Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Ohio Bobcats Picks and Predictions December 20th 2024

Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Ohio Bobcats December 20th 2024

ESPN is covering the 12:00 ET kickoff as the Ohio Bobcats and Jacksonville State Gamecocks face off at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. This is the StaffDNA Cure Bowl, and even though Jacksonville State is technically the home team, the game is being played on a neutral site. Ohio comes in with a 10-3 record, while Jacksonville State is 9-4. The Bobcats are -2.5-point favorites, and the over/under line is currently 52.5 points.

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Ohio vs. Jacksonville State Key Information

• Teams: Bobcats at Gamecocks
• Where: Camping World Stadium Orlando
• Date: Friday, December 20th
• Betting Odds OHIO -130 | JAXST +107 O/U 52.5

The Bobcats Can Win If…

Ohio heads into Week 14 with a 10-3 record, going 5-0 at home and 4-3 on the road. They’ve been favored in six of their 13 games, winning all six. As underdogs, they are 3-3. Ohio’s average scoring margin is +11.8 points per game, and they’ve gone 9-3 against the spread this season.

Their over/under record is 6-6, with an average line of 47.8 points. This week’s line is set at 52.5 points. Ohio’s games have averaged 46.7 points, and they’ve had 10 games with lower lines and two with higher lines than this week’s total.

Ohio is 5-1 against the spread as the favorite and 4-2 as the underdog. At home, they are 5-0 ATS, covering all four games as the favorite. On the road, they’ve gone 4-3 against the spread.

Ohio’s offense has leaned heavily on their rushing attack, ranking 9th in the nation with 213.9 yards per game on the ground. They also rank 9th in rushing attempts per game, averaging 39.4. Anthony Tyus III has rushed for 1,111 yards, scoring nine touchdowns and averaging 5 yards per carry. The Bobcats are 13th in third-down conversions, converting 48.1% of their attempts, and they are averaging 29.2 points per game, placing them 44th nationally.

Quarterback Parker Navarro has thrown for 2,169 yards, with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, and he has a passer rating of 90. Ohio ranks 91st in passing yards per game. Coleman Owen leads the receiving corps with 1,095 yards and eight touchdowns on 67 catches.

Ohio’s defense has been impressive this season, ranking 13th nationally by allowing just 17.5 points per game. They’ve been especially strong against the run, giving up only 96.1 rushing yards per game, which ranks 10th in the country.

In their recent game against Miami (OH), Ohio’s defense allowed just 3 points and 190 total yards. They held Miami to 63 rushing yards and 127 passing yards, while also forcing an interception.

• Ohio has put together a record of 3-0 over their past three games. In these games, they have a 3-0 record vs the spread and an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Ohio Bobcats have gone 8-2 straight up. In these matchups, they ended with an ATS record of 7-3 and an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Gamecocks Can Win If…

Jacksonville State enters Week 1 against Ohio with a 9-4 record. They’ve been strong at home, going 6-1, but have struggled on the road with a 1-2 mark. The Gamecocks have been favored in eight of their 13 games, posting a 6-2 record as the favorite.

Their ATS record stands at 6-4, and they’ve covered five of seven home games. Jacksonville State has a +10.8 average scoring margin and is 5-3 against the spread as the favorite.

This week’s over/under line is 52.5 points. Jacksonville State’s games have averaged 62.5 points, with their average line at 58.6 points. Their over/under record is 5-5, with an average margin of +1.9 points.

Jacksonville State’s offense has leaned heavily on their run game, ranking 2nd in the nation with 270 rushing yards per game. They are 3rd in rushing attempts, averaging 46.4 per game. Tre Stewart has been the standout performer, rushing for 1,601 yards and scoring 23 touchdowns, averaging 6 yards per carry. Heading into this week, Jacksonville State is 11th in scoring, with 36.7 points per game, and we have them ranked as the 50th best offense in college football.

Quarterback Tyler Huff has thrown for 2,179 yards, with 13 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 94. The Gamecocks are 102nd in passing attempts per game and 103rd in passing yards. Cam Vaughn leads the receiving corps with 620 yards and four touchdowns.

Jacksonville State’s defense put together a strong performance in their recent game, allowing just 12 points in a 52-12 win over Western Kentucky. They held the Hilltoppers to 229 total yards, including 88 rushing yards on 26 attempts and 141 passing yards.

On the season, the Gamecocks rank 63rd nationally, giving up 25.8 points per game. They’ve allowed 215.5 passing yards per game and 171.6 rushing yards, which ranks 120th in the country.

• The Jacksonville State Gamecocks have posted a 3-0 record in their previous three games. In terms of betting, the team went 2-1 ATS in these matchups. Their over/under record in these matchups is 2-1.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Jacksonville State has a record of 8-2. This includes going 7-3 vs. the spread along with an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Lean

Our projections suggest that the Ohio Bobcats will come out on top in their week one matchup against Jacksonville State with a final score of 32-27. Ohio is favored by -2.5 points, and we expect them to cover the spread as the road favorite.

