James Madison Dukes (11-1) vs. Air Force Falcons (8-4)
James Madison Dukes vs. Air Force Falcons 12/23/23 – As college football season comes to a close, James Madison Dukes and Air Force Falcons prepare for an intriguing clash in the Armed Forces Bowl. Boasting 11-1 records and 8-4 overall standing respectively, James Madison stands as an athletic powerhouse against Air Force rivals while providing fans with top college football bowl tips an exciting encounter this Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium – not only as an athletic competition, but as a tribute to sportsmanship within college athletics!
Kaelon Black, a dynamic running back with 594 rushing yards and an outstanding 4.5 yards per attempt average, has contributed greatly to The Dukes’ phenomenal performance, while Elijah Sarratt has become an invaluable wide receiver with 1076 receiving yards with an average of 14.5 per reception; these players make for formidable defensive strategies and must be taken into consideration as key components.
Air Force’s resilience can be seen through running back Emmanuel Michel’s 747 rushing yards this season; his endurance and consistency play an instrumental role in their ground game. Wide receiver Jared Roznos has shown great promise as well, averaging 30.2 yards per catch, which showcases his capacity for game-changing plays.
James Madison Dukes vs. Air Force Falcons Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 3:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Amon G. Carter Stadium |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Jordan McCloud QB vs. Zac Larrier QB
Jordan McCloud is having an outstanding senior season for the Dukes, compiling over 3,400 yards through the air with 32 touchdowns and a sterling 167.3 passer rating. His accuracy and decision making have been superb – he completes 69% of his throws and limits mistakes with just 9 interceptions. McCloud excels at hitting big plays downfield, averaging 9 yards per attempt. He engineers an offense that can strike quickly behind his veteran leadership and precise ball placement. However, he has struggled against fierce pass rushes, taking 19 sacks on the year. The key for McCloud is avoiding negative plays against a disciplined Air Force defense.
On the other side, junior Zac Larrier pilots Air Force’s methodical triple-option attack. He’s thrown for just 744 yards on the season, but completes a high percentage (59.7%) and limits mistakes, with only 2 interceptions. Larrier won’t fill up the stat sheet himself – instead, he acts as an efficient game manager, distributing to his playmakers and moving the chains with his legs when needed. More importantly, he allows the Falcons rushing offense to dictate tempo and slowly wear down opponents. Larrier faces a porous James Madison defense that bleeds yards – if he can avoid killer turnovers, his patient, ball control style could pay dividends in this one.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: James Madison Dukes -140, Total Odds: 41
The current betting odds lean slightly towards the James Madison Dukes, suggesting a close and intense matchup. The -140 moneyline for the Dukes indicates their slight edge, while the total odds set at 41 points imply a game with moderate scoring.
James Madison Dukes Betting Trends
The Dukes are 8-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 overall, proving profitable for bettors this season. They also play very well on Saturdays, going 13-1 straight up in their last 14 contests on that day. When favored, James Madison dominates, with a 13-1 straight up record as the betting favorite. They also excel in early bowl matchups, covering in 5 of their last 6 Saturday road contests in December.
Air Force Falcons Betting Trends
On the flip side, Air Force has struggled mightily down the stretch, both straight up and against the number. They are just 1-4 SU in their previous 5 outings while failing to cover in 4 of those. However, as underdogs this year, the Falcons are a profitable 6-3 ATS and have an overall strong bowl record. Notably, totals have gone under in 4 of Air Force’s last 5 December games – suggesting their slower pace and stingier defense shows up in these spots.
James Madison Dukes vs. Air Force Falcons 12/23/23 Betting Picks
In assessing the strengths, weaknesses, and trends of both teams, the Dukes seem to have a slight edge. Their offensive firepower, led by McCloud, and the consistency shown in their ATS record make them a solid pick. However, the Falcons’ resilience and tendency to exceed expectations in December games provide a potential for a close contest.
The better pick appears to be the James Madison Dukes, considering their overall performance and the statistical edge. Yet, the game’s total points offer an intriguing prospect, with a lean towards the under, given the Falcons’ defensive capabilities and the Dukes’ balanced offense. Incorporating these insights into a premium game analysis, prop bets on individual player performances, particularly on the Dukes’ key offensive players, could offer additional betting value.
Free Pick and Prediction: James Madison Dukes 23, Air Force Falcons 16