The Jacksonville State Gamecocks and the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers meet Saturday in college football action from Brooks Stadium. Jacksonville State is coming off a matchup versus East Tennessee State. In that one the Gamecocks bagged a blowout victory. As for Coastal Carolina, they played UCLA in their first action of the year this past weekend. The Chanticleers would go on to fall by two scores. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Jacksonville State Gamecocks

The Gamecocks have two games in the bag already. The first was an August 26 matchup versus UTEP. Jacksonville State had a 17-7 lead going into the final quarter and held on for the win 17-14. Quarterback Zion Webb finished with 67 pass yards and 55 rush yards. Malik Jackson (76 yards) and Ron Wiggins (63 yards) each had a TD on 13 carries apiece. 

In game two versus East Tennessee State, the Gamecocks scored points in every quarter during a dominant win 49-3. Logan Smothers threw for 127 yards and a TD, and Jackson paced the rush again on 100 yards and a score. 

Jacksonville State Gamecocks Team Facts

Jacksonville State has lost six of its last seven road openers.
The home team has covered the spread in each of Jacksonville State’s last three games.
Jacksonville State has lost the first half in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
Six of Jacksonville State’s last seven games in September have gone UNDER the total points line.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 

Over on the Coastal Carolina side, they played UCLA in their first matchup of the season. the Chanticleers were down 14-13 heading into the fourth quarter but couldn’t score from there in a 27-13 defeat. Grayson McCall threw for 271 yards with a TD and two picks, while Sam Pinckney led the receivers on nine catches, 139 yards and a score. 

Coastal Carolina had a pretty up-and-down day on defense as well, giving up 417 total yards (153 rushing), 7.0 yards per play, 20 first downs and 7-of-12 on third-down tries. The Chanticleers forced three interceptions and held UCLA to 25:10 in time of possession, though. 

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Team Facts

Coastal Carolina has won each of its last nine games against non-conference opponents at Brooks Stadium.
Coastal Carolina has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
Coastal Carolina has won the first quarter in eight of its last 10 games against non-conference opponents at Brooks Stadium.
Coastal Carolina has lost the first half in each of its last three games against non-conference opponents.
Four of Coastal Carolina’s last five games have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Coastal Carolina ranked T4th among FBS teams for Q1 win percentage last season (.692).
Coastal Carolina ranked 11th among FBS teams for Q1 points per game last season (9.1).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I might take a stab on Jacksonville State here. The Gamecocks played a pretty gutsy opener game versus UTEP and powered out a nice victory. In that one Jacksonville State finished with 275 yards (208 rushing) and zero turnovers to the Miners’ three. The Gamecocks couldn’t do much through the passing game though (67 yards), and had just 15 first downs. In game two Jacksonville State got (mildly) better through the air with 127 yards but the rush was where the team really excelled on 237 yards. The Gamecocks came up with four turnovers and had zero themselves, which really put the exclamation point on the win. I like Jacksonville State to keep it rolling, but I’d also like to see some more balanced numbers via the passing game.