Jacksonville State Football: How will the Gamecocks fare in CUSA?

How will Jacksonville State football fare in its first season in FBS?

Unfortunately for Jacksonville State football, they won’t be able to compete for a conference title in their first year in Conference USA. However, they have a good chance of going over the 5.5-win projection for the season.

Sat, Aug 26, vs. UTEP: What a home opener for the Gamecocks. It’s the conference opener against a team looking to get back to bowl eligibility. This is a 50/50 game. JSU wins in a close one in its CUSA debut. W

Sat, Sep 2, vs. East Tennessee State: When you step up in class, these are the games you should win. The Buccaneers were 3-8 last season, and the Gamecocks should have no problem winning this game. W

Sat, Sep 9, @ Coastal Carolina: JSU’s first home game was a test, and its first road game is a test. It’s a battle of domestic poultry as the Gamecocks take on the Chanticleers in Myrtle Beach. This should be one of the more entertaining games of the first part of the season. However, magic roosters beat the actual roosters. L

Sat, Sep 23 vs. Eastern Michigan: This game is interesting. The Eagles won nine games last season, finishing tied for second in the MAC West. Part of EMU’s success was going 4-2 in one-possession games. The Eagles were 74th in rushing last year. JSU wins another close game. W

Thu, Sep 28, @ Sam Houston: The Bearkats also make their Conference USA debut this season. SHSU went 5-4  in the WAC last season. The Gamecocks should win this game because the Bearkats were bad on defense. W

Wed, Oct 4, @ Middle Tennessee: This is another 50/50 game for the Gamecocks. The Blue Raiders must replace quarterback Chase Cunningham and leading receiver Jaylin Lane. However, the Blue Raiders had one of the stingiest defenses in CUSA last year. MTSU wins a low-scoring game. L

Tue, Oct 10, vs. Liberty: If there is any game to watch in Conference USA, it is this one. The Flames have a new coach, former Coastal Carolina head coach Jamey Chadwell: new coach, recent conference, and two teams with similar offenses. The Chadwell offense is a variant (or evolution) of the Rodriguez offense. The Flames win a barn-burner. L

Tue, Oct 17, vs. Western Kentucky: The Hilltoppers won the CUSA East last season and should be a player in the conference again this fall. Austin Reed returns at quarterback for Western Kentucky, and the Hilltoppers play solid defense. WKU pulls away late from JSU. L

Wed, Oct 25, @ Florida International: The Panthers finished 4-8 last season. The Panthers should be improved, but they finished 111th in rushing defense in 2022. The Gamecocks should win on the strength of the running game. W

Sat, Nov 4, @ South Carolina: The Gamecocks upset Florida State a few years ago. That won’t happen this year. South Carolina is too good, and Jacksonville State does not throw the football well enough to upset their namesake. The Gamecocks beat the Gamecocks handily in Columbia. L

Sat, Nov 18, vs. Louisiana Tech: As the Gamecocks approach the end of its first season in CUSA, the Bulldogs represent another possible high-scoring game. Though Louisiana Tech finished 3-9, they had little trouble scoring points. That said, Colorado was the only team in FBS that was worst in rushing defense. The Gamecocks win behind a big rushing performance. W

Sat, Nov 25, @ New Mexico State: Head coach Jerry Kill and the Aggies look to build off last season’s 7-6 record. All three of the Aggies’ leading rushers return to lead the offense, while the defense has a bit of rebuilding. That said, New Mexico State at home by three scores. L

Prediction:

Jacksonville State Football should have a solid and entertaining first season in CUSA. Rich Rodriguez will ensure they score a lot of points. If they stay healthy on defense, they can win a bowl game.

6-6, 4-4 (CUSA)