FIU vs. Jacksonville State Predictions, Picks & Odds for CUSA Showdown

The Florida International Panthers (3-2, 1-0 CUSA) head to Alabama to take on the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (4-2, 2-0 CUSA) in a Week 7 Conference USA college football showdown Tuesday night. Jacksonville State, FIU, and Liberty are the three remaining teams with undefeated CUSA records this season, making this a massive matchup as the season approaches its second half.

Jacksonville State is riding a three-game winning streak that began on Sept. 19 with a 31-27 win over Georgia Southern, followed by back-to-back victories against Middle Tennessee and Kennesaw State to open conference play. Although the Gamecocks prevailed with a 27-26 win last week, it didn’t come easy, and they’ll need to play much better against FIU on Tuesday night to keep their winning streak alive.

The Gamecocks turned the ball over twice in last week’s win over Kennesaw State and committed 11 penalties, both of which have been common issues this season. Jacksonville State is averaging 1.5 turnovers and nearly seven penalties per game, which isn’t a sustainable way to play winning football, especially against a tough FIU team right behind it in the standings.

Florida International also enters this matchup on a winning streak, having won two consecutive games after starting the season 1-2. The Panthers are averaging 21 points per game while holding opponents to just three points per game over their last two contests, including a 22-3 win over New Mexico State last week in their CUSA opener.

FIU hasn’t necessarily been lighting up the box score offensively this year, averaging 18.8 points per game, but it’s the defense that’s keeping the Panthers afloat. The most points FIU has allowed in a game this season is 20 against Buffalo on Sept. 12, and the defense is allowing just 12.2 points per game through its first five contests.

The FIU defense will need to do more of the same Tuesday night against a Jacksonville State offense that’s averaging 27.3 points and 391.2 total yards per game this season. It could come down to whichever team plays cleaner football, as both have had their fair share of issues with turnovers and penalties through the first half of the season.

You’ll find our FIU vs. Jacksonville State predictions, picks, and odds below for Tuesday night’s game.

FIU vs. Jacksonville State Odds

Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook lists Jacksonville State as the home favorite at AmFirst Stadium:

• Moneyline: Jacksonville State -155, FIU +125
• Spread: Jacksonville State -2.5 (-120), FIU +2.5 (+100)
• Total: Over 42.5 Points (-120), Under 42.5 Points (-105)

FIU vs. Jacksonville State Predictions

Make sure to check out all the available football betting markets at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook when making wagers on Tuesday night’s game, including our FIU vs. Jacksonville State prediction below:

Jacksonville State vs. FIU Best Bet: Jacksonville State Moneyline (-155)

Jacksonville State’s offense has proven to be more explosive than FIU’s so far this season, and the Gamecocks will also have home-field advantage Tuesday night. While turnovers and penalties have been issues for both teams, there’s simply more to like about Jacksonville State’s offense.

Quarterback Caden Creel has been responsible for some of the Gamecocks’ turnovers this season, but he’s also a big reason why they’re 4-2 and at the top of the CUSA standings. Creel is a true dual-threat quarterback who gets the job done through the air and on the ground, notably leading the Gamecocks with 86 carries, 405 rushing yards, and four rushing touchdowns.

Again, FIU’s defense has been playing really well this season, but it faces a tall task Tuesday night against Creel and Jacksonville State’s offense. It’s also hard to imagine the Panthers having the firepower to keep up with the Gamecocks if this turns into a higher-scoring game.

Panthers quarterback JJ Kohl has played fairly well this season, but he’s thrown more interceptions than touchdown passes. He’s also not a factor in the run game like Creel, and the rest of FIU’s rushing attack hasn’t been much of a threat, averaging 3.3 yards per carry with only three rushing touchdowns.

If Jacksonville State can play a fairly clean game and limit FIU’s leading receiver Maguire Anderson, who has 401 receiving yards and two touchdowns this season, then Tuesday night’s matchup should favor the Gamecocks.

• Jacksonville State vs. FIU Moneyline Pick for Oct. 13: Jacksonville State (-155)

FIU vs. Jacksonville State Betting Splits

Here’s how the action is trending at Hard Rock Bet for FIU vs. Jacksonville State as kickoff approaches:

• Jacksonville State is drawing more support on the moneyline, with 76.5% of wagers and 84.4% of the handle.
• The Gamecocks are receiving more action on the spread, with 60.6% of wagers and 57.7% of the handle.
• The Over is also seeing more action on the total, with 56.9% of wagers and 55.2% of the handle.

FIU vs. Jacksonville State Game Info

• 📍 Where: AmFirst Stadium, Jacksonville, AL
• 📅 Date: Tuesday, Oct. 13
• ⏰ Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET
• 📺💻 TV/Streaming: ESPNU

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Referenced odds are subject to change.