Free College Football Picks 12/18/2024
Western Kentucky vs. James Madison College Football Pick Prediction 12/18/2024
Western Kentucky vs. James Madison Profiles
Western Kentucky fell to 8-5 after their 52-12 road defeat to Jacksonville St in the CUSA Championship Game. They closed the regular season losing three of our putting up 21 points per game or fewer. James Madison is 8-4 with their 35-33 home defeat to Marshall. The Dukes have dropped two straight. They lost four games against Sun Belt opponents.
The Pick with the Explanation
Western Kentucky vs. James Madison 5:30PM ET– The Boca Raton Bowl will be played in Florida. The temperature will be 76 degrees with a 60% chance of rain with light to moderate wind. WKU had 27 players hit the portal. All transfers including their starting quarterback are expected to play according to their head coach. Four players have hit the portal for the Dukes including starting quarterback Alonza Barnett who will not play. Redshirt senior quarterback Billy Atkins will start. He has seen limited work in his four seasons as a backup. The good news is that he will have his targets available. Three of his top four receivers are expected to play. Western Kentucky’s defense has been in very poor form the past three games as they have allowed 36 points with 6.4 yards per run and 9.4 yards per pass attempt. They have thrown the football for 241 yards per game in this period. James Madison defense unraveled down the stretch as in their past three games allowed 34 points per game with 4.1 yards per run and 7.2 yards per pass attempt. Two defenses in shaky form here. Play Western Kentucky and James Madison over 51.
California vs. UNLV College Football Pick Prediction 12/18/2024
California vs. UNLV Team Profiles
Cal fell to 6-6 following their 38-6 road defeat at SMU. They have lost two of three. The defense has allowed 33 points or greater in three of four. UNLV fell to 10-3 with their 21-7 defeat at Boise St in the Mountain West Title game. Two of their losses came to the Broncos. The other loss was a three-point defeat at home to Syracuse.
The Pick with the Explanation
California vs. UNLV 9PM ET—LA Bowl held at SoFi Stadium. The playing field is covered by a roof. California quarterback Fernando Mendoza hit the transfer portal as well as leading receiver Nyziah Hunter. Signs are that Mendoza will not play. UNLV lost a corner to the portal. Backup quarterbacks Chandler Rogers completed only 48% of his passes this season. Third string CJ Harris relieved in the SMU game and was ineffective. UNLV head coach Barry Odom took the Purdue job and will miss the game. Two key playmakers out for the Golden Bears and the Rebels have their dual threat quarterback Hajj Malik Williams under center. He averaged 7.9 yards per pass attempt with 5.5 yards per run this season. Play UNLV -3.