James Madison Dukes vs W. Kentucky Hilltoppers Point Spread Picks

Western Kentucky beat Jacksonville State 19-17 and then had the misfortune of playing the Gamecocks again the following week in the C-USA championship game, and lost 52-12. However, James Madison also is coming into the Boca Raton Bowl off two straight losses as a favorite to Appalachian State and Marshall and the Dukes have allowed 33.7 points per game their past three games. James Madison is 2-4 ATS its past six games and Western Kentucky has covered four of six as an underdog. The Hilltoppers have won 10 of their past 13 December games outright and 11 of 15 overall. Both teams have lost their starting QBs as Caden Veltkamp of WKU entered the transfer portal and the Dukes' Alonza Barrett III is out with an injury. The Hilltoppers will start sophomore Turner Helton, who completed 11 of 12 passes in very limited action in 2023. Backup QB Dylan Morris, a Washington transfer, will start for the Dukes. Morris has played in one game this year and attempted one pass. Coach Tyson Helton is 4-1 straight up and 3-1-1 ATS in his five bowl games with the Hilltoppers. Take Western Kentucky.