Jacksonville State hasn’t lost since September. Not bad for a program that’s been in the FBS for just three years.
The Gamecocks, the reigning Conference USA champion, is 7-3 overall and is on top of the CUSA standings again at 6-0 in league play. They started out 2-3 overall with losses to UCF and Georgia Southern, both by one possession, as well as Southern Miss.
But that Golden Eagles loss was their last one up until this point. They’ve won five straight. None of those matchups have been decided by more than 13 points, but they’ve found ways to win nonetheless.
And one more win secures Jax State a place in the Conference USA Championship.
The Gamecocks will next play Florida International (5-5, 3-3). The Panthers, in head coach Willie Simmons’ first year, have a chance to earn bowl-eligibility.
After starting out 3-5 – though they did beat Western Kentucky and in-state opponent FAU during that stretch – FIU has battled back with wins over Middle Tennessee and Liberty.
Jacksonville State vs. FIU Spread & Betting Odds
FIU is a -1.5 college football betting odds favorite against Jacksonville State, with the Over/Under being 56.5 as of this writing. The moneyline for Jacksonville State is -105, while it’s -115 for FIU.
Jacksonville State vs. FIU On TV
The matchup between Jacksonville State and FIU will be televised on CBSSN. The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 22. The contest is taking place at Pitbull Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Jacksonville State vs. FIU Prediction
I predict FIU will win and cover the 1.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 56.5 total points.
This is a battle between two top-five offenses in Conference USA.
The Gamecocks are second in CUSA in scoring offense (30.4 points per game) and third in total offense (417.7 yards per game). The Panthers are fourth in scoring offense (28.8 PPG) and fifth in total offense (391.4 YPG).
Even though Jacksonville State has won more often this season, I think FIU has started to find its stride. That’s even while Group of Five Preseason All-American quarterback Keyone Jenkins has been sidelined with an injury and Joe Pesansky has been starting at quarterback the last two games.
But no matter who starts at QB, I like how the Panthers have played on both sides of the ball.
FIU running back Kejon Owens has been electric. He’s eighth in the country with 1,039 yards, tied for 29th with 10 touchdown runs, and 38th with 6.1 yards per rush. Alex Perry leads the Panthers with 567 yards and six touchdowns on 42 catches.
At home, I think FIU scores too often for Jacksonville State to keep up.
