Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Jacksonville State Gamecocks Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 9/21/2024 3:00 PM EST

We have your Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Jacksonville State Gamecocks prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Southern Miss Golden Eagles hit the road to face the Jacksonville State Gamecocks.

Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Jacksonville State Gamecocks Odds Info

Best Moneyline Odds: Southern Miss Golden Eagles +190 (ESPN BET) / Jacksonville State Gamecocks -218 (DraftKings)
Best Spread Odds: -6.0 - Southern Miss Golden Eagles -110 (Caesars) / Jacksonville State Gamecocks -110 (Caesars)
Best Total Odds: 60.0 - Under -109 (BetRivers) / Over -110 (DraftKings)

Game Info

Date: 9/21/2024
Time: 3:00 PM EST
Location: AmFirst Stadium (Jacksonville, AL)
TV: ESPN+

Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Jacksonville State Gamecocks Preview

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles are set to face the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in what promises to be an intriguing matchup at AmFirst Stadium. Both teams are coming off challenging starts to their seasons, with Southern Miss struggling to find offensive rhythm and Jacksonville State grappling with injuries and offensive inefficiencies.

Southern Miss enters the game with a 1-2 record, having faced difficulties in establishing a consistent offensive attack. The Golden Eagles have been heavily reliant on their passing game, throwing the ball on nearly 59% of their plays. However, quarterback Tate Rodemaker has yet to find his stride, struggling in his outings against FBS opponents with a combined 244 passing yards. The running game has also been underwhelming, with top back Rodrigues Clark averaging just 3.6 yards per carry behind an offensive line that has only one returning starter. This lack of offensive production has been a significant hurdle for Southern Miss, and they will need to find ways to overcome it against a Jacksonville State team that is eager to capitalize on any weaknesses.

Jacksonville State, on the other hand, is dealing with its own set of challenges. The Gamecocks have been one of the fastest-paced teams in the country, averaging a play every 20.5 seconds. Despite this rapid pace, their offense has struggled, particularly in the running game, where they rank outside the top 100 in every rushing metric. The absence of their top two backs from last season and the injury to Ron Wiggins have left them thin in the backfield. Additionally, starting quarterback Logan Smothers is sidelined, leaving Tyler Huff to lead the offense. While Huff has shown promise, he has also been prone to mistakes, with six turnover-worthy plays in his last two starts. This inconsistency could be a critical factor in the upcoming game.

Defensively, both teams have shown vulnerabilities that could be exploited. Southern Miss has been unable to effectively stop the run, which could play into Jacksonville State's hands if they can find a way to establish their ground game. Conversely, the Gamecocks' defense will need to be wary of Southern Miss's passing attack, despite its struggles, as any lapse could provide the Golden Eagles with the opportunity to gain momentum.

As these two teams prepare to clash, the game will likely hinge on which side can best address its offensive shortcomings and capitalize on the other's defensive lapses. With both teams eager to turn their seasons around, this matchup is set to be a pivotal moment in their respective campaigns.

Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Jacksonville State Gamecocks Pick: Total Points Under

In analyzing the upcoming matchup between the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, the case for betting on the total points to go under is compelling. Both teams have shown significant offensive struggles early in the season, which could lead to a lower-scoring affair.

Southern Miss has been heavily reliant on their passing game, yet quarterback Tate Rodemaker has not been able to find his rhythm, particularly against FBS opponents. With only 244 passing yards in those games, the Golden Eagles' aerial attack has been underwhelming. Additionally, their ground game has been ineffective, with Rodrigues Clark averaging a mere 3.6 yards per carry. This lack of offensive production is compounded by an offensive line that has only one returning starter, making it difficult for Southern Miss to sustain drives and put points on the board.

On the other side, Jacksonville State's offense has been plagued by its own set of issues. Despite being one of the fastest-paced teams in the country, the Gamecocks have struggled to establish a consistent running game, ranking outside the top 100 in every rushing metric. The absence of their top two backs from last season and the injury to Ron Wiggins have left them thin in the backfield. Furthermore, with starting quarterback Logan Smothers sidelined, Tyler Huff has been thrust into the starting role. While Huff has shown potential, his six turnover-worthy plays in the last two starts highlight the inconsistency that could hinder Jacksonville State's ability to score.

Defensively, both teams have vulnerabilities, but their offensive inefficiencies are likely to dominate the narrative of this game. Southern Miss's inability to stop the run could be a factor, but Jacksonville State's struggles in the rushing department may prevent them from fully exploiting this weakness. Conversely, the Gamecocks' defense will need to contain a Southern Miss passing attack that has yet to find its footing.

Given these factors, the likelihood of a high-scoring game seems low. Both teams are grappling with offensive challenges that could lead to a more defensive battle, making the under a strong play in this matchup.

Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Jacksonville State Gamecocks Top Player Prop Picks

Tate Rodemaker Under 244.5 Passing Yards Passing Yards -110 (DraftKings)

Tate Rodemaker has struggled to find his rhythm in the early part of the season, particularly against FBS opponents. With only 244 passing yards combined in those games, the Southern Miss quarterback has yet to demonstrate the ability to effectively lead the Golden Eagles' aerial attack. This lack of production is compounded by an offensive line that has only one returning starter, making it difficult for Rodemaker to find time and space to execute plays. Given these challenges, betting on Rodemaker to fall short of 244.5 passing yards seems a prudent choice.

Tyler Huff Over 1.5 Turnovers -120 (FanDuel)

Tyler Huff, stepping in as the starting quarterback for Jacksonville State due to Logan Smothers' injury, has shown potential but also a propensity for mistakes. In his last two starts, Huff has already accumulated six turnover-worthy plays, highlighting his inconsistency under pressure. With the Gamecocks' offense struggling to establish a reliable running game, Huff is likely to face significant pressure from the Southern Miss defense, increasing the likelihood of turnovers. Given his recent track record, betting on Huff to commit over 1.5 turnovers is a strong play.

Rodrigues Clark Under 3.5 Yards Per Carry Rushing Yards -115 (BetMGM)

Rodrigues Clark has been unable to find success on the ground for Southern Miss, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry behind an offensive line that has struggled to open up running lanes. With only one returning starter on the line, the Golden Eagles have found it difficult to establish a consistent rushing attack. Facing a Jacksonville State defense that, despite its own vulnerabilities, will be keen to exploit Southern Miss's offensive inefficiencies, Clark is unlikely to exceed his current average. Betting on Clark to fall under 3.5 yards per carry aligns with the ongoing struggles of the Southern Miss ground game.