If you’re just checking out Jacksonville State (8-4) as part of your bowl game NCAAF betting strategy, you may have just learned that the Gamecocks’ head coach is Rich Rodriguez. If you know your college football history, that name should ring a bell. He had coaching stints at West Virginia (2001-2007), Michigan (2008-2010) and Arizona (2012-2017). At West Virginia, he led the Mountaineers to three 10-win seasons. He didn’t fare so well at Michigan, but at Arizona, he was named the Coach of the Year in the Pac-12 after guiding the squad to its first 10-win season in more than 15 seasons. In his first four seasons as Arizona, the team won 33 games, the most in a four-year stretch in the history of the program. At Jacksonville State, Rodriguez has guided the program in its move from the FCS to the FBS, and he led the team to bowl eligibility in their first season in Conference USA. The Gamecocks meet the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (6-6) in the New Orleans Bowl – and we have your preview right here.
2023 College Football New Orleans Bowl Odds: Jacksonville State vs Louisiana
When: Saturday, December 16, 2023, 2:15 pm ET
Where: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans
TV: ESPN
Radio: No National Broadcast
Live Stream: ESPN+
NCAAF Odds: Jacksonville State -3.5 / O/U 59.5 // Louisiana +140 / Jacksonville State -165
Why should you bet on the Gamecocks?
The Gamecocks play in their first bowl in program history – as an FCS team, they advanced to the playoffs ten times since 2003, but this is the first FBS season. They did play five teams who will appear in bowls this postseason and posted a 2-3 record in those games. Rich Rodriguez has always had a prolific offense, although it was not particularly consistent this year. When it got going, though, opponents suffered. They beat Louisiana Tech, 56-17, running for 522 yards. They routed Western Kentucky and posted 484 total yards. They blanked Eastern Michigan and ran for 295. They scored four rushing touchdowns when they rolled FIU on the road. The key is quick tempo so defenses don’t have much time to adjust.
The transfer portal has been draining teams of talent ahead of bowl season, but Jacksonville State was comparatively lucky, only losing place kicker Alen Karmic. Karmic is reliable, though, so things could get interesting if the Gamecocks need a long field goal. Zion Webb is still there at quarterback, though. Primarily a runner, Webb becomes even more dangerous when he finds his man down the field. When he runs for 100 or more yards, the Gamecocks are 4-0. They were 7-0 when they averaged at least 4.2 yards per carry.
Bet on Jacksonville State to Win Today
Why should you put your money on the Ragin’ Cajuns?
The Louisiana defense is solid. The Cajuns held opponents under four yards per carry for the season and only permitted 4.2 or more yards per carry in four games. They also bring enough of a pass rush to cause problems for Webb. Turnovers were an issue for Jacksonville State, with five games in which they turned the ball over at least twice. That’s good news for Louisiana, who has a 5-1 record when they take the ball away more than once. They also went 5-1 when they could generate at least 400 yards of offense.
The Cajuns were 6-6, though, while the Gamecocks were 8-4. Those four losses came against South Carolina, New Mexico State, Liberty, and Coastal Carolina. Louisiana’s offense isn’t in with those guys. Also, 6-6 teams usually prevail when the favorite is distracted, depleted by the transfer portal or disappointed with their bowl destination. Jacksonville State is playing in the school’s first bowl ever, so you can bet the excitement will be there.
Bet on Louisiana to Win Today
Jacksonville State vs Louisiana Final Score and Prediction
Louisiana went 6-0 when they scored more than 31 points but went 0-6 when they couldn’t get there. The only team that scored more than 31 points on Jacksonville State was South Carolina. I see the Gamecocks rolling to a 27-20 win.
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