Teams looking to turn their early-season fortunes around meet in non-conference action on Thursday when the Northwestern State Demons clash with the South Alabama Jaguars in Mobile, Ala. This will be the first time the teams have faced each other. The Demons (0-2) are back after having to forfeit five games last season and suffering through a 0-7 mark in the Southland Conference. The Jaguars (0-2), who finished with a 7-6 record in 2023, defeated Eastern Michigan 59-10 in the 68 Ventures Bowl.
Kickoff from Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala., is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. The Jaguars are 36.5-point favorites in the latest South Alabama vs. Northwestern State odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 60.5. Before making any Northwestern State vs. South Alabama picks, make sure you check out what SportsLine expert, Emory Hunt, has to say.
Hunt is the founder and CEO of Football Gameplan, which has been supplying analysis of all levels of football since 2007, and a former running back at Louisiana-Lafayette. He knows the game from a player's perspective.
Hunt's dedication to analysis of all levels of college and professional football helped go 93-78-5 (+777) on all college football picks in 2023. He's also off to an 8-2 start (+570) on college football picks this season. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now Hunt has set his sights on Northwestern State vs. South Alabama and just locked in his picks and CFB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see Hunt's picks. Here are several college football odds and betting lines on the spread, money line and over/under for South Alabama vs. Northwestern State:
- South Alabama vs. Northwestern State spread: South Alabama -36.5
- South Alabama vs. Northwestern State over/under: 60.5 points
- NWST: The Demons are ranked 25th in scoring offense in FCS at 29.5 points per game
- SA: The Jaguars have covered the first-quarter spread in five of their last seven games at home (+2.85 units)
- South Alabama vs. Northwestern State picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why South Alabama can cover
Freshman Fluff Bothwell leads the Jaguars' rushing attack. In two games, he has carried 16 times for 100 yards (6.3 average) and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 34 yards. He racked up 10 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown at Ohio on Saturday. He made his collegiate debut against North Texas, rushing six times for 30 yards and a score.
Sophomore linebacker Blayne Myrick has anchored the defense and is the Jaguars' leading tackler through two games. In the 27-20 loss at Ohio on Saturday, he registered 10 tackles, including six solo, with one forced fumble. He made 12 stops, including three solo, in the opener against North Texas. In limited action last season, he made seven tackles, including six solo. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why Northwestern State can cover
Junior wide receiver Myles Kitt-Denton has shown some explosiveness so far this season. Although he has just four catches, he has 115 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Against Prairie View on Saturday, he caught three passes for 103 yards (34.3 average) and one touchdown, including a long of 71 yards. Kitt-Denton is in his second season with Northwestern State after spending two years at Central Arkansas.
Transfer linebacker Blake Gotcher is already making an impact on defense for the Demons. Gotcher became the first Northwestern State player since 2016 to reach double-figure tackles in his team debut. He made 11 tackles at Tulsa in the opener but was even better against Prairie View A&M on Saturday. In that game, he registered 23 stops, two sacks and a forced fumble. It was the team's first 20-tackle performance since 2019. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Northwestern State vs. South Alabama picks
Hunt is leaning Over on the total. He's also found a critical x-factor that has him jumping on one side of the spread. See what it is at SportsLine.
Who wins Northwestern State vs. South Alabama, and what critical x-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on Thursday, all from the expert who is off to an 8-2 start on CFB picks this season.