Bowl season is firmly upon us and as such, it’s imperative for your viewing pleasure that you understand what games you’re watching and who you’re watching on the field. In the StaffDNA Cure Bowl, the Ohio Bobcats and Jacksonville State Gamecocks match up as a battle between two conference champions.
However, after both head coaches left their respective programs, will each team even be remotely close to full strength?
Top Ohio Players Not Playing in Cure Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Bobcats won’t be in action in the Cure Bowl. However, we don’t even need to use the opt-out tracker for OU this time around.
As surprising as this may sound, the Bobcats have not seen one player enter the transfer portal since head coach Tim Albin took over the Charlotte 49ers. In fact, Ohio appears to be at complete full strength for the Cure Bowl as there have been no public announcements of players opting out for the game.
On the injury front, they Bobcats are also likely to be no different than the team that won the MAC Championship just two weeks prior.
S Jeremiah Wood, WR Delaney Crawford, and TE Nick Segarra are likely out, but neither recorded meaningful playing time, nor any statistics in general this season. Despite not having their head coach, the Bobcats appear to be at full strength against the Gamecocks.
Top Jacksonville State Players Not Playing in Cure Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Gamecocks won’t be in action in the Cure Bowl.
Unlike their counterparts, Jacksonville State saw a mass exodus after head coach Rich Rodriguez accepted the head coaching job at West Virginia. As Rich Rod re-takes over at WVU, JSU lost 13 players to the transfer portal.
- Reginald Hughes, LB, Jacksonville State (transfer portal)
- Geimere Latimer, CB, Jacksonville State (transfer portal)
- Fred Davis II, CB, Jacksonville State (transfer portal)
- Zechariah Poyser, S, Jacksonville State (transfer portal)
- Cam Vaughn, WR, Jacksonville State (transfer portal)
- Jibreel Al-Amin, LB, Jacksonville State (transfer portal)
- Jackson Veasy, DL, Jacksonville State (transfer portal)
- Te’Sean Smoot, QB, Jacksonville State (transfer portal)
- Tee Denson, CB, Jacksonville State (transfer portal)
- K.D. Arnold, OT, Jacksonville State (transfer portal)
- Jaleel Birdsong, LB, Jacksonville State (transfer portal)
- Tar’Varish Dawson, WR, Jacksonville State (transfer portal)
- Anthony Benjamin, WR, Jacksonville State (transfer portal)
Of those players, Cam Vaughn represents the largest loss on offense. The team leader in receptions, yards, and receiving touchdowns, Vaughn’s loss takes away the top target for the Jacksonville State passing game.
The rushing attack stays relatively intact for the Gamecocks, though right tackle K.D. Arnold had provided great depth after starting three games to open the season.
On defense, it’s a different story for Jacksonville State in the Cure Bowl.
MORE: Ohio vs. Jacksonville State Prediction
Hughes was third on the team in total tackles while also leading the team with 4.5 sacks. Latimer tied for the team lead with three interceptions while also finishing seventh on the team with his 42 total tackles.
A valuable addition at cornerback, Davis brought down four pass breakups while Poyser was fourth on the team with 75 total tackles from his safety spot. Poyser also tied Latimer with a team-high three interceptions while also contributing eight pass breakups.
Al-Amin and Denson were role players who made some significant impact on defense, and would have been in line to start for both Hughes and Latimer.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.