread
James Madison -1
O/U 48.5
William Hill (New Jersey)
Advanced Stats
PPA + Success Rate agree → James Madison
· 73.9% ATS historically
↓ See full breakdown
South Alabama 2023 Schedule
South Alabama's 2023 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 9/2 | South Alabama at Tulane | +6.0L17–37 | 51.0 | L17–37 | O | N |
| Sat 9/9 | South Alabama vs SE Louisiana | -24.0W35–17 | 59.5 | W35–17 | U | N |
| Sat 9/16 | South Alabama at Oklahoma State | +7.0W33–7 | 49.5 | W33–7 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/23 | South Alabama vs Central Michigan | -16.5L30–34 | 46.5 | L30–34 | O | N |
| Sat 9/30 | South Alabama at James Madison | +1.0L23–31 | 48.5 | L23–31 | O | N |
| Sat 10/7 | South Alabama at UL Monroe | -11.0W55–7 | 51.5 | W55–7 | O | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Tue 10/17 | South Alabama vs Southern Miss | -18.5W55–3 | 51.0 | W55–3 | O | Y |
| Sat 10/28 | South Alabama vs Louisiana | -11.5L20–33 | 55.0 | L20–33 | U | N |
| Thu 11/2 | South Alabama at Troy | +5.5L10–28 | 44.5 | L10–28 | U | N |
| Sat 11/11 | South Alabama vs Arkansas State | -14.5W21–14 | 54.5 | W21–14 | U | N |
| Sat 11/18 | South Alabama vs Marshall | -10.5W28–0 | 44.5 | W28–0 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/25 | South Alabama at Texas State | -6.5L44–52 | 57.0 | L44–52 | O | N |
| Sat 12/23 | South Alabama at Eastern Michigan | -18.0W59–10 | 43.0 | W59–10 | O | Y |
James Madison 2023 Schedule
James Madison's 2023 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 9/2 | James Madison vs Bucknell | -47.0W38–3 | 53.5 | W38–3 | U | N |
| Sat 9/9 | James Madison at Virginia | -6.0W36–35 | 40.0 | W36–35 | O | N |
| Sat 9/16 | James Madison at Troy | +2.5W16–14 | 46.5 | W16–14 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/23 | James Madison at Utah State | -5.5W45–38 | 53.5 | W45–38 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/30 | James Madison vs South Alabama | -1.0W31–23 | 48.5 | W31–23 | O | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/14 | James Madison vs Georgia Southern | -5.5W41–13 | 60.0 | W41–13 | U | Y |
| Thu 10/19 | James Madison at Marshall | -5.0W20–9 | 49.0 | W20–9 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/28 | James Madison vs Old Dominion | -19.5W30–27 | 48.0 | W30–27 | O | N |
| Sat 11/4 | James Madison at Georgia State | -6.0W42–14 | 53.0 | W42–14 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/11 | James Madison vs UConn | -24.5W44–6 | 47.5 | W44–6 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/18 | James Madison vs App State | -10.0L23–26 | 56.5 | L23–26 | U | N |
| Sat 11/25 | James Madison at Coastal Carolina | -9.5W56–14 | 50.5 | W56–14 | O | Y |
| Sat 12/23 | James Madison vs Air Force | +2.5L21–31 | 44.5 | L21–31 | O | N |
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
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ James Madison
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?
James Madison Edge
James Madison +0.33
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.4% of games historically
Based on 3 games this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance
Who controls games start to finish?
James Madison Edge
James Madison +23.2
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 76% of games historically
Based on 4 games this season
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season
Both metrics agree on James Madison 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
South Alabama
Kane Wommack #1
17–11 (61%)
· Yr 3 at school
OC
Major Applewhite
Yr 3
#1
DC
Corey Batoon
Yr 3
#1
James Madison
Curt Cignetti #1
44–8 (85%)
· Yr 5 at school
OC
Mike Shanahan
Yr 2
#1
DC
Bryant Haines
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 ✓