Make New York Post a Preferred Source Jax State quarterback Caden Creel on the move. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect Jacksonville State doesn’t get much love from the college football masses, but the Gamecocks deserve some. JSU has won nine games in each of its first three seasons in the big leagues, and has been to the last two Conference USA championship games, with one win.
The Gamecocks have maintained this consistency under two coaches and plenty of transfer chaos. A step-back season in 2026 would have been forgiven, but Jacksonville State has other ideas, as they’re sitting at 3-2 and are the second favorites to win CUSA.
They’re a 3-point favorite over Kennesaw State, CUSA’s against-the-odds defending champions, on Wednesday night.
It shouldn’t surprise anybody to read that these are flawed teams. Jacksonville State may be one of the best teams in Conference USA, but that’s not saying much. SP+ has the Gamecocks as the 80th-best team in the country, just below average.
Kennesaw State is quite a few notches down the board. The Owls were splendid in 2025, but they predictably lost their talismanic quarterback, Amari Odom, to the transfer portal and his replacement, Rickie Collins, can’t be trusted.
Kennesaw State quarterback Rickie Collins. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect That has put plenty of pressure on the Owls’ defense, but they haven’t answered the bell. And when they have, like they did last time out against Arkansas State, the offense hasn’t been able to reward them for it.
Jacksonville State’s offense won’t set the world on fire against good defenses, but the Gamecocks can be relentless with their running game, which is shepherded by do-it-all quarterback Caden Creel.
Creel can be charged with trying to do too much at times, but I like his chances to keep this leaky defense on its heels.
And Creel’s offense just has to be slightly successful against the Owls, because Kennesaw State isn’t really a threat to post a crooked number.
The Gamecocks have value as a short road-favorite.
The Play: Jacksonville State -3 (-110, DraftKings)
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
