Can Jacksonville State, Rich Rodriguez make a splash in year one? Our game by game predictions
Jacksonville State football and coach Rich Rodriguez are about to venture into the programs first season as an FBS program.
It'll be a tough schedule with 11 games against FBS opponents and starts off the bat with a Conference USA game. They return a lot of starters from last year, including multiple running backs that combined to rush for more than 250 yards a game.
Here are the game by game predictions:
BOLD PREDICTIONS: Jacksonville State football, Rich Rodriguez bold predications: Win totals, Zion Webb breakout
QB BATTLE: Jacksonville State football QBs make strides in scrimmage but the battle still remains unsettled
Aug. 26 vs. UTEP
Last season: Did not play, UTEP went 5-7
The buzz: UTEP got better as the season went on, almost upsetting C-USA champs UTSA in its final game. The Miners, who return 15 starters, played in a lot of games which were closer than the score indicated.
The pick: UTEP wins, 33-28
Sept. 2 vs. East Tennessee State
Last season: Did not play, ETSU 3-8
The buzz: The only FCS program on the schedule for the Gamecocks. This will be the opener for the Bucs, who play in the Southern Conference. Depending on week one, this could be the first win as an FBS program for the Gamecocks.
The pick: Jacksonville State wins, 54-17
Sept. 9 at Coastal Carolina
Last season: Did not play, Coastal Carolina went 9-4
The buzz: The Chanticleers burst onto the scene during the 2020 season, but now are without the head coach that got them there. The good news is they return Grayson McCall, who entered his name into the transfer portal in the offseason.
The pick: Jacksonville State wins, 35-32
Sept. 23 vs. Eastern Michigan
Last season: Did not play, Eastern Michigan went 9-4
The buzz: Eastern Michigan returns 11 starters from a team that won the second-most games in program history last season. But only four of those returning starters are on the offensive side.
The pick: JSU wins, 21-17
Sept. 28 at Sam Houston
Last season: Did not play, Sam Houston went 5-4
The buzz: Jax State starts the midweek stretch against the other newcomer to the CUSA and FBS this season. Sam Houston was a perennial power at the FCS level and returns 16 starters from last season.
The pick: Sam Houston wins, 35-21
Oct. 4 at Middle Tennessee State
Last season: Did not play, Middle Tennessee State went 8-5
The buzz: The first road game against a team that was an FBS program last season. The Blue Raiders got hot late, winning their final four games including a bowl game and return 11 starters. But, Middle Tennessee lost several skill position players.
The pick: JSU wins, 42-21
Oct. 10 vs. Liberty
Last season: Did not play, Liberty went 8-5
The buzz: Jamie Chadwell takes over for Huge Freeze at Liberty after leading Coastal Carolina to new heights. Only eight starters return, but the Flames have been strong as an FBS independent.
The pick: Liberty wins, 28-27
Oct. 17 vs. Western Kentucky
Last season: Did not play, WKU went 9-5
The buzz: One of the favorites in CUSA, behind quarterback Austin Reed and their top RB and WR from last season. Reed was one of the top QBs in the FBS last year, leading the nation in passing yards and third in passing touchdowns.
The pick: WKU wins, 45-28
Oct. 25 at Florida International
Last season: Did not play, FIU went 4-8
The buzz: Projected to be in the bottom of the CUSA, only above the two transition schools in some preseason rankings. They return 12 starters from a team that has gone 2-17 over the last two seasons.
The pick: JSU wins, 35-24
Nov. 4 at South Carolina
Last season: Did not play, 8-5
The buzz: South Carolina continues to climb in the SEC and brings back Spencer Rattler for another season.
The pick: South Carolina wins, 52-21
Nov. 18 vs. Louisiana Tech
Last season: Did not play, Tech went 3-9
The buzz: In Sonny Cumbie's second season, there should be improvement from last year’s team that sat near the bottom of CUSA. The Bulldogs return eight starters on offense and four on defense and bring in a quarterback transfer from Boise State.
The pick: JSU wins, 31-30
Nov. 25 at New Mexico State
Last season: Did not play, NMSU went 7-6
The buzz: The Aggies won six of their last seven games, including a win in the Quick Lane Bowl. NMSU returns 13 starters, including quarterback Diego Pavia Jr. There is high hopes in Jerry Kill's second season.
The pick: NMSU wins 35-28
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Jacksonville State game-by-game predictions 2023: Here's how Gamecock will fare
