South Alabama will look to continue its winning momentum over the past few years.
Since joining the Sun Belt in 2012, the Jaguars never had a winning season until going 10-3 in 2022. Now the Jaguars have put together three straight winning records after consecutive 7-6 seasons. Last year concluded with a 30-23 win over Western Michigan in the Salute To Veterans Bowl.
While the Jaguars were hit hard by departures through graduation and the transfer portal, there is enough talent to continue the winning ways and even challenge in the Sun Belt West.
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South Alabama Football’s Sun Belt Title Betting Odds
South Alabama’s odds to win the Sun Belt are +700, via BetMGM.
South Alabama Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
- South Alabama’s win total Over/Under is 6.5.
- The Under is at +110.
- The Over is at -130.
South Alabama Football’s 2025 Schedule
- 8/30 vs Morgan State
- 9/6 vs Tulane
- 9/13 at Auburn
- 9/20 vs Coastal Carolina
- 9/27 at North Texas
- 10/4 at Troy
- 10/14 vs Arkansas State
- 10/23 at Georgia State
- 11/1 vs Louisiana
- 11/15 at ULM
- 11/22 vs Southern Mississippi
- 11/29 at Texas State
Bold indicates SBC contests
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Key South Alabama Football Returners
2024 All-Sun Belt 2nd Team
LB Blayne Myrick
3rd Team
OL Jordan Davis
South Alabama Season Preview
Jaguars Competing To Replace Gio Lopez At QB
The quarterback job appears to be a battle between junior Bishop Davenport and Georgia Tech transfer Zach Pyron. Both are looking to replace Gio Lopez, who transferred to North Carolina.
Davenport appeared in 11 games last season, completing 48 of 79 passes for 604 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He also rushed for 161 yards and one touchdown. Davenport started twice, including in the bowl win over Western Michigan when he completed 15 of 24 throws for 271 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception while rushing for 85 yards and a score on 11 carries.
Pyron was at Georgia Tech for three years. Last season for the Yellow Jackets, Pyron completed 35 of 65 passes for 409 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also rushed for 115 yards and four touchdowns.
South Alabama’s Offense Could Be Explosive
Running back Kentrel Bullock leads the ground game after rushing for 832 yards and seven touchdowns.
Wide receiver Devin Voisin, a seventh-year graduate student, appeared in all 13 games with 10 starts. He had 34 receptions for 407 yards. Among newcomers expected to contribute at receiver are Brendan Jenkins, who had 61 receptions for 561 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games during his two seasons as Samford, and Anthony Eager, who had 10 receptions for 133 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games last season for South Alabama.
The offensive line is among the strongest units on the team. The anchor of the offensive line is redshirt senior left tackle Jordan Davis, who started all 13 games last season. He has started 22 games in his first two seasons at South Alabama after beginning his career at South Carolina. Malachi Preciado is another key veteran who started all 13 games last season at center. Kenton Jerido started all 13 games at guard. Asher Hale appeared in 12 games at guard last season as a true freshman and started in the bowl game.
Linebackers Key To South Alabama’s Defense
The most experienced position on the defense is linebacker, led by Blayne Myrick, who accumulated a team-high 101 tackles including eight tackles for loss and two sacks along with one interception and three pass breakups. Fellow linebacker Darius McKenzie was third in tackles with 72 including 3.5 tackles for loss. He also had four pass breakups.
Safety Wesley Miller is the veteran in the secondary after contributing 59 tackles and three interceptions.
There are no starters returning on the defensive line, although defensive end Tyler Thomas played in all 13 games, making 20 tackles. Defensive tackle Ed Smith IV also appeared in all 13 games, making 23 tackles.
Aleksi Pulkkinen, who hails from Finland, could be among the better punters in the Sun Belt. He averaged 41.3 yards per punt last year.
South Alabama Football Season Prediction
While I don’t like South Alabama to win the Sun Belt, I think the Jaguars will be a viable contender. I predict South Alabama will win seven games.
The non-league schedule is extremely challenging. The Jaguars have to face two strong American Conference teams, Tulane at home and North Texas on the road, in addition to visiting Auburn. The other non-conference game is against visiting Morgan State.
Even going 1-3 in the non-conference schedule, the Jaguars could go 6-2 in the Sun Belt. While that won’t be easy, this is a talented roster. If the Jaguars can get consistent play out of whomever wins the quarterback job, this is a team that should score plenty of points. How the relatively inexperienced defense comes along will be a major factor in determining the Jaguars’ success.
