Free NCAA Football Prediction: Bobcats vs. Dukes Odds
Looking for Texas State Bobcats vs. James Madison Dukes free picks? College football betting sees the Bobcats taking on the Dukes on Saturday, October 1st at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, VA. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 5 predictions like this TXST-JMU free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 5
(2-2) Texas State Bobcats vs. James Madison Dukes (3-0)
Date: Saturday, October 1st, 2022
Time: 1:30 pm EST
Venue: Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburg, VA
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: TXST +22 | JMU -22 (Bet Now!)
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Bobcats +1000 | Dukes -2100
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 51.5
Harrisonburg will be a really special place this weekend.
The Dukes of JMU pulled off one of the biggest wins in school history in Boone last weekend, and they’ll come out and host the Texas State Bobcats this Saturday on ESPN+. JMU will open as the 22-point favorites, with the total opening at 54.
HISTORY: This will mark the first meeting between these two programs.
Texas State
Texas State comes into conference play with a 2-2 record. The Bobcats lost to Nevada in Week 1, but they bounced back in their home opener against FIU with a 29-point win. They almost covered in a blowout loss to Baylor the following weekend, and last Saturday they were able to strike back against a fellow Lone Star school.
In Week 4, Texas State shutout Houston Baptist, 34-0, improving to 2-2 against the spread this season.
Layne Hatcher will make his fifth start for the Bobcats. The Arkansas State transfer has come in and built a rapport quickly with the receiving core, connecting with six different pass catchers for touchdowns already. He got off in the blowout win last weekend, throwing for 362 yards and four touchdowns.
Hatcher is up to 1,063 passing yards with ten touchdowns to four interceptions on the season.
Calvin Hill has got the bulk of the work through the first month. The fourth-year back had a career day against FIU, going for 195 yards and a touchdown. Hill led the Bobcats in rushing in 2021, and he’s on pace to do so again this season with a team-lead 312 rushing yards.
Ashtyn Hawkins has asserted himself early as the number one read. The sophomore wideout caught 10 balls for 96 yards and two touchdowns in the opener versus Nevada, and he caught a school-record 13 passes for 114 yards and a score. Hawkins has team leads of 33 receptions, 303 receiving yards, and five touchdowns.
James Madison Dukes
JMU’s arrival to the FBS ranks has jumped out to a great start truly. The Dukes blew Middle Tennessee in their home opener, before welcoming in-state foe Norfolk State to town, and sending them back to the 757 with a 56-point loss. The Dukes then faced a mighty challenge, as they’d head to Boone to face a magical program in the community. JMU would create their own fairytale ending instead.
In Week 4, James Madison pulled off a special comeback win over Appalachian State in the Battle of the Blue Ridge, 32-28, after trailing 28-3 at one point.
Todd Centeio has already made his mark on the program and it only took three starts. The senior quarterback displayed a lot of leadership and composure leading that comeback last week, and he makes them threats in the Sun Belt already in their debut season.
Centeio has been dynamic through the first three games, throwing for 656 yards with eleven touchdowns to zero interceptions, and rushing for 200 yards and a score.
Kaelon Black may be the lead back after last weeks performance against App State. The third-year back rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown, and he also added a clutch catch-n-run for a score. Sixth-year back Percy Agyei-Obese has rushed for 170 in two games, and he’s set to return this weekend.
Kris Thornton has been Centeio’s top target early. Despite a very quiet showing versus App State, the veteran receiver recorded 18 catches for 247 yards and a whopping five touchdowns. Junior wideout Reggie Brown is second on the team in receptions (9) and yards (159)
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- TXST are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- JMU are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Bobcats are 3-5 ATS in their last 8 home games.
- Dukes are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games.
Free Week 5 NCAA Football Final Analysis:
There is no way JMU loses this game Saturday. Approach it like Kansas’ home contest last week. The environment will be vibrant, even with the brisk Fall breeze surging in with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
With the storm brewing literally, we have an alternative to the massive 22-point spread. The under has some appeal here, as the pressure of following up such a big win, along with the messy conditions, may alter how well or fast things game is played.
Take the under for Sun Belt matchup, and give JMU’s spread a long as they’ve looked dominant in two home outings.
4* Free Week 5 NCAA Betting Pick: Under 51.5
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