Western Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State Betting Pick: Can Austin Reed, Western Kentucky Break Out on Tuesday Night?

Western Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, and Latest Odds

Jacksonville State has impressed in their first FBS season. Sitting in third place behind Western Kentucky in the Conference USA standings, tonight’s contest has big implications. Does Rich Rodriguez, the former head coach at WVU, Michigan and Arizona, have another upset brewing for the Gamecocks tonight, or will the Hilltopers’ passing attack be too much for them to handle?

Western Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State Date, Time, and Where to Watch

• Date: October 17, 2023
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where To Watch: ESPNU

Western Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State Odds

• Spread: Western Kentucky -7.5 (-106), Jacksonville State +7.5 (-105)
• Total Odds: O 59.5 (-110), U 59.5 (-104)
• Moneyline Odds: Western Kentucky (-286), Jacksonville State (+260)

Western Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State Prediction

We don’t really know what to expect under center for JVST tonight, as Logan Smothers, Zion Webb and Ashton Frye could all potentially see time at QB. Just by looking at the WKU -7.5 line tells me we probably won’t see Smothers, the best QB of the bunch. He is questionable tonight but I doubt we see him, along with starting running back Malik Jackson who is out. Without Smothers and Jackson, I don’t see how JVST’s offense is going to keep up with the Hilltoppers.

WKU has a top-30 passing attack in the nation. This pass-heavy offense is a well-oiled machine, ready to pick apart this poor JVST pass defense. The Gamecocks are ranked 91st in opponent passing yards per game. Austin Reed is one of the best quarterbacks in the country, but has yet to have that breakout game. Tonight will be the night the senior shows the world on primetime how good he really is.

Luckily for Reed, he has one of the best receivers in college football along side him. Malachi Corley is a future NFL wide receiver, and is coming off a 207 yard performance against a much better pass defense. There isn’t anybody on this Jacksonville State defense that can cover Malachi Corley.

Western Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State Pick

Not only will the Hilltoppers win this game tonight, they are going to win by 10+. If the Gamecocks had Logan Smothers, I would be off WKU. He brings the energy for JVST and has cost me plenty of money already this season making big-time plays. Zion Webb is expected to start for JVST, and he has yet to really shine in his four years there. Western Kentucky’s passing attack will be too much to handle for this Jacksonville State defense. Fade this public underdog, and back the better team and one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country to win big on the road.

Pick: Western Kentucky -7.5 -110 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick

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