Ohio vs Jacksonville State Prediction 12/20/2024
| What: | StaffDNA Cure Bowl |
| When: | Friday, December 20, 2024 at 12:00 pm EST/9:00 am PST |
| Where: | Camping World Stadium (AstroTurf RootZone 3D3), Orlando, Florida |
| Ohio vs Jacksonville State Line: | Ohio -3 |
| Total: | 54.5 |
| TV: | ESPN |
Ohio vs Jacksonville State Preview
Ohio (10-3, 7-1 in MAC) faces Jacksonville State (9-4, 7-1 in Conference USA) in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl early on Friday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Both of these teams finished strong in the Regular Season. The Bobcats are on a 6-game win streak, beating Buffalo by 31 (47-16), patsies Kent State by 41 (41-0), Eastern Michigan by 25 (35-10), Toledo by 17 (24-7), Ball State (by 21 (42-21), and stomping Miami (Ohio) by 35 points in the MAC Championship Game. The Gamecocks have gone 4-1 in their last 5, beating Louisiana Tech by 7 (44-37), Florida International by 3 (34-31), Sam Houston by 10 (21-11), and then losing at Western Kentucky by 2 in the Regular Season finale (19-17). But a week later, Jacksonville State got its sweet revenge in the Conference USA Championship Game, running all over the Hilltoppers at Home in Jacksonville and winning by 40 in a romp to win the conference (52-12). So both of these programs are feeling pretty darn good about themselves.
Ohio Looking For its 6th Straight Bowl Victory Here
Ohio (9-4-0, 8-7-0 O/U) had one of the best ATS records this season in FBS, and the Bobcats (-160 Moneyline) have also been very good in Bowl games, going 5-0 in their last 5 after convincing wins over UAB in the Bahamas Bowl in 2017 (41-6), San Diego State in the Frisco Bowl in 2018 (27-0), Nevada in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in 2019 (30-21), Wyoming in the Arizona Bowl in 2022 (30-27), and Georgia Southern last year in the Myrtle Beach Bowl (41-21). Ohio is 7-8 in its 15 Bowl appearances. This program has streaked in its Bowl games, losing its first 5, winning its next 2, losing the following 3 before winning these last 5. The Bobcats have no players in the Transfer Portal, but did see Head Coach Tim Albin take the job at Charlotte so OC Brian Smith will be the Interim Coach. The key skill guys for the Bobcats are QB Parker Navarro (2,169 yards), RB Anthony Tyus III (1,111 Rushing yards), and WR Coleman Owen (1,105 Receiving yards).
Ohio Betting Trends
- Ohio University is 8-2 SU in it last 10 overall
- The Bobcats are a profitable 6-0 SU/ATS the last 6
- Ohio University is 5-0 SU/ATS in in its last 5 Bowl games
- The Bobcats last Bowl loss was in 2016 (TROY, Dollar General Bowl)
- The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 Ohio University games
Jacksonville State an Impressive 7-2 in Bowl Games
Jacksonville State (7-6-0 ATS, 8-5-0 O/U) has also been very good at the FBS level in its Bowl games, going 7-2 with the Gamecocks winning 5 of their last 6, including last year vs Louisiana in OT in the New Orleans Bowl (34-31). Like Ohio, Jacksonville State (+135 Moneyline) lost its Head Coach, Rich Rodriguez, who decided to head back to West Virginia to be the head man for the Mountaineers once again. The Gamecocks are led by dual-threat QB Tyler Huff (2,179 Passing yards, 13 TD, 6 Interceptions), who along with stud RB Tre Stewart (1,604 Rushing yards, 23 TD, 6.9 ypc) give JSU two nice rushing options with Huff having 1,343 yards on the ground and scoring 14 TD himself (6.2 ypc). WRs Cam Vaughn (620 Receiving yards, 4 TD) and Michael Petway (454 receiving yards, 3 TD, 18.2 ypc) give this team some other productive options. The Gamecocks rank No. 2 in the nation Rushing (267.3 ypg) and No. 16 in Scoring Offense (36.7 ppg) and should not be taken lightly. The staunch Ohio defense will really be put to the test in this one. Most of the JSU players in the Portal are on defense and unlike last year when none of them played, many of them are expected to go this time around.
Jacksonville State Betting Trends
- Jacksonville State is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
- The Under is 4-2 in the Gamecocks last 4 games
- The Gamecocks have scored 42, 44 (2x), 52, 54, and 63 points this season
- Jacksonville State is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
- The Gamecocks are 5-1 ATS in First Half in last 6 (+3.90 Units, 56% ROI)
Ohio vs Jacksonville State Prediction
These two teams are very underrated in the big scheme of things and both come in as winners of their respective conference championship games. Against common opponent Eastern Michigan, Ohio rolled to a 35-10 victory at Home while Jacksonville State lost to the Eagles, 37-34 in Week 3 as the Gamecocks started off 0-3. This one will come down to the Bobcats ability to slow down Jacksonville State, and with the No. 11 ranked scoring Defense (17.5 ppg), they might be able to. And with their own potent Rushing attack (212.2 ypg, #12), Ohio should be able to control the ball and get its fair share of points. With so much running of the football and two decent defenses, this Ohio vs Jacksonville State NCAAF pick will look to the Under with the Bobcats having the 4th best Rush D in the nation. Stewart has 23 Rushing TDs this year, so you know Ohio will do all it can to try and slow him down early on. Ohio has won the Time of Possession battle in its last 7 games. This one should be a great game. And remember the extremely early start time.
Kevin’s Pick: Ohio-Jacksonville State Under 54.5