Delaware is in its first season in the FBS and is already making its presence felt.
The Blue Hens are 22nd in this week’s HERO Sports Group of Five Top 25 Media Poll. They’re 3-2 overall and 1-1 against Conference USA teams. In their most recent game, they kept it close with CUSA frontrunner Western Kentucky and lost 27-24. In its two games before that, Delaware beat UConn and FIU.
But now the Blue Hens hope to earn its second CUSA win against Jacksonville State, the defending champ of the conference. Jax State is 3-3 overall but 2-0 in the league standings. The Gamecocks have beat Liberty 34-24 and Sam Houston 29-27.
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Delaware vs. Jacksonville State Spread & Betting Odds
Delaware is a -3 college football betting odds favorite against Jacksonville State, with the Over/Under being 57.5 as of this writing.
The moneyline for Delaware is -145, while it’s +120 for Jacksonville State.
Delaware vs. Jacksonville State On TV
The matchup between Delaware and Jacksonville State will be televised on ESPN.
The game will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 15. The contest is taking place at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama.
Delaware vs. Jacksonville State Prediction
I predict Delaware will win and cover the three-point spread. I also project the game will go Under 57.5 total points.
I think both of these teams are facing some pressure, whether it be internally or externally, to prove they are competitive in CUSA. Though keep in mind Delaware isn’t eligible to play in the conference championship due to rules for programs moving up from the FCS to the FBS.
But because of those pressures, I think this starts out as a low-scoring battle. I don’t believe either team will be in a rhythm until after intermission.
But in a game like that, I would imagine Delaware has a better chance to win. I just like how the Blue Hens’ skill position players are performing.
Delaware quarterback Nick Minicucci has thrown for 1,379 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions while completing 65% of his passes and rushing for 128 yards and seven touchdowns. Jo Silver leads the Blue Hens with 373 rushing yards while scoring three TDs on the ground. Wide receivers Kyre Duplessis (22 catches for 340 yards and two TDs), Sean Wilson (21 catches for 236 yards), Jake Thaw (15 catches for 232 yards and one TD), and Ja’Carree Kelly (13 catches for 161 yards and one TD) have made great plays as well.
Jax State and Delaware are both in the top three in CUSA in terms of scoring offense and total offense, but I don’t think either unit really starts playing at a high level until the second half. But I do expect the fourth quarter will be fun to watch and that Delaware will ultimately find a way to win.