With the over/under line set at 52.5 points, our model is projecting a combined 59 points, making the over the best bet for this matchup.

Weekly College Football Picks from Expert Handicappers

Jacksonville State and Ohio will clash in the Cure Bowl on Friday afternoon in Orlando, with both teams navigating the challenges of leadership changes following championship-winning seasons.

Despite the transitions, the game promises an exciting battle between two of college football’s top rushing offenses, each led by interim coaches aiming to close out the season on a high note.

Leadership Changes Amidst Success

Both programs enter the Cure Bowl following the sudden departure of their head coaches:

• Jacksonville State: Rich Rodriguez, the architect of the program’s move from FCS to FBS, left to take over at West Virginia. Offensive coordinator Rod Smith has stepped in as the interim head coach.
• Ohio: Tim Albin departed for Charlotte shortly after guiding the Bobcats to a Mid-American Conference (MAC) title. Offensive coordinator Brian Smith was named interim head coach.

These transitions, while challenging, have not dampened the resolve of either team, as players and staff aim to carry their winning momentum into the postseason.

Jacksonville State’s Remarkable Journey

In just its second year of FBS competition, Jacksonville State (9-4) has achieved unprecedented success:

• Historic Achievements:
  • Captured the Conference USA championship.
  • Finished second nationally in rushing offense, averaging 267.3 yards per game.
  • Won the New Orleans Bowl in their inaugural FBS season (2022).
• Key Performers:
  • Tre Stewart: Dominated on the ground with 1,604 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns.
  • Tyler Huff: A dynamic dual-threat quarterback who earned Conference USA MVP honors after contributing 1,343 rushing yards, 2,179 passing yards, and 27 total touchdowns.

Their 52-12 victory over Western Kentucky in the CUSA title game showcased the team’s firepower, with Stewart and Huff combining for 543 total yards and six touchdowns.

• Resilience Amid Challenges: Senior defensive end J-Rock Swain reflected on the team’s journey:“We had a lot of guys getting in the portal, a lot of guys coming from the portal, but we still got to stay the course. And everybody believed.”

Ohio’s Drive for History

The Ohio Bobcats (10-3) aim to secure their first-ever 11-win season after a dominant campaign under former head coach Tim Albin:

• Season Highlights:
  • Secured the MAC title with a decisive 38-3 victory over Miami (Ohio).
  • Ranked 12th nationally in rushing offense, averaging 211.5 yards per game.
• Standout Players:
  • Anthony Tyus III: A consistent workhorse with 1,111 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
  • Parker Navarro: The quarterback contributed 943 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, complementing Ohio’s run-heavy scheme.
• Resilience and Focus: Despite the coaching change, interim coach Brian Smith remains optimistic about his team:“The thing with our kids is they’re amazing and they’re resilient, so they’ve bounced back extremely well.”

What’s at Stake in the Cure Bowl?

Both teams have much to gain from this postseason showdown:

• For Jacksonville State:
  • A Cure Bowl win would cap an extraordinary debut season in FBS, cementing their status as one of the sport’s fastest-rising programs.
• For Ohio:
  • A victory would mark the program’s first 11-win season, an achievement that would elevate the Bobcats’ legacy in college football history.

Key Matchup: Ground Games Collide

The Cure Bowl will likely be decided in the trenches, as both teams boast elite rushing attacks:

• Jacksonville State: Powered by Stewart and Huff, the Gamecocks’ ground game is explosive and versatile.
• Ohio: Tyus and Navarro lead a methodical, consistent rushing attack that can wear down opposing defenses.

With both teams relying on their ground games to control the clock and establish momentum, the battle between the offensive and defensive lines will be crucial.

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Challenges of Transition

The rapid turnover in coaching staffs adds an extra layer of complexity to the game. Interim coaches Rod Smith (Jacksonville State) and Brian Smith (Ohio) face the dual challenges of preparing their teams for the game while maintaining focus and morale amidst uncertainty:

• Jacksonville State’s Focus: Balancing celebrations of their CUSA title with preparation for the bowl game.
• Ohio’s Adjustment: Transitioning leadership quickly after their MAC title win, while also navigating potential transfer portal disruptions.

Conclusion: A Bowl Game to Remember

The Cure Bowl offers a compelling narrative of resilience, transition, and triumph. Both Jacksonville State and Ohio have defied expectations throughout their seasons, and Friday’s game serves as an opportunity to showcase their talent and determination on a national stage.

Whether it’s Jacksonville State’s meteoric rise in FBS or Ohio’s quest for program history, fans can expect a thrilling matchup that epitomizes the spirit of college football.