Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Sam Houston Bearkats 9/28/2023: Thursday night college football serves up an enticing matchup as the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (3-1) journey to Elliot T. Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas, to face off against the Sam Houston State Bearkats (0-3). Both teams have navigated their fair share of challenges this season, making this game a crucial encounter for both programs. As we delve into Week 5 college football predictions, let’s explore all the details of this eagerly anticipated clash. The best college football betting picks are updated online for bettors to place their bets on their favorite teams. Don’t forget to check the odds and insights on the best college football betting site.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Sam Houston Bearkats 9/28/2023 Game Info
| When: | Thursday, September 28, 2023 |
| Time: | 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Elliot T. Bowers Stadium |
Rich Rodriguez vs. K.C. Keeler
Jacksonville State’s 2023 campaign kicked off on a promising note, with the team sporting an impressive 3-1 record. They’re riding high after a dominant 21-0 victory over Eastern Michigan, where they showcased their dominance on both sides of the ball.
In that game, Jacksonville State’s offense amassed 388 total yards, while their defense limited Eastern Michigan to a mere 152 yards of total offense. The Gamecocks also forced three turnovers, highlighting their defensive prowess. Quarterback Logan Smothers maintained composure, throwing for 277 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Malik Jackson leads the ground attack with 376 yards and two touchdowns, while Quinto Lane is the top receiver, contributing 140 yards and one touchdown reception. Kolbi Fuqua leads the defense with 34 tackles, and impressively, Jacksonville State’s defense has recorded 14.0 quarterback sacks and seven interceptions this season.
In stark contrast, the Sam Houston State Bearkats are still chasing their first victory this season. They enter this game with a 0-3 record, suffering their most recent loss, a 38-7 defeat at the hands of the Houston Cougars. It was a tough outing for the Bearkats, as they were limited to just 178 yards of total offense while committing two turnovers. In comparison, they allowed Houston to amass a whopping 538 yards of total offense. Quarterback Grant Gunnell faced challenges, passing for just 100 yards with one interception.
Offensive struggles have plagued the Bearkats this season. Quarterback Keegan Shoemaker has thrown for 191 yards but has been hampered by three interceptions. On the ground, Zach Hrbacek leads the team with only 43 yards, while Ife Adeyi is the top receiver with 74 yards. Defensively, linebacker Trevor Williams stands out with 34 tackles, but the Bearkats have struggled to generate turnovers, with zero interceptions and just 2.0 quarterback sacks.
NCAAF Latest Odds: JVST -5.5 ; O/U 37
While Jacksonville State may emerge victorious on Thursday, the betting play here leans toward the UNDER. In seven of Jacksonville State’s last eight games, the UNDER has proven a winning bet. Furthermore, in four of the last five games Jacksonville State has played during September, the UNDER has cashed.
The Bearkats have grappled mightily offensively this season, averaging a mere 3.3 points per game while conceding an average of 21.7 points per game. Jacksonville State’s defense, on the other hand, has been impressive, allowing just an average of 11.7 points per game.
Taking a closer look at the betting trends for both teams, Jacksonville State has covered the spread in two of their opportunities when playing as at least 6.5-point favorites this season. While Jacksonville State hasn’t hit the over in any of their games this year, they have managed to exceed the 36.5-point total on more than one occasion.
Sam Houston State, on the other hand, has prevailed against the spread twice this season, covering when they were underdogs by 6.5 points or more. The Bearkats have also gone over the total once this season, surpassing the 36.5-point threshold.
Jacksonville State Betting Trends
Jacksonville State are 8-4 ATS in their last 12 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Jacksonville State’s last 8 games.
Jacksonville State are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games.
Jacksonville State are 4-16 SU in their last 20 games on the road.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Jacksonville State’s last 5 games played in September.
Jacksonville State are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games played in week 5.
Sam Houston State Betting Trends
Sam Houston State are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games.
Sam Houston State are 0-10 SU in their last 10 games.
Sam Houston State are 0-8 SU in their last 8 games played in September.
Sam Houston State are 0-6 SU in their last 6 games played in week 5.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs. Sam Houston Bearkats Betting Pick
In summary, Thursday night’s showdown between the Jacksonville State Gamecocks and the Sam Houston State Bearkats promises to be a compelling matchup. Jacksonville State seeks to continue its strong start to the season, while Sam Houston State aims to secure its elusive first win. With the Gamecocks’ impressive defense and the Bearkats’ offensive struggles, the UNDER appears to be an appealing betting choice. However, college football often delivers surprises, so fans can anticipate an exciting and unpredictable contest. The college football betting picks favor the Gamecocks to secure a victory in this game. Don’t forget to check the odds and insights on the best betting sites for the latest updates.
Score Prediction: Gamecocks 24, Bearkats 7.
