James Madison vs. Air Force 12/23/23 – As the latest NCAAF bowl picks are taking shape, we’re gearing up for a thrilling Armed Forces Bowl clash between the James Madison Dukes and the Air Force Falcons. The Dukes, boasting an impressive 11-1 record, are set to take on the Falcons, who hold a respectable 8-4 standing. This matchup promises to be a captivating display of collegiate football prowess.
James Madison vs. Air Force 12/23/23
| When: | Saturday, December 23, 2023, at 3:30 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Amon G. Carter Stadium |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Madison | -1.5 -110 | o40.5 -110 | -125 |  |
| Air Force | +1.5 -110 | u40.5 -110 | +105 | |
| ||||
Great energy out there today!
📸 https://t.co/WOxZHUFE5z#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/Va6gT4nDmr
— JMU Football (@JMUFootball) December 20, 2023
Jordan McCloud QB vs. Zac Larrier QB
Jordan McCloud of James Madison University has had an incredible season as quarterback. Completing 261 out of 379 attempts with an astounding completion percentage of 68.9% and average pass attempt yardage average of 9 per attempt reflect his precision and depth in the game, while his high passer rating (167.3) in spite of 19 sacks speaks to his resilience under pressure; combined with an eye for openings combined with staying calm under pressure makes him an undeniably formidable force on the field.
Zac Larrier leads an Air Force rushing offense that averages 292 yards per game on the ground. The junior is a true dual-threat, completing 59.7% of his 62 pass attempts for 744 yards, 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He also has 309 rushing yards and 2 scores. Larrier poses a unique challenge for defenses with his combination of speed and athleticism. The Dukes must account for his scrambling ability while also containing the Falcons’ ground attack. Larrier’s season-high 94 yard TD pass shows his potential in the play action passing game.
Explosive Dukes Offense Takes On Stingy Air Force Defense
The Dukes have one of the most explosive offenses in college football, averaging 44.8 points per game. Jordan McCloud spreads the ball around to weapons like WR Elijah Sarratt (1,076 yards, 8 TD) and RB Kaelon Black (594 rush yards, 4.5 ypc). James Madison has big play potential both through the air and on the ground. They take on an Air Force defense holding opponents to just 19.8 points per contest. The Falcons are disciplined and assignment-sound. They rarely beat themselves. James Madison faces a tough test moving the ball against the Falcons’ 3-3-5 scheme.
Run-Heavy Falcons Attack Meets James Madison’s Solid Defense
Air Force boasts a dominant rushing offense that could present problems for the Dukes defense. The Falcons average 292 rush yards per game utilizing their flexbone triple-option attack. RB Emmanuel Michel leads the way with 747 yards and 9 TD. Dual-threat QB Zac Larrier poses another threat on the ground with his scrambling ability. The Dukes allow only 304 total yards per game on defense. They have held up well against the run this season besides a bad outing against Marshall. James Madison must set the edge and force the Falcons into third and long situations where they are more one-dimensional.
NCAAF Betting Odds: James Madison Dukes -140, Over/Under: 41
Considering the current betting odds, the Dukes are favored, but the Falcons cannot be underestimated, especially given their past performances in December and underdog status.
Trends
James Madison Dukes Betting Trends
James Madison are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of James Madison’s last 5 games.
James Madison are 14-1 SU in their last 15 games.
James Madison are 13-1 SU in their last 14 games played on a Saturday.
Dukes are 13-1 SU in their last 14 games when playing as the favourite.
James Madison are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games played on a Saturday when playing on the road.
Air Force Falcons Betting Trends
Air Force are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Air Force’s last 6 games.
Air Force are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games.
Air Force are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games played in December.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Air Force’s last 5 games played on a Saturday.
Air Force are 6-13 SU in their last 19 games when playing as the underdog.
James Madison Dukes vs. Air Force Falcons Betting Picks
Considering the statistics and trends, James Madison Dukes seem to have an upper hand in this matchup. Their offensive strength, led by McCloud, along with a solid defense, makes them a safer bet. However, the Air Force Falcons have shown resilience and could leverage their underdog status to create surprises.
For those looking at the best online sportsbook options, it’s advisable to consider the over/under carefully, given both teams’ recent trends. The Dukes are likely to push for a higher-scoring game, while the Falcons might aim to keep it tight and low-scoring.
Score Prediction: James Madison 28, Air Force 20
