Ready for more “Weekday CUSA” action? Following a pair of low-scoring matchups on Tuesday night, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and Jacksonville State Gamecocks are set to bring some offensive excitement as they face off at AmFirst Stadium.
Our Middle Tennessee vs. Jacksonville State preview covers everything you need, from the latest betting odds to each team’s outlook for the rest of the 2024 college football season.
Middle Tennessee vs. Jacksonville State Betting Preview
All Middle Tennessee vs. Jacksonville State odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. The CFN spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Jacksonville State -8 - Spread
Jacksonville State -20.5 - Moneyline
Jacksonville State -1200, Middle Tennessee +750 - Over/Under
63.5 points - Game time
7:30 p.m ET - Location
AmFirst Stadium | Jacksonville, AL - Predicted Weather at Kick
50 degrees, clear, 4 mph winds - How to Watch
ESPN2
This has traditionally been a happy hunting ground for the Blue Raiders, who take an 18-3-2 head-to-head advantage into Wednesday night’s clash. However, two of those three defeats have occurred in recent outings, with the Gamecocks on a two-game win streak that includes their first-ever CUSA encounter one year ago.
Everything is trending toward Jacksonville State, although the moneyline has tightened since the initial odds were released. That said, the Gamecocks are still a substantial favorite.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
Furthermore, the Gamecocks are on a hot streak covering the spread, going 3-0 in their last three games after starting the year 0-3. They’ve covered the last two as a double-digit favorite, which is what DraftKings Sportsbook has made them here. Middle Tennessee is 2-5 ATS this year, including failing to cover in four of the five games they’ve been underdogs in 2024.
Middle Tennessee’s Winning Probability
According to the CFN FPM, Middle Tennessee has a 26.6% chance of winning on Wednesday night. Having already lost to Western Kentucky and with Liberty still to come, the Blue Raiders have had to face the three best teams in CUSA.
- at Jacksonville State: 26.6%
- at UTEP: 50%
- vs. Liberty: 18.4%
- vs. New Mexico State: 61.9%
- at FIU: 44.4%
Jacksonville State’s Winning Probability
Meanwhile, Jacksonville State has a 73.4% chance of winning the Wednesday night showdown, comfortably their easiest remaining game on the 2024 schedule.
- vs. Middle Tennessee: 73.4%
- at Liberty: 24.7%
- at Louisiana Tech: 52.8%
- vs. FIU: 66.9%
- vs. Sam Houston: 52.8%
- at Western Kentucky: 29.7%
Prediction for Middle Tennessee vs. Jacksonville State
Middle Tennessee aims to get its season back on track this Wednesday night as it heads to Alabama. The first year under head coach Mason has been challenging. Meanwhile, after a rocky start in non-conference play, Rich Rodriguez’s squad is fighting to keep up with the Liberty Flames and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at the top of the CUSA standings.
Can the Blue Raiders avenge last year’s loss to the Gamecocks, or will Jacksonville State secure a third straight conference win to stay in the hunt for the CUSA crown? Who has the advantage, and where will the pivotal battles take place?
According to the Middle Tennessee vs. Jacksonville State odds, the Gamecocks have the upper hand. The teams are mismatched in several areas, starting with the fast-paced offense that Rodriguez employs. Jacksonville State ranks 16th nationally in scoring offense, averaging 39.3 points per game, and an impressive 58.5 points per game in CUSA play.
This offensive firepower is led by quarterback Tyler Huff. The former Furman standout tops CUSA in yards per attempt (9.5 YPA) and has thrown for over 1,000 yards with seven touchdowns. But he’s most dangerous as a dual-threat, leading all CUSA quarterbacks with 503 rushing yards and six scores. Only his teammate Tre Stewart has more rushing touchdowns.
With Huff, Stewart, and Anwar Lewis, the Gamecocks boast the top rushing offense in CUSA for touchdowns (22) and yards per carry (5.53). It’s a top-10 unit nationally that the Blue Raiders may struggle to contain on Wednesday night.
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, Memphis Tigers, and Ole Miss Rebels each rushed for over 200 yards against the Blue Raiders this season. Given that Middle Tennessee has yet to score more than 21 points against any FBS opponent in 2024, keeping up with Huff and company might prove difficult, even with the Gamecocks’ defense not quite at last year’s level.
Prediction: Middle Tennessee 23, Jacksonville State 45
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