In another highly anticipated C-USA matchup, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers take on the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in a battle that could decide who plays in the C-USA championship game at the end of the season.
Western Kentucky is 4-2 and coming off of a bye week this week. The Hilltoppers haven’t lost a game in C-USA play yet.
Jacksonville State is 5-2 after a crushing defeat against the Liberty Flames last Tuesday. With just one in-conference loss, though, their championship hopes remain alive.
What Channel Airs the Western Kentucky-Jacksonville State Game?
Western Kentucky @ Jacksonville State
- Start Time:Â 7:30 p.m. ET
- Channel:Â ESPNU
- Odds:Â Western Kentucky -7
- Over/Under Total: 60
All eyes will be on Western Kentucky’s dynamic duo of quarterback Austin Reed and wide receiver Malachi Corley. Both of these players are some of the best in college football and will receive plenty of draft buzz for the upcoming NFL Draft.
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Reed has thrown for 1,665 passing yards and 14 touchdowns with just three interceptions on the season, and his arm talent pops off the screen, allowing him to make repeated big-time throws downfield.
Corley is tied for first in the C-USA with five receiving touchdowns and is at his best after the catch. Primarily a slot receiver for Western Kentucky, Corley has been Reed’s go-to weapon, and the Hilltoppers scheme him up plenty of opportunities to win. Corley’s awareness in space to find holes in zone coverages and then punish defensive backs trying to make the tackle have been two highly enjoyable traits on film.
The offense revolves around these two, as Western Kentucky’s run game has been close to non-existent due to the nature of their scheme. The Hilltoppers will often pass as an extension of the run game, and they sit at just 102.2 rushing yards per game, 119th in the country.
Reed has been sacked just twice this season, but Western Kentucky has allowed plenty of pressure around their tackles, something Jacksonville State could look to exploit. Center Vincent Murphy has allowed zero sacks and just two pressures this season, providing an anchor for the Hilltoppers up front.
Jacksonville State is giving up 230.1 passing yards per game this season and is last in the C-USA in yards per attempt allowed at 7.9. However, the Gamecocks are tied for first place in total pressures in the C-USA and have three players in the top five in sacks in Chris Hardie, Kamari Stephens, and Curley Young Jr. The Gamecocks can harass the quarterback handily, with over 100 pressures so far this season.
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Jacksonville State is still trying to figure out their quarterback situation between Zion Webb and Logan Smothers, but both quarterbacks were injured against Liberty. Webb was diagnosed with a concussion, and Smothers has an ankle sprain. Thus, this game could feature their third-string quarterback Ashton Frye.
Regardless of who is under center, their passing game has revolved around finding wide receiver Perry Carter. Carter and running back Malik Jackson will look to take some of the burden off of Frye. Jackson is second in the C-USA in rushing yards and is a tough, physical runner in between the tackles.
Western Kentucky’s defense has been rather middling, ranking 118th in rushing defense, 113th in passing yards allowed, and is giving up 29 points per game, but there are talented pieces to keep an eye on.
Cornerback Anthony Johnson Jr., a transfer from West Florida, is third in the C-USA in pass breakups and plays receivers tough, allowing just 40.9% of passes to be completed. His teammate, Davion Williams, has allowed just 46 passing yards this season, with 31 of those coming on one pass in Week 2.
This game will be a pretty entertaining one with plenty of stakes. Expect plenty of points and fireworks in this game between these two offenses.
