As Week 5 of the 2025 college football season unfolds, Jacksonville State Gamecocks will hit the road to take on Southern Miss Golden Eagles at the M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, MS. Both teams enter the game with an identical 2-2 record, eager to secure a pivotal win under the lights on Saturday, September 27. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN+ at 7:00 PM. Jacksonville State, currently holding a road record of 0-2, aims to turn their away game fortunes around. The Gamecocks boast a strong rushing attack, demonstrated in their recent 45-10 victory over Murray State where they amassed 334 rushing yards. They will look to replicate that performance against Southern Miss. The Southern Miss Golden Eagles, with a home record of 2-1, are determined to continue their success at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Despite a recent 30-20 loss to Louisiana Tech on the road, Southern Miss has shown offensive capabilities, especially in their passing game. With a consensus spread favoring them by 4 points, Southern Miss will rely on their home field advantage to secure a win.
Southern Miss vs Jacksonville State At a Glance
- Game Date and Time: Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM (Night Game)
- Location: M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, MS
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Jacksonville State Record: 2-2 this season, with a 0-2 road record
- Southern Miss Record: 2-2 this season, with a 2-1 home record
- Game Odds: Jacksonville State Moneyline +156, Southern Miss Moneyline -187
Southern Miss Golden Eagles Seek to Soar Over Jacksonville State
Offensive Analysis
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles have shown a strong offensive presence this season, ranking 24th in passing yards with 1094. They have also made significant strides in first downs, sitting at 21st with 90. Despite these positives, their rushing game remains a challenge, ranking 95th with 479 yards.
Quarterback Braylon Braxton has been pivotal for the Golden Eagles, leading in passing yards with 1084 and nine touchdowns. His performance has been a driving force for their offensive success. However, the team needs to enhance their ground game to provide a balanced attack.
Defensive Performance
Defensively, the Golden Eagles have been formidable in generating pressure and turnovers. They rank 7th in both sacks and interceptions, showcasing their ability to disrupt opposing offenses. However, allowing 106 points, they rank 74th, indicating room for improvement in overall defensive cohesion.
Despite not recovering any fumbles this season, the defense’s interception prowess has compensated for it. The defense will need to maintain their aggressiveness to contain Jacksonville State’s offense effectively.
Recent Game Recap
In their recent outing against Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss fell short with a 30-20 loss. Despite outgaining their opponents in both passing and rushing yards, turnovers proved costly. The Golden Eagles will aim to rectify these mistakes as they prepare for Jacksonville State.
The Golden Eagles showed resilience in earlier victories against Appalachian State and Jackson State, where they scored 38 points in each game. Consistency will be key as they look to capitalize on their home advantage in the upcoming game.
Key Players to Watch
Braylon Braxton will continue to be a focal point for the Southern Miss offense. With impressive passing stats, his leadership will be crucial. On the receiving end, Carl Chester and Micah Davis have been reliable targets, combining for significant yardage and touchdowns.
On defense, players like Kadinn Morris and Kyirin Heath are expected to be instrumental. Their ability to execute and pressure the opposing offense could be decisive in the Golden Eagles’ game plan.
Betting Trends
- O/U – After Win: 8-1 (88.9%) over the last 9 games.
- SU – As Favorite: 11-3 (78.6%) over the last 14 games.
- ATS – As Favorite: 3-0 (100.0%) over the last 3 games.
- O/U – As Underdog: 19-11 (63.3%) over the last 30 games.
- O/U – Away Games: 9-4 (69.2%) over the last 13 games.
The Golden Eagles are looking to build on their favorable betting trends, especially when playing as favorites. Their recent home performance also provides a boost in confidence heading into the game against Jacksonville State.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks Prepare for Battle on the Road
Offensive Strengths
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks have demonstrated an impressive rushing offense, ranking 5th in the nation with 1,056 rushing yards this season. This ground game is powered by running back Cam Cook, who has amassed 537 rushing yards, placing him 3rd in the country.
Their ability to establish the run has been pivotal in their offensive strategy, allowing them to control the tempo of the game. This has resulted in accumulating 87 first downs, ranking them 23rd nationally.
Defensive Prowess
Defensively, the Gamecocks have been solid, especially when it comes to creating turnovers. With 3 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries, they rank 4th and 3rd respectively in these categories.
The defense has also been effective at pressuring opposing quarterbacks, recording 8 sacks and ranking 10th nationally in this category. This consistent pressure has been a key component of their defensive success.
Quarterback Play
Gavin Wimsatt has been leading the offense from the quarterback position, throwing for 557 yards and contributing 2 passing touchdowns. Though his passing yards rank 107th nationally, his ability to manage the game has been crucial.
Despite the modest passing yardage, Wimsatt’s leadership and decision-making have helped Jacksonville State to a 3-1 start to the season. Limiting turnovers with only 2 interceptions has also been a positive aspect of his play.
Recent Performances
Jacksonville State is coming off a dominant 45-10 victory over Murray State, highlighting their capability to control games. In this performance, they recorded 29 first downs and rushed for an impressive 334 yards.
In previous games, they have shown resilience even in losses, such as their close 41-34 game against Georgia Southern. Their ability to rebound from setbacks has been evident with victories following losses.
Key Players to Watch
Cam Cook continues to be a standout, not only in rushing yards but also contributing with 4 rushing touchdowns. His versatility in both rushing and receiving makes him a dual-threat on the field.
On the defensive side, watch for players who have contributed to their turnover success, including those responsible for interceptions and fumble recoveries. Their ability to disrupt opposing offenses could be pivotal.
Jacksonville State Betting Trends
- As Favorite: 9-0 in last 9 games (100%)
- Home Games: 8-0 in last 8 games (100%)
- After Loss: 4-0 in last 4 games (100%)
- All Games: 11-3 in last 14 games (78.6%)
- Totals ≥ 50: 10-3 in last 13 games (76.9%)
- Home Games ATS: 11-4 in last 15 games (73.3%)
Southern Miss vs Jacksonville State Prediction: Southern Miss -4.0
Southern Miss is set as a 4-point favorite at home, which is a position they have performed well in historically. With a home record of 2-1 this season, the Golden Eagles have shown they can capitalize on their home-field advantage at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Their recent trends further indicate a strong performance when playing as favorites, especially covering the spread in their last three games as favorites.
Jacksonville State, on the other hand, has struggled on the road, with a 0-2 record away from AmFirst Stadium this season. Despite a strong rushing attack ranked 5th in the nation, their passing game has been less effective, which could be a challenge against a Southern Miss defense that is 7th in the nation in interceptions. The Gamecocks’ inconsistent road performance could play into Southern Miss’s hands.
While Jacksonville State has shown offensive prowess, their defensive ranking of 62nd in points against could be exploited by Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles’ passing offense ranks 24th, which should provide a good matchup against the Gamecocks’ secondary. Additionally, Southern Miss’s ability to recover from a previous loss, along with their home record, points toward a convincing performance.
Given the situational strengths and statistical advantages, Southern Miss -4.0 looks like a solid pick. The Gamecocks’ road struggles, combined with Southern Miss’s favorable trends at home, suggest that the Golden Eagles should be able to cover the spread comfortably.
- Southern Miss vs Jacksonville State Prediction: Southern Miss -4.0
- Southern Miss vs Jacksonville State Score: Southern Miss 34 – Jacksonville State 24
