Troy Trojans (8-5) vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks (8-5)
December 16, 2025 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Jacksonville State Gamecocks +2 / Troy Trojans -2; Over/Under: 48.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Troy Trojans and Jacksonville State Gamecocks meet Tuesday in the college football Veterans Bowl at Cramton Bowl. Here’s a Jacksonville State vs Troy Prediction. This article will include a Jacksonville State vs Troy Pick.
Troy Trojans Betting Preview
The Troy Trojans just beat Southern Miss and lost to James Madison. Troy has split its last 6 games. Tucker Kilcrease is completing 59.3 percent of his passes for 1,421 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. RaRa Thomas and Tray Taylor have combined for 1,090 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, while DJ Epps has 44 receptions.
The Troy Trojans ground game is averaging 98.8 yards per contest, and Tae Meadows leads the way with 695 yards and 6 touchdowns. Defensively, Troy is allowing 24.5 points and 380.3 yards per game. Jordan Stringer leads the Troy Trojans with 107 tackles, Donnie Smith has 10 sacks and Jaquez White has 3 interceptions.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks Betting Preview
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks just beat Western Kentucky and lost to Kennesaw State. Jacksonville State has won 7 of its last 10 games. Caden Creel is completing 60.7 percent of his passes for 1,341 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. Brock Rechsteiner and Deondre Johnson have combined for 979 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, while Pearson Baldwin has 25 receptions.
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks ground game is averaging 258 yards per contest, and Cam Cook leads the way with 1,659 yards and 16 touchdowns. Defensively, Jacksonville State is allowing 26.2 points and 391.2 yards per game. Walker O’Steen leads the Jacksonville State Gamecocks with 80 tackles, Emmanuel Oyebadejo has 4.5 sacks and Caleb Nix has 4 interceptions.
Why the Jacksonville State Gamecocks will win
- Jacksonville State has won five of its last six games as an underdog in Alabama.
- Jacksonville State has covered the spread in five of its last six games as an underdog in Alabama.
- Troy has lost the first half in four of its last five games against opponents from the Conference USA.
Why the Troy Trojans will win
- Troy has won eight of its last nine games against teams from Alabama.
- Jacksonville State has lost four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
- Troy has covered the spread in nine of its last 10 games in December.
- Jacksonville State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last three games against non-conference opponents.
- Jacksonville State has lost the first half in three of its last four games against opponents from the Sun Belt Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Troy’s last five games have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Four of Jacksonville State’s last five games against opponents from the Sun Belt Conference have gone OVER the total points line.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks Player Prop Facts
- Heading into the bowl games, Cam Cook ranks 1st amongst FBS players for rushing yards (1661) this season.
Troy Trojans Player Prop Facts
- Heading into the bowl games, Donnie Smith ranks 1st in the Sun Belt Conference for sacks (10.0) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Eight of Jacksonville State’s 13 games this season have been decided by a margin of seven points or less – equal-most amongst FBS teams.
- Jacksonville State ranks 4th among FBS teams for rushing yards per game this season (258.2).
- Troy ranks 130th among FBS teams for rushing yards per game this season (98.8).
- Troy ranks 126th among FBS teams for Q1 points per game this season (2.9).
Jacksonville State vs Troy Prediction
This should be a fun, well attended bowl game, which is often rare for early bowls many don’t care about. Jacksonville State and Troy had successful seasons, and now these two Alabama schools get to play each other in Alabama. This one will have some energy. Troy is getting the early love because the Trojans have covered 8 of their last 10 games and are 9-4 ATS on the season. However, Troy has scored 14 or fewer points in 3 of its last 5 games and has had issues finishing drives offensively all season. Troy is also 108th in run defense, which isn’t ideal in this particular matchup.
Jacksonville State has a top-10 rush offense and led by one of the best running backs in the country in Cam Cook. Caden Creel is also a playmaking quarterback who topped 1,000 rushing yards himself this season. Only Navy has more rushing yards than Jacksonville State this season. This feels like a spot where Jacksonville State can control the trenches and run the ball with great success. Not sure why the Gamecocks are underdogs, but I’m not asking questions. Give me the points.
