The Texas State University-San Marcos Bobcats (2-2, 0-2 Away) get their Sun Belt Conference schedule underway against the James Madison University Dukes (3-0, 1-0 SBC) at Showker Field at Bridgeforth Stadium on Saturday in a matchup that pits one of the SBC’s most potent passing offenses against one of its best aerial defenses. The Dukes are 21.5-point favorites, and the total is 50.5. Texas State is coming off a dominant 34-0 win over Houston Christian at Jim Wacker Field at Bobcat Stadium last Saturday. Layne Hatcher threw for 362 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. Lincoln Pare ran 19 times for 84 yards. He added four receptions for 39 yards. Marcell Barbee caught six passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. James Madison beat Appalachian State 32-28 at Kidd Brewer Stadium last Saturday. Todd Centeio was 16 of 28 for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Kaelon Black scored on the ground and through the air. He carried 18 times for 85 yards and a touchdown. Reggie Brown caught four receptions for 81 yards.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Bobcats are averaging 24.0 points per game so far this season, 97th in FBS, and they are facing a Dukes defense that has surrendered 14.0 PPG (13th). Meanwhile, James Madison has scored 46.3 points a game this season, ninth in the country, and Texas State is allowing 23.0 PPG (58th).The Bobcats rank as one of the country’s worst teams in rushing yards per game (103.3, 113th), while they are 50th in passing yards (265.8). They will face a particularly tough test on the ground, as the Dukes are No. 1 in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (28.0). Against the pass, James Madison is 27th (181.7).James Madison has been one of the country’s top rushing teams, averaging 222.7 yards per game (15th), while ranking 75th in passing yards (239.3). The Bobcats are allowing 176.5 passing yards (24th) and 131.0 rushing yards per game (57th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through four games, Hatcher has thrown for 10 touchdowns (4 INT) and 265.8 yards per game to lead Texas State in passing. In two away games this season, he has three TDs (2 INT) and an average of 237.5 yards passing. Calvin Hill leads the team in rushing with an average of 78.0 yards a game over four games. He has one touchdown on the ground. Ashtyn Hawkins is the Bobcats’ leading receiver with 75.8 yards a game and five TDs. Centeio has 11 passing touchdowns with 218.7 yards per game through three games to lead James Madison. In two home games this season, he has thrown for nine TDs and an average of 226.0 yards. Centeio also leads the team in rushing with an average of 66.7 yards per game. He has one touchdown on the ground. Kris Thornton has been a key target in the Dukes’ passing game. He has five touchdowns and an 82.0 yard per game average through three appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
James Madison (-2000)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
