Jacksonville State vs Louisville Prediction College Football Picks 9/7/24

The Jacksonville State Gamecocks and the Louisville Cardinals meet Saturday in college football action from Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Here’s a Jacksonville State vs Louisville prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Jacksonville State vs Louisville pick. We will examine:

The Jacksonville State Gamecocks recent form and player performance

The Louisville Cardinals recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Jacksonville State Gamecocks

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Louisville Cardinals

Recent betting trends in games played between Jacksonville State and Louisville

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Jacksonville State vs Louisville game

Jacksonville State Gamecocks Betting Preview

The Gamecocks posted a 9-4 overall run last season and notched a 6-2 record in Conference USA games. Jacksonville State would land in third place with that effort, behind Liberty and New Mexico State. In the New Orleans Bowl versus Louisiana the Gamecocks won in OT 34-31.

In their first action of the 2024 campaign, the Gamecocks took on Coastal Carolina. Jacksonville State gave up double-digit points in every quarter during a 55-27 loss. QB Tyler Huff threw for 173 yards, one TD and two picks. Tre Stewart led the rush on 62 yards and a score from four carries.

Louisville Cardinals Betting Preview

Over on the Cardinals’ side, they managed to go 10-4 overall in 2023. Louisville was 7-1 in ACC play which got them into the conference championship against Florida State (a 16-6 loss). The Cardinals also fell in their Holiday Bowl appearance 42-28 versus USC.

Matched up against Austin Peay in their first game of 2024, the Cardinals didn’t have too many issues. Louisville scored 28 points in the second quarter on the way to a blowout win 62-0. Tyler Shough threw for 232 yards and four touchdowns. Isaac Brown topped the rushers on 123 yards and a TD from five carries.

Why the Louisville Cardinals will win

• Louisville has won each of its last 12 September games as a home favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Louisville has covered the spread in 11 of its last 13 games at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium.

Why the Jacksonville State Gamecocks will win

• Louisville has lost three of its last four games.
• The team ranked 22nd in the AP Poll has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games.
• The underdog has covered the spread in four of Jacksonville State’s last five games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Louisville’s last four games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of Jacksonville State’s last three games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Louisville rank T1st among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
• Louisville rank T1st among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (0.0).

Jacksonville State vs Louisville Prediction

I’m leaning toward Louisville. The Cardinals had absolutely zero issues versus Austin Peay, cruising to 571 total yards (293 rushing) and 9.2 yards per play. If there was a blemish, it was a tepid 4-of-10 on third-down tries. Defensively Louisville dominated with 106 yards allowed (76 passing), nine first downs and just 1.8 yards per play.

As for Jacksonville State, they coughed up a whopping 552 total yards (258 passing) to Coastal Carolina in their opener. The offense went just 1-of-10 on third downs and gave up three turnovers. Things aren’t going to get any easier this week.