Ohio Bobcats (9-3) vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks (8-4)
December 20, 2024 12:00 pm EDT
The Line: Jacksonville State Gamecocks +3.5 / Ohio Bobcats -3.5; Over/Under: +54.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Ohio Bobcats and Jacksonville State Gamecocks meet Friday in the college football Cure Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Here’s a Jacksonville State vs Ohio Prediction. This article will include a Jacksonville State vs Ohio Pick.
Ohio Bobcats Betting Preview
The Ohio Bobcats are coming off wins over Toledo, Ball State and Miami Ohio. Ohio has won 3 straight non-home games. Parker Navarro is completing 65.9 percent of his passes for 2,169 yards, 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Coleman Owen and Chase Hendricks have combined for 1,558 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, while Rodney Harris II has 22 receptions.
The Ohio Bobcats ground game is averaging 211.6 yards per contest, and Anthony Tyus III leads the way with 1,111 yards and 9 touchdowns. Defensively, Ohio is allowing 17.5 points and 296.3 yards per game. Blake Leake leads the Ohio Bobcats with 84 tackles, Bradley Weaver has 8 sacks and Tank Pearson has 4 interceptions.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks Betting Preview
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks recently beat FIU, Sam Houston, and they split games with Western Kentucky. Jacksonville State has won 3 of its last 4 non-home games. Tyler Huff is completing 60.6 percent of his passes for 2,179 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Cam Vaughn and Michael Pettway have combined for 1,074 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns, while Brock Rechsteiner has 13 receptions.
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks ground game is averaging 267.3 yards per contest, and Tre Stewart leads the way with 1,604 yards and 23 touchdowns. Defensively, Jacksonville State is allowing 25.8 points and 385.7 yards per game. Fred Perry leads the Jacksonville State Gamecocks with 97 tackles, Reginald Hughes has 4.5 sacks and Zechariah Poyser has 3 interceptions.
Why the Jacksonville State Gamecocks will win
- Jacksonville State has won nine of its last 10 games.
- Jacksonville State has covered the spread in four of its last five games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
Total Points Facts
- Five of Jacksonville State’s last six games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Four of Ohio’s last five games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Jacksonville State ranks 2nd among FBS teams for rushing yards per game this season (267.3).
- Jacksonville State ranks 8th among FBS teams for 1st downs this season (300).
- Ohio ranks 2nd among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (1.2).
- Ohio ranks 5th among FBS teams for rushing yards allowed per game this season (95.5).
Jacksonville State vs Ohio Prediction
The Ohio Bobcats head into this contest hot, and that includes 6 straight covers. Jacksonville State will also be without some key players, which includes safety Zechariah Poyser, who is currently being recruited by SEC programs. I understand Ohio being the favorite. However, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks are a prideful bunch with one of the best offenses in the country. We saw Jacksonville State lose to WKU and then respond with a dominating performance the very next week to win the CUSA title. I’m just not a fan of giving a team points that can already score by the boatload. Give me the Gamecocks and the points.
