Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Prediction, 11/14/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026

Location: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, KY

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Hilltoppers (+6.5)

Total/Over-Under: 53.5

The Jacksonville State Gamecocks (7-2) are headed to Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2026 where they will try to defeat the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3-6). Western Kentucky opens this matchup as 6.5-point underdogs. The total is set at 53.5.

The Jacksonville State Gamecocks come into this matchup with a record of 7-2 this year. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Gamecocks took on the Sam Houston Bearkats and earned the victory with a final of 47-14. The Jacksonville State Gamecocks rushed the ball a total of 33 different times and had 197 yards, which earned them an average of 6.0 yards per attempt. When all was said and done, they ran 63 plays which converted into 479 yards. Jacksonville State allowed 21 completions on 28 attempts for 189 yds, and a completion percentage of 75.0%. When it came to stopping the run, the Gamecocks conceded 65 yds on 23 attempts, which is 2.8 yds per rush allowed.

Regarding getting in the endzone, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks hold an average of 29.1 points per outing. As a team they're maintaining an average of 174.7 yards on the ground which ranks them 45th in D-1. The Gamecocks have tallied 3,641 total yards for this campaign. In terms of distribution of touchdowns, Jacksonville State has amassed 15 passing touchdowns and 14 rushing touchdowns. Jacksonville State has 198 1st downs as a unit, and they have been hurt by 59 infractions for 521 yards. They have turned the football over 12 different times.

Concerning passing yards, the Gamecocks have conceded 1,539 yds which puts them in 12th in D-1. They are giving up 171.0 yards per outing via the pass as well as allowing a completion percentage of 64.2%. Over the course of this year, they are surrendering 321.4 yards per contest putting them 30th in D-1. They have surrendered 10 touchdowns via the pass as well as 8 touchdowns via the ground game. Opposing teams are running for an average of 4.3 yards per run and 150.4 rushing yards per contest for the season. Over the course of this year, they have allowed 1,354 yards via the running game in 9 games. The Gamecocks rank 24th in college football when it comes to team defense, conceding 19.2 points per contest.

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The Hilltoppers head into this game 3-6 for this season. For their last game, the Hilltoppers took a defeat with a final score of 51-42 when they faced the MTSU Blue Raiders. The Hilltoppers finished the contest with a total of 497 yds on 68 plays (7.3 yds per play). Western Kentucky rushed for 7.4 yds per carry, totaling 238 yds on 32 carries. Western Kentucky relinquished 30 running attempts for 201 yds (6.7 yds per rush). The Hilltoppers secondary conceded a completion rate of 71.4%, relinquishing 312 yards on 30 for 42 through the air.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers hold an average of 383.2 yards per outing, which has them sitting 71st in the nation. The Western Kentucky offense has accrued 371 penalty yds on 42 violations, which is good for 128th in the country in terms of helping out the opposition. They have an average of 158.0 run yards per game and have run for 1,422 yards for the year. They have thrown 6 interceptions while conceding 6 fumbles and they have been able to tally 178 first downs. Regarding the points being put on the board, the Hilltoppers currently sit 102nd in college football averaging 23.6 PPG. For the year so far, the Hilltoppers currently have a total of 2,027 passing yards as well as an average of 225.2 passing yards per contest, which ranks 76th in D-1.

The Hilltoppers are conceding 33.3 points per game, ranking them 126th in D-1. Western Kentucky has conceded a total of 1,570 yards on the ground (174.4 yards per contest) in addition to 16 touchdowns on the ground for the year. They have given up 20 touchdowns through the air in addition to 229.1 yards per outing, which has them in 95th in Division 1. The Hilltoppers defense has taken part in 573 plays, which is 50th in Division 1. Their defense has 3 fumbles recovered and 4 interceptions on the season. In total, they have relinquished 300 points.

Who will win tonight's Gamecocks/Hilltoppers college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Hilltoppers +6.5

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