A double overtime loss to Eastern Michigan in Week 3 of last season had things looking grim for Jacksonville State as the Gamecocks stared at an 0-3 start.
The tide quickly shifted for the Gamecocks, however, and they won their next eight games and nine of their next 10 en route to the program’s first ever Conference USA title. JSU defeated Western Kentucky 52-12 in the CUSA championship, avenging a 19-12 loss the Gamecocks suffered to the Hilltoppers a week prior.
But in today’s era of college football, the type of success Jax State had last season inevitably leads to change — especially among Group of Five programs. That’s what happened to the Gamecocks when former coach Rich Rodriguez took the same post at West Virginia. They also lost a chunk of defensive production to the transfer portal.
Charles Kelly was tabbed to replace Rodriguez and was named the new coach in December. He most recently was the co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Auburn. He spent time as an offensive and defensive coach with Jax State from 1994-98.
We’ll see if he can maintain the early FBS success JSU has enjoyed thus far.
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Jacksonville State’s Conference USA Title Betting Odds
Jacksonville State’s odds to win CUSA are +800, via BetMGM.
Jacksonville State’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
Jacksonville State’s win total Over/Under is 6.5, with Under 6.5 at -125 and Over 6.5 at +105.
Jacksonville State Football’s 2025 Schedule
8/28 at UCF
9/6 vs. Liberty
9/13 at Georgia Southern
9/20 vs. Murray State
9/27 at Southern Miss
10/9 at Sam Houston
10/15 vs Delaware
10/29 at Middle Tennessee
11/8 at UTEP
11/15 vs. Kennesaw State
11/22 at FIU
11/29 vs Western Kentucky
Bold indicates CUSA contests
Key Jacksonville State Football Returners
WR Michael Pettway
DL Talan Carter
S Patrick Taylor
Jacksonville State Football Looking To Return To CUSA Championship
It’s going to be a new look roster with nearly all new starters for the Gamecocks this season. They lost four first-team All-CUSA players to graduation and the NFL, all of which were on the offensive side of the ball. I anticipate Cade Cunningham will be the new signal caller for the Gamecocks, but it’s really up in the air as to what we can expect from this new offense and how well they’ll mesh. Jax State led the league in total offense and scoring offense last season, but I don’t think we can expect that same type of attack.
Offensive coordinator Clint Trickett comes from Georgia Southern where he was the passing game coordinator and also spent two seasons at Marshall as the OC. During his stint there, the Thundering Herd rushed for over 200 yards per game. Cunningham was also on that Marshall squad.
The Gamecocks will also need to replace five all-conference players on defense, including some talented edge rushers and defensive backs who followed Rodriguez to WVU. They didn’t bring in a ton of transfers through the portal, but safety Tyrin Taylor, who transferred from Memphis and defensive lineman Kurtis Perry, who transferred from Virginia Tech, could be key additions for this defense.
There’s still plenty to be ironed out for most positions on this team.
Jacksonville State Season Prediction
I predict Jax State won’t win the CUSA Championship and will go Under 6.5 wins.
Between the coaching staff and the roster, there’s just too much turnover within the program for me to trust the Gamecocks to reach another CUSA Championship or to reach seven wins. I think there’s potential to get to a bowl game, but I think that’s the ceiling for this squad in 2025.
