Sun, Dec 15 2024
·
Postseason
·
Neutral Site
·
🏟 Cramton Bowl
Montgomery, AL
·
Turf
·
21,000 cap
South Alabama✈ 155 miSame TZ
Western Michigan✈ 685 mi-1 hr TZ
Matchup Prediction
South Alabama
has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor
South Alabama entering this game.
Momentum Control
61.3%
South Alabama wins
Lean
Game Control
58.3%
South Alabama wins
Lean
Vegas Spread
South Alabama -6
O/U 53.5
DraftKings
Advanced Stats
PPA + Success Rate agree → South Alabama
· 73.9% ATS historically
↓ See full breakdown
South Alabama 2024 Schedule
South Alabama's 2024 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 8/31 | South Alabama vs North Texas | -6.0L38–52 | 61.5 | L38–52 | O | N |
| Sat 9/7 | South Alabama at Ohio | -1.5L20–27 | 55.5 | L20–27 | U | N |
| Thu 9/12 | South Alabama vs Northwestern State | -36.5W87–10 | 60.5 | W87–10 | O | Y |
| Thu 9/19 | South Alabama at App State | +8.0W48–14 | 62.5 | W48–14 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/28 | South Alabama at LSU | +21.0L10–42 | 64.5 | L10–42 | U | N |
| Sat 10/5 | South Alabama at Arkansas State | -2.5L16–18 | 62.5 | L16–18 | U | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Tue 10/15 | South Alabama vs Troy | -10.0W25–9 | 53.0 | W25–9 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/26 | South Alabama vs UL Monroe | -7.0W46–17 | 45.0 | W46–17 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/2 | South Alabama vs Georgia Southern | -5.5L30–34 | 60.0 | L30–34 | O | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 11/16 | South Alabama at Louisiana | +6.5W24–22 | 60.0 | W24–22 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/23 | South Alabama at Southern Miss | -24.0W35–14 | 54.0 | W35–14 | U | N |
| Fri 11/29 | South Alabama vs Texas State | +2.5L38–45 | 60.5 | L38–45 | O | N |
| Sat 12/14 | South Alabama vs Western Michigan | -6.0W30–23 | 53.5 | W30–23 | U | Y |
Western Michigan 2024 Schedule
Western Michigan's 2024 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 8/30 | Western Michigan at Wisconsin | +24.0L14–28 | 57.0 | L14–28 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/7 | Western Michigan at Ohio State | +37.5L0–56 | 54.5 | L0–56 | O | N |
| Sat 9/14 | Western Michigan vs Bethune-Cookman | -33.5W59–31 | 54.5 | W59–31 | O | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 9/28 | Western Michigan at Marshall | +3.5L20–27 | 53.5 | L20–27 | U | N |
| Sat 10/5 | Western Michigan at Ball State | -10.0W45–42 | 57.5 | W45–42 | O | N |
| Sat 10/12 | Western Michigan vs Akron | -9.5W34–24 | 48.5 | W34–24 | O | Y |
| Sat 10/19 | Western Michigan at Buffalo | -1.0W48–41 | 49.5 | W48–41 | O | Y |
| Sat 10/26 | Western Michigan vs Kent State | -19.0W52–21 | 61.0 | W52–21 | O | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Wed 11/6 | Western Michigan vs Northern Illinois | +2.5L28–42 | 51.5 | L28–42 | O | N |
| Tue 11/12 | Western Michigan at Bowling Green | +9.5L13–31 | 57.5 | L13–31 | U | N |
| Tue 11/19 | Western Michigan at Central Michigan | -6.0L14–16 | 56.0 | L14–16 | U | N |
| Sat 11/30 | Western Michigan vs Eastern Michigan | -6.5W26–18 | 56.5 | W26–18 | U | Y |
| Sat 12/14 | Western Michigan vs South Alabama | +6.0L23–30 | 53.5 | L23–30 | U | N |
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) ·
2024 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
→ South Alabama
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 · 2024 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?
South Alabama Edge
South Alabama +0.55
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 +7.7
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.3% of games historically
Based on 11 games this season
Actual Result
CSS Battle
South Alabama
1 — 2 sequences
✓ Predicted correctly
GC Battle
South Alabama
24.0 — 57.1 GC score
✓ Predicted correctly
Game Result
South Alabama won by 7
✓ Model called it
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season
Both metrics agree on South Alabama. Teams with this edge profile have covered 50.3% historically — essentially a coin flip against the spread.
ATS data is informational only. Past cover rates do not guarantee future results.
Coaching Matchup
South Alabama
Major Applewhite #1
0–0 (0%)
· Yr 1 at school
OC
Rob Ezell
Yr 1
#1
DC
Will Windham
Yr 1
#1
Western Michigan
Lance Taylor #1
4–8 (33%)
· Yr 2 at school
OC
Walt Bell
Yr 1
#1
DC
Scott Power
Yr 1
#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 ✓