12 Expert Picks
Missouri State is missing coach Ryan Beard, off to
Western Michgan took its lumps with season-opening setback
Will we see a different Alabama team in the CFP?...
Will the time off help Alabama in the CFP?...
Is the wrong team favored? ...
UNLV is 9-1 straight up when they are a favorite...
The Hawaii Bowl features an intriguing matchup...
Pitt thrived on the road this season...
Would anyone like to volunteer to join Clemson's
Will LSU be motivated to play in the Texas Bowl?...
Will Bryce Underwood play for Michigan? ...
Will Cincinnati's late season slide continue in the Liberty Bowl?...
It's not uncommon for a QB to bypass a bowl game. In this unusual case, both starters are sitting out. For USF, Byrum Brown is serving as an unofficial assistant coach as he mulls over his playing future. Replacement Gaston Moore makes his first career start, with the same number of interceptions and TD passes (three) this season in reserve. For Old Dominion, freshman Quinn Henicle, who has tossed 15 passes, steps in for the transferring Colton Joseph. The Monarchs allow a fraction less than 20 ppg, while the Bulls’ yield is a bit higher because opponents have trailed by large margins throughout the year. The defenses should do their part to deliver an Under.
Jacksonville State's most glaring advantage is the combination of the nation's elite rushing attack and Troy's historically poor run defense. Cam Cook leads all of college football with 1,659 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, with Jacksonville State ranking 4th nationally in rushing offense at 258.2 yards per game. The Trojans rank 112th in rushing yards allowed per game at 182.3 yards, and their rushing defense ranks 115th overall at 4.8 yards per rush allowed. The Gamecocks are better in the trenches and have three wins against quality fellow Bowl teams. Troy mostly beat up on weak Bowl teams, and they will be without starting RB Tae Meadows. Jacksonville State ranks 6th in consistency, while Troy checks in at 50th. My model has JS winning outright.
Troy is missing apparently its leading rusher and four starting offensive linemen due to injury, opt-outs, etc. And the Trojans can't stop the run, allowing 183.2 YPG. Thanks to the nation's leading rusher in Cam Cook and dual-threat QB Caden Creel, Jax State is fourth nationally in rushing. Half unit. Both the AL.com guys previewing the game like the Gamecocks.