Wed, Dec 18 2024
·
Postseason
·
Neutral Site
·
🏟 FAU Stadium
Boca Raton, FL
·
Turf
·
30,000 cap
Western Kentucky✈ 822 mi+1 hr TZ
James Madison✈ 836 miSame 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
58.6%
James Madison wins
Lean
Vegas Spread
James Madison -7.5
O/U 50.5
DraftKings
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → James Madison
· 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
Western Kentucky 2024 Schedule
Western Kentucky's 2024 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 8/31 | Western Kentucky at Alabama | +31.0L0–63 | 60.0 | L0–63 | O | N |
| Sat 9/7 | Western Kentucky vs Eastern Kentucky | -18.5W31–0 | 59.5 | W31–0 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/14 | Western Kentucky at Middle Tennessee | -10.5W49–21 | 53.5 | W49–21 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/21 | Western Kentucky vs Toledo | +2.0W26–21 | 60.5 | W26–21 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/28 | Western Kentucky at Boston College | +7.5L20–21 | 48.0 | L20–21 | U | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Thu 10/10 | Western Kentucky vs UTEP | -19.0W44–17 | 55.5 | W44–17 | O | Y |
| Wed 10/16 | Western Kentucky at Sam Houston | +1.5W31–14 | 55.0 | W31–14 | U | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Wed 10/30 | Western Kentucky vs Kennesaw State | -24.0W31–14 | 49.0 | W31–14 | U | N |
| Sat 11/9 | Western Kentucky at New Mexico State | -18.0W41–28 | 53.5 | W41–28 | O | N |
| Sat 11/16 | Western Kentucky vs Louisiana Tech | -11.5L7–12 | 52.5 | L7–12 | U | N |
| Sat 11/23 | Western Kentucky at Liberty | +1.0L21–38 | 56.5 | L21–38 | O | N |
| Sat 11/30 | Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State | +0.5W19–17 | 62.5 | W19–17 | U | Y |
| Fri 12/6 | Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State | +4.5L12–52 | 58.5 | L12–52 | O | N |
| Wed 12/18 | Western Kentucky vs James Madison | +7.5L17–27 | 50.5 | L17–27 | U | N |
James Madison 2024 Schedule
James Madison's 2024 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 8/31 | James Madison at Charlotte | -6.5W30–7 | 47.5 | W30–7 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/7 | James Madison vs Gardner-Webb | -35.5W13–6 | 50.5 | W13–6 | U | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 9/21 | James Madison at North Carolina | +10.0W70–50 | 48.0 | W70–50 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/28 | James Madison vs Ball State | -22.0W63–7 | 56.5 | W63–7 | O | Y |
| Sat 10/5 | James Madison at UL Monroe | -16.5L19–21 | 48.5 | L19–21 | U | N |
| Thu 10/10 | James Madison vs Coastal Carolina | -7.0W39–7 | 59.0 | W39–7 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/19 | James Madison at Georgia Southern | -9.5L14–28 | 58.5 | L14–28 | U | N |
| Sat 10/26 | James Madison vs Southern Miss | -24.0W32–15 | 54.0 | W32–15 | U | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 11/9 | James Madison vs Georgia State | -14.5W38–7 | 53.5 | W38–7 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/16 | James Madison at Old Dominion | -1.5W35–32 | 51.0 | W35–32 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/23 | James Madison at App State | -7.5L20–34 | 57.5 | L20–34 | U | N |
| Sat 11/30 | James Madison vs Marshall | -2.5L33–35 | 52.5 | L33–35 | O | N |
| Wed 12/18 | James Madison vs Western Kentucky | -7.5W27–17 | 50.5 | W27–17 | U | Y |
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
All 4 Agree
→ James Madison
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ James Madison
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 · 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?
James Madison Edge
James Madison +0.02
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.4% of games historically
Based on 11 games this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance
Who controls games start to finish?
James Madison Edge
James Madison +7.8
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.6% of games historically
Based on 12 games this season
Actual Result
CSS Battle
James Madison
1 — 0 sequences
✓ Predicted correctly
GC Battle
James Madison
40.3 — 24.8 GC score
✓ Predicted correctly
Game Result
James Madison won by 10
✓ Model called it
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season
Both metrics agree on James Madison. 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
Western Kentucky
Tyson Helton #1
40–26 (61%)
· Yr 6 at school
OC
Will Friend
Yr 1
#1
DC
Tyson Summers
Yr 3
#1
James Madison
Bob Chesney #1
0–0 (0%)
· Yr 1 at school
OC
Dean Kennedy
Yr 1
#1
DC
Lyle Hemphill
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 ✓

