South Alabama vs Western Michigan: AI Predictions - NCAAF

The South Alabama Jaguars will take a short ride to play the Western Michigan Broncos at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery for the Salute to Veterans Bowl.

Let's see how I used the Rithmm App to create custom sports betting models to get my AI prediction for South Alabama vs Western Michigan.

Preview of South Alabama vs Western Michigan AI Prediction

• Date: Saturday December 14
• Time: 9:00 PM ET
• Location: Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, AL
• Surface: Artificial Turf
• How to Watch: ESPN

South Alabama Preview

The Jaguars ended their 2024 campaign with a 6 - 6 overall record and a 5 - 3 record in the Sunbelt Conference. They have gone 6 - 4 over their last 10 games including a win over Sunbelt West conference winner Louisiana 24 - 22 three weeks ago.

Quarterback Gio Lopez threw for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns with only five interceptions on the season as well as being the third leading rusher on the team with 456 yards on 83 carries and seven touchdowns. Lopez did suffer a foot injury in the season finale against Texas State and is questionable for Saturday.

The real loss for the Jaguars is running back Fluff Bothwell who led the team in rushing with 832 yards on 111 carries with 13 touchdowns. Bothwell has moved into the transfer portal and will be unavailable this weekend. Kentrel Bullock should pick up the load as he went for 701 yards on 135 carries with six touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

South Alabama is ranked 66th in the ESPN College Football Power Index for 2024.

Western Michigan Preview

The Broncos ended their season at 6 - 6 as well and were 5 - 3 in the MAC Conference but, unlike the Jaguars, have struggled of late losing three of their last four games. They did break their three game losing streak in the last game of the season with a 26 - 18 win over Eastern Michigan.

Quarterback Hayden Wolff had a career season throwing for 2,214 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions and led the MAC in passer efficiency at 147.0. Wolff's downside is he is not a mobile quarterback having been sacked 21 times this season.

Running back Jaden Nixon will be the go-to on the ground as he carried 132 times for 874 yards, a 6.6 average, with 12 touchdowns this season along with Jalen Buckley who had 657 yards rushing on 120 carries and eight touchdowns.

Western Michigan is ranked 111th in the ESPN College Football Power Index for 2024.

How I use Models for South Alabama vs Western Michigan AI Prediction

This is a bowl game and you have to view these games a little differently than you would a regular season game. The weather isn't expected to be good on Saturday with rain in the forecast and that may slow the passing game down for both teams.

The Jaguars offense has been powerful all season and, in spite of the transfer of Bothwell, I still expect Bullock to fill that role without missing too much of a beat. The real thing to watch here is if quarterback Gio Lopez is healthy or not.

Western Michigan's defense is not a powerhouse and with the offensive struggles of the Broncos the last few weeks, they've only averaged 20 points per game in their last four, this could be a bit of a barn burner.

The line at the time of this writing is sitting at South Alabama -8.5 (DK) and my Rithmm models agree with this completely. There's still a lot of week to go before Saturday and the line has come down a bit from opening at -10. The bet split is solid at 82% to the Jaguars covering this and I'm in agreement there.

I'll be taking South Alabama -8.5.

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