James Madison Dukes (11-1) vs. Air Force Falcons (8-4)
At Saturday’s NCAAF Armed Forces Bowl, James Madison Dukes (11-1 record) are set to face Air Force Falcons (8-4 standing). This highly anticipated clash will take place in historic Amon G. Carter Stadium and be broadcast live by ABC; making this game one of the top draws among those seeking NCAAF bowl free picks today.
The Dukes’ successful season has been greatly enhanced by the contributions of Kaelon Black and Elijah Sarratt. Black led all rushers with 594 yards at an average 4.5 yards per attempt while Sarratt led all receivers with 1076 receiving yards and eight touchdowns while providing deep threats with his 14.5 average yards per reception average.
Air Force Falcons players have also stood out, with key contributors like running back Emmanuel Michel racking up 747 yards and 9 touchdowns while wide receiver Jared Roznos has made an impactful statement with 332 receiving yards at an astounding 30.2 yard per catch rate, becoming an invaluable game-changing deep threat.
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 has put up outstanding numbers as the starter for the high-powered James Madison offense. He’s thrown for over 3400 yards with an impressive 32:9 TD to INT ratio. McCloud has great accuracy, completion percentage and doesn’t make many mistakes. His decision making has been stellar all season long. The only knock is he lacks elite arm strength on deep balls. But with the weapons around him, McCloud continues his excellent campaign.
Zac Larrier guides the unique triple-option offense effectively for Air Force. He’s thrown for a modest 744 yards but makes few mistakes. Larrier has just 2 interceptions all year compared to 6 touchdown passes. Most of his damage comes on the ground in this scheme. Larrier has rushed for over 500 yards and 4 scores. His ball protection and decision making will be key in this one.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: James Madison Dukes -140, Total Odds: 41
The odds slightly favor the James Madison Dukes, with a moneyline of -140 and a total points line set at 41, indicating expectations of a relatively low-scoring game.
James Madison Dukes Betting Trends
James Madison has gone 8-2 against the spread (ATS) over their last 10 games. The Dukes offense is playing lights out during this 11-1 campaign. They also have a favorable 13-1 straight up record over the past 14 contests when playing as favorites. This squad led by McCloud continues rolling over opponents.Additionally, the Dukes are 5-1 ATS over their previous 6 road games played on Saturday. This bodes well with the Armed Forces Bowl taking place on Saturday. James Madison’s offense should have no issues scoring and covering in this spot based on trends.
Air Force Falcons Betting Trends
Air Force has struggled down the stretch, going just 1-4 ATS over the last 5 contests. Their triple-option offense lacks explosion, resulting in low point totals. The under has hit in 4 of the Falcons’ previous 6 outings as well. However, Air Force has been solid in December games historically. They are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 December matchups. With time to prepare, the Falcons triple-option attack can still surprise defenses. This trend indicates they may put up a good fight against the Dukes.
James Madison Dukes vs. Air Force Falcons 12/23/23 Betting Picks
Analyzing the trends and performances, James Madison appears to have the upper hand, particularly with their strong ATS record and overall season success. However, Air Force’s resilience, especially in December games, should not be underestimated.
For those consulting the best sportsbooks, this matchup offers intriguing opportunities. While James Madison seems like the safer bet, the Air Force could provide value, especially considering their underdog status and historical performance in December. The total points bet is tricky, but given both teams’ recent trends, betting on the UNDER could be a wise choice.
