The Jacksonville State Gamecocks began their quest to return to the top of the Ohio Valley Conference on the right foot, with an impressive showing against Tennessee Tech.
Next up on the Gamecocks’ revenge tour is another Volunteer State opponent in the Tennessee State Tigers, who are coming off a defeat at the hands of Austin Peay. Jacksonville State is laying a big 19-points, but is that enough to scare us away from the favorite?
Check out our best college football free picks and predictions for Jacksonville State vs. Tennessee State, with kickoff set for Sunday, March 7 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Tennessee State Tigers betting preview
Weather
It should be a beautiful spring afternoon for some college football in Nashville, Tennessee this Sunday. The forecast is calling for clear skies with temperatures hovering around the 60-degree mark and minimal wind at kickoff.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
After winning the Ohio Valley Conference championship for five straight seasons between 2013 and 2018, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks are looking to put a disappointing 2019 behind them and they have gotten off to a good start.
Jacksonville State was one of the few FCS programs to actually play at least a partial fall schedule, putting up an impressive 3-1 record which included an FBS win over FIU. They even led Florida State 21-14 at the half as 27.5 point underdogs, as well, before the Seminoles mounted a comeback.
The Gamecocks seemed to carry that momentum over to their spring schedule, opening with a 27-10 win over Tennessee Tech. JSU ran all over Tennessee Tech, rumbling for 274 yards on 6.2 yards per carry, while quarterback Zion Webb was efficient, going 12-of-19 for 125 yards and a touchdown.
That doesn’t bode well for a Tennessee State team that allowed Austin Peay to put up 250 yards in last week’s 27-20 loss. In fact, the Tigers were the worst team at stopping the run in 2019, giving up a whopping 211.1 rushing yards per game — almost 45 yards more than the next closest team.
Laying big points with road teams in college football can be scary, but that gets a little less scary when the favored team is committed to running the ball down their opponent’s throats all game long. That will be the case Sunday. Go Gamecocks.
PREDICTION: Jacksonville State -18.5 (-110)
Over/Under pick
The Over/Under for this spring college football matchup is on the board at a fairly high (by FCS standards) 56.5, but are the Jacksonville State and Tennessee State offenses good enough to topple this total?
First of all, Jacksonville State ranked first in the Ohio Valley Conference when it came to total offense a season ago, and while star quarterback Zerrick Cooper, who has twice led the conference in passing yards and touchdown passes, will miss the spring season with an injury, Webb looks up to the task. The dual-threat QB should make life difficult for the Tigers all day.
On the other side, Tennessee State might have something at quarterback in Marshall transfer Isaiah Green. Green went 10-for-18 for 173 yards and a score in the loss to Austin Peay, a game which came down to the final throw.
The Jacksonville State defense looked very good in the opener but was just a middle-of-pack defensive team in the OVC in 2019. Green should be able to manufacture enough points in this game to send it Over.
PREDICTION: Over 55.5 (-110)
Jacksonville State vs Tennessee State betting card
- Jacksonville State -18.5 (-110)
- Over 55.5 (-110)
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