Mid-week Conference USA action continues in Week 7 when the FIU Panthers hit the road for Alabama to take on the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. The visitors come into this contest at 3-2 SU and ATS, though they’ve won two straight, holding FCS Long Island and New Mexico State to just six combined points. Both losses were on the road, but they have yet to surrender more than 20 at any point this year.
The hosts are 4-2 SU and 3-3 ATS, and after their win at Kennesaw State last week, they have now won three in a row, with their only losses being at North Dakota State in Week 0 and at Ohio in Week 2 in four overtimes.
This figures to be a close game, but I can’t go against the Gamecocks at home – Jacksonville State has one of the best home-field advantages in the country. Since joining the FBS in 2023, they have lost just thrice at home – once in 2023 to the undefeated Liberty team, once to Coastal Carolina in Week 0 of 2024 and once last year to Kennesaw State in the conference championship.
I give the quarterback advantage to the hosts, as well. Caden Creel hasn’t faced a ton of pressure this year, and he leads the conference in touchdown passes when kept clean (10) while carrying an 80% adjusted completion percentage (PFF) on those attempts. On top of that, Creel is a dynamic runner, having gained over 400 yards on 86 carries thus far, which is a trait FIU’s JJ Kohl doesn’t have. Kohl’s performances on the road have left a lot to be desired, and his seven interceptions are the most in Conference USA despite having played only five games (Creel has five in six games). If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – Gamecocks at home.
FIU vs Jacksonville State best bet: Jacksonville State Jaguars ML (-135) at the time of publishing. Playable to -150 or -2.5 (-120) on the spread.
