Not many people would’ve predicted Kennesaw State’s upcoming clash with Jacksonville State would be a potential preview of the Conference USA Championship going into the season – or even a couple weeks into the season.
But right now, neither team has lost in CUSA play yet.
Jax State’s success isn’t too surprising considering the Gamecocks won the CUSA title last year. But it would’ve been easy to understand if they took a step back with Charles Kelly being in his first year as the team’s head coach.
Jacksonville State is 6-3 overall and 5-0 against CUSA opponents. The Gamecocks started the year 2-3 with losses to UCF, Georgia Southern – though those two games were decided by single possessions – and Southern Miss.
But since that last loss, Jax State has battled for four straight victories. The Gamecocks beat Sam Houston, Delaware, Middle Tennessee, and UTEP by a collective 21 points.
So Kennesaw State might be their toughest in-conference test yet.
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In Jerry Mack’s first year as head coach, the Owls are 7-2 and 5-0 in the CUSA standings. After falling to Wake Forest 10-9 to start the year and losing in a blowout at Indiana, Kennesaw State hasn’t lost since.
But the Owls have been a bit more decisive with their wins. Four of those games during their seven-game winning streak have been decided by multiple possessions.
Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State Betting Odds
Kennesaw State is a -3 college football betting odds favorite against Jacksonville State, with the Over/Under being 55.5 as of this writing.
The moneyline for Kennesaw State is -170, while it’s +140 for Jacksonville State.
Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State On TV
The matchup between Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State will be televised on ESPNU.
The game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 15. The contest is taking place at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama.
Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State Prediction
I predict Kennesaw State will win and cover the three-point spread. I also project the game will go Under 55.5 total points.
I think this will be a really fun matchup. Led by linebacker Baron Hopson, Kennesaw State is second in Conference USA in scoring defense with 21.1 points per game allowed. The Gamecocks are second in scoring offense with 29.9 points per game scored.
But I think the key will be the other side of the ball. Kennesaw State is fifth in CUSA in scoring offense (26 PPG) and total offense (378.6 yards per game). Jacksonville State, meanwhile, is sixth in total defense (378.6 YPG allowed) and eighth in scoring defense (26 PPG allowed).
Amari Odom has been key in helping Kennesaw State score 33 or more points in three of its last four games. The sophomore quarterback has thrown for 1,264 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions on a 65% completion rate while rushing for 224 yards and four touchdowns.
Gabriel Benyard is Kennesaw State’s leading receiver. He leads the Owls with 568 yards and five touchdowns on 38 catches. Coleman Bennett has a team-high 468 rushing yards to go with 180 receiving yards and four total TDs.
I expect Kennesaw State’s defense will be stout up front and the Owls offense will rise to the occasion to help them stay undefeated in CUSA play.
