Fanatics Promotion

    Ohio vs. Jacksonville State Prediction: Which Ground Game Outlasts the Other?

    No head coach, no problem? Our Ohio vs. Jacksonville State prediction breaks down the action on both sides, including the effect of their departures.

    The Ohio Bobcats and Jacksonville State Gamecocks will meet for the first time in the Cure Bowl this year. However, one side is at a notable disadvantage.

    Who will come out on top? Our Ohio vs. Jacksonville State prediction breaks down everything you need to know — from the latest betting odds to what’s at stake for both teams as they battle in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl.

    CFN CFB Playoff Predictor
    College Football Network’s College Football Playoff Predictor is a tool that allows you to play out various weekly scenarios to see how the CFP picture changes with each scenario.

    Ohio vs. Jacksonville State Cure Bowl Betting Preview

    All Ohio vs. Jacksonville State odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. The CFN spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.

    • CFN FPM Spread
      Ohio -1
    • Spread
      Ohio -3
    • Moneyline
      Ohio -162, Jacksonville State +136
    • Over/Under
      54.5 points
    • Game Time
      Noon ET, Friday, Dec. 20
    • Location
      Camping World Stadium | Orlando, Fla.
    • Predicted Weather at Kick
      61 degrees, 6 mph winds, partly cloudy
    • How To Watch
      ESPN

    Both of these teams are hot against the spread, with Ohio going 6-0 ATS in its last six games and Jacksonville State producing a 6-3 ATS record in its last nine.

    MORE: CFN Betting Parlay Calculator

    The two are also tied at the hip in terms of the total, with the under hitting in four of the Bobcats’ previous five contests and four of the Gamescocks’ past six.

    Ohio’s Winning Probability

    Tim Albin has been with Ohio since 2005. Apparently, 19 years is enough in one place. With Albin off to the Charlotte 49ers, the Bobcats will turn to just its third head coach since 2004. But first, they have one game left in the 2024 season.

    • at Jacksonville State: 50.8%

    Jacksonville State’s Winning Probability

    Rich Rodriguez may be with the West Virginia Mountaineers now, but that doesn’t dilute what he did in his two years with the Gamecocks.

    Jacksonville State went 8-4 in back-to-back regular seasons and went so far as to win the CUSA championship in only its second year at the FBS level. They’ll need a steady hand to maintain that success, but the foundation is set.

    • vs. Ohio: 49.2%

    Prediction for Ohio vs. Jacksonville State

    The Gamecocks completed their dream season with a 42-12 drubbing of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the CUSA Championship Game, but how much gas in the tank do they have left with Rodriguez gone?

    The Bobcats are in a nearly identical situation. They crushed the Miami RedHawks 38-3 for their first-ever MAC title, but Albin is elsewhere, and a cloud of uncertainty looms over the program.

    MORE: Simulate the College Football Season With CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor

    At least neither squad has been decimated by the transfer portal, meaning the depth charts and schemes should remain the same for the rest of the season. So, how does the matchup break down?

    Both sides rank in the top 10 in rush rate (Jacksonville State 67.3%, fourth; Ohio 60.8%, 10th), but only one has been able to slow opposing ground games: the Bobcats.

    • Defensive EPA per rush: Ohio 58th; Jacksonville State 93rd
    • Defensive rush success rate: Ohio 27th; Jacksonville State 91st
    • Defensive net points per drive: Ohio 11th; Jacksonville State 54th

    Prediction: Ohio 34, Jacksonville State 20

    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.

    EA Sports College Football: Everything You Need For the Game’s Historic Return

    After a decade-long hiatus, EA Sports College Football has made its return to glory. The popular college football video game is here to stay, radically changing the video game landscape forever.

    Related Articles