The Jacksonville State Gamecocks (1-3) and Kennesaw State Owls (0-4) will meet for the fifth time in program history on Friday but the first time as FBS programs when they go head-to-head in a Conference USA matchup. One of their previous four matchups was as exciting of a college football game as fans could experience with Kennesaw State defeating Jacksonville State, 60-52, in five overtimes in 2018. The Owls lead the series, 3-1, but Jacksonville State won the most recent Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State, 35-28, in the 2022 college football season. Both teams are 1-3 against the spread this season.
Kickoff is 7 p.m. ET from Fifth Third Bank Stadium on the CBS Sports Network. After opening at -13.5, Jacksonville State is now a 16.5-point road favorite in the latest Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 49.5, up a point from the opener. Before entering any Jacksonville State vs. Kennesaw State picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football spread picks. It also went a sizzling 6-0 on all top-rated college football picks in Week 5. Anyone who has followed it has seen strong returns.
Now, the model has dialed in on Jacksonville State vs. Kennesaw State and just revealed its coveted picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college football odds on the spread, money line and over/under for Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State:
- Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State spread: Jacksonville State -16.5
- Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State over/under: 49.5 points
- Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State money line: Gamecocks -855, Owls +563
- JSU: Jacksonville State is 5-2 ATS over the last two seasons with the rest advantage
- KSU: Kennesaw State is 0-2 ATS as a home underdog this season
- Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State: See picks here
- Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why Jacksonville State can cover
Jacksonville State forced six turnovers, including four interceptions, in its 44-7 victory over Southern Miss on Sept. 21 and the Jaguars enter with extended rest and time to game plan for Kennesaw State following a bye last week. It was the most takeaways in a game for Jacksonville State since 2014 as after allowing 47 points per game over their first three contests, the Gamecocks displayed significant improvement. Jacksonville State holds an FBS experience and success advantage over Kennesaw State as the Gamecocks went 9-4 in their first FBS season last year, meanwhile, the Owls are still seeking their first FBS victory in program history.
Tyler Huff, a dual-threat quarterback, has been one of the most efficient passers in the nation since Week 3, completing 38 of 50 passes (76%) over his last two games, which ranks third in college football. He has four total touchdowns and an interception over that span. Huff has also rushed for at least 75 yards in three straight games. Jacksonville State is led by a proven head coach in Rich Rodriguez, who served as head coach at Michigan, West Virginia and Arizona over his career. Rodriguez is 19-9 in his third season at Jacksonville State and he's had eight winning seasons in his last nine years as a college football head coach. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why Kennesaw State can cover
The Owls enter their first season as an FBS program and although they've struggled with an 0-4 start, an adjustment period is normal for the majority of programs going from FCS to FBS. Kennesaw State is matched against a program that recently had to make that adjustment as Jacksonville State enters its second year in the FBS. The Owls were one of the top programs in the FCS, winning at least 11 games in each season from 2017-2021 (outside of a shortened 2020 season when they went 4-1) before switching conferences in 2022 and playing an independent schedule in 2023 before making the move to Conference USA.
Brian Bohannon has served as head coach in every season of the football program's history, providing stability from the top position in the program. Dual-threat quarterback Davis Bryson is in his third year with the program and he's completed at least 50% of his passes in three of four games this season with a strong understanding of the offense. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Jacksonville State vs. Kennesaw State picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total. It also says one side of the spread hits well over 60% of the time. You can see the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State, and which side of the spread hits in well over 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is up well over $2,000 on top-rated spread picks since its inception, and find out.