Two former FCS powerhouses face off in a C-USA showdown on Friday night as the Jacksonville State Gamecocks head to Georgia to take on the Kennesaw State Owls. With both teams eager to turn their season around, who will secure their first conference win?
Our Jacksonville State vs. Kennesaw State preview breaks down the matchup, latest betting odds, and each team’s outlook for the remainder of the 2024 college football season.
Jacksonville State vs. Kennesaw State Betting Preview
All Jacksonville State vs. Kennesaw State odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. The CFN Spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Jacksonville State -4 - Spread
Jacksonville State -16.5 - Moneyline
Jacksonville State -750, Kennesaw State +525 - Over/Under
49 points - Game time
7 p.m. ET - Location
Fifth Third Stadium | Kennesaw, GA - Predicted Weather at Kick
60.8 degrees, partly cloudy and humid, 3.7 mph winds - How to Watch
CBS Sports Network
Although this is their first meeting as FBS opponents, the Gamecocks and Owls are no strangers, having faced off four times before, with Kennesaw State holding a 3-1 series advantage.
However, Brian Bohannon’s squad fell short in their most recent matchup in 2022, and our Jacksonville State vs. Kennesaw State preview explains why the visitors are the smarter pick whether betting straight up or including them in a parlay. While there’s strong confidence in this prediction, the spread tells a different story.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
Kennesaw State hasn’t covered since Week 1, where they were 24-point underdogs against UTSA, and Jacksonville State is fresh off their first cover of the season—trends favor the Gamecocks.
Still, the sizable gap between the DraftKings Sportsbook spread and the CFN Football Playoff Meter (FPM) line hints that Jacksonville State may not dominate to the extent the oddsmakers project. Kennesaw State’s struggling offense and a track record of low-scoring games (barring 2021’s 60-52 shootout) indicate the under could be the safer play.
Jacksonville State’s Winning Probability
According to the CFN FPM, Jacksonville State has a 80.2% chance of leaving Georgia with the victory. While that makes the Gamecocks a shorter favorite than the current odds offered by DraftKings Sportsbook, they remain in position to get the road win.
Our metric has correctly predicted the last three Gamecock’s games. Here is how Jacksonville State’s remaining schedule looks in terms of winning probability.
- at Kennesaw State: 80.2%
- vs. New Mexico State: 62.6%
- vs. Middle Tennessee: 61.9%
- at Liberty: 18.9%
- at Louisiana Tech: 61.6%
- vs. FIU: 60.6%
- vs. Sam Houston: 49.2%
- at Western Kentucky: 27.0%
If those winning percentages were to hold true, Jacksonville State would end the season with a 6-6 record and a bowl season berth. While that is something of a fall from grace compared to last season, it would mark something of a recovery for a team that starter the year 1-3.
Kennesaw State’s Winning Probability
Conversely, according to our Jacksonville State vs. Kennesaw State prediction, the Owls have a 38.9% chance of winning this Friday night encounter. The program is one of a small handful of teams yet to win a game in 2024 and succumbed to defeat at the hands of UT-Martin last time out.
The acclimation to the FBS level has been a slow one, but can they prove they belong before the season is out? Here are Kennesaw State’s remaining winning probabilities for the rest of the season:
- vs. Jacksonville State: 21.9%
- at Middle Tennessee: 29.7%
- vs. Liberty: 6.6%
- at Western Kentucky: 7.9%
- at UTEP: 33.6%
- vs. Sam Houston: 18.4%
- vs. FIU: 26.6%
- at Louisiana Tech: 29.7%
The Owls are currently projected to go winless in 2024. However, road matchups with Middle Tennessee, UTEP, and Louisiana Tech or the home clash with FIU offer the best chance of securing a maiden FBS win.
Prediction for Jacksonville State vs. Kennesaw State
After securing their first win of the season against Southern Miss, can Jacksonville State build momentum and kick off a season-defining run with another victory on Friday night? Or will Kennesaw State earn its first win of the year and celebrate its inaugural FBS triumph?
Who holds the edge, and where will the critical matchups unfold?
Kennesaw State’s struggling offense has yet to find its rhythm this season, but facing a Gamecocks defense that’s reeling from the loss of key players might be the perfect remedy.
Jacksonville State ranks 128th in scoring defense, giving up an average of 37.0 points and 463.8 total yards per game.
Rich Rodriguez’s squad also ranks 111th nationally in rushing touchdowns allowed, which could play into the hands of the Owls’ run-heavy offense that features QB David Bryson as much on the ground as in the air.
The Owls have managed just three touchdowns all season, with two coming from the run game. Preston Daniels found the end zone twice, but don’t be surprised if running back Michael Benefield also makes an impact.
However, Jacksonville State’s offense, led by dual-threat QB Tyler Huff, might be too much for the Owls to handle. Huff currently leads CUSA in yards per pass attempt and faces a Kennesaw State defense that has just one interception this season.
The Gamecocks appeared to turn a corner last week—expect that trend to continue.
Prediction: Jacksonville State 30, Kennesaw State 14
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