As Week 3 of the 2025 College Football Regular Season kicks off, Jacksonville State Gamecocks are set to visit the Georgia Southern Eagles. The game will take place at Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, GA, with a scheduled start time of 7:00 PM under the lights. Fans can tune in to catch the action on ESPN+. Jacksonville State enters the game with a balanced 1-1 record, having secured a home victory against Liberty Flames and a close road loss to UCF Knights. Their effective ground game was evident in their recent win, where they rushed for 343 yards. As they head into this matchup, they aim to improve their road performance. On the other side, Georgia Southern is still searching for their first win after starting the season 0-2 on the road. They faced formidable opponents in USC Trojans and Fresno State Bulldogs, struggling defensively while allowing a significant number of rushing yards. As they play their first home game of the season, the Eagles look to turn their fortunes around in front of their home crowd.
Georgia Southern vs Jacksonville State At a Glance
- Game Venue: Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, GA
- Game Date & Time: Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 7:00 PM
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Jacksonville State Record: 1-1 this season
- Georgia Southern Record: 0-2 this season
- Betting Odds: Georgia Southern favored with a moneyline of -174
Georgia Southern Eagles: Analyzing the Road Ahead
Offensive Overview
Georgia Southern’s offense has been moderately productive this season, averaging 34 points per game. Their passing game ranks 77th nationally with an average of 393 yards, while the rushing attack is 93rd with 226 yards per game. The Eagles are also effective in moving the chains, ranking 25th in first downs with an average of 39 per game.
In the previous season, Georgia Southern displayed a solid offense, finishing 51st in points for, and were notably effective in the air, ranking 46th in passing yards. The rushing offense remains an area for improvement, having ranked 92nd last season.
Defensive Challenges
Defensively, Georgia Southern has struggled, allowing 101 points this season, placing them 72nd nationally. Despite their challenges, the Eagles have been effective at creating turnovers, ranking 3rd in interceptions and 4th in fumbles recovered. However, they have yet to record a sack, which could be a key area to focus on.
Last season, the Eagles’ defense ranked 115th in points against, indicating room for significant improvement. Sacks and turnovers were areas of strength, with the team ranking 29th in sacks and 14th in interceptions.
Quarterback Play
JC French IV has been the primary quarterback for Georgia Southern, throwing for 337 yards and 4 touchdowns in two games. His performance places him 100th nationally in passing yards, but he’s shown proficiency with a first-place team ranking in both passing yards and touchdowns.
Supporting him, Weston Bryan has appeared in two games, but with limited impact. His passing yards and touchdowns rank significantly lower, indicating a clear reliance on French as the offensive leader.
Running Back and Receiver Contributions
OJ Arnold leads the backfield with 86 rushing yards this season, although he has yet to find the end zone. David Mbadinga provides additional depth with 59 rushing yards, but the ground game remains a work in progress.
At receiver, Camden Brown stands out with 130 yards and 3 touchdowns, offering a reliable target for French. Dalen Cobb and Josh Dallas contribute to the receiving corps, though their yardage and touchdown numbers suggest a need for greater involvement.
Betting Trends
- Straight Up (SU) All Games: 0-2 (0.0%)
- SU in Away Games: 0-2 (0.0%)
- Against the Spread (ATS) All Games: 0-2 (0.0%)
- ATS in Away Games: 0-2 (0.0%)
- Over/Under (O/U) All Games: 2-0 (100.0%)
- O/U in Away Games: 2-0 (100.0%)
Jacksonville State Gamecocks: Analyzing the Upcoming Battle
Offensive Dynamics
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks enter the 2025 season with a strong emphasis on their rushing attack. Ranking 20th in the nation, they have amassed 508 rushing yards, showcasing their ground game efficiency. Their passing game, however, has been less effective, with only 209 passing yards ranking them 125th.
In their recent win against the Liberty Flames, the Gamecocks’ running game stood out with 343 rushing yards. This performance underscored their offensive strategy and reliance on the run to control the game.
Defensive Strengths
Defensively, the Gamecocks have demonstrated an ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks, ranking 5th with 6 sacks this season. This aggressive approach has contributed to their solid defensive play. Additionally, they rank 2nd in interceptions, highlighting their opportunistic secondary.
Jacksonville State’s defense will need to maintain this level of intensity to stifle opponents and support their offense. The ability to recover fumbles, as evidenced by their 4th-place ranking, adds another layer to their defensive prowess.
Key Players to Watch
On offense, Cam Cook has emerged as a key contributor with 270 rushing yards, placing him 6th nationally. His ability to gain yards on the ground is crucial for the Gamecocks’ offensive success.
Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt leads the passing game, having thrown for 191 yards in two games. While the passing attack has room for improvement, Wimsatt’s leadership remains vital.
Recent Game Insights
The Gamecocks’ recent victory over Liberty showcased their strengths, particularly in the running game. Despite trailing in first downs and passing yards, their dominant rushing attack and turnover-free play propelled them to a 34-24 win.
Their previous game against UCF resulted in a narrow 17-10 loss, highlighting the need for a more balanced offensive approach. Improving their passing efficiency could be key to future success.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 1-1 (50.0%)
- SU in Home Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS as Underdog: 1-1 (50.0%)
- O/U in Away Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
Georgia Southern vs Jacksonville State Prediction: Over 58.5
Both Georgia Southern and Jacksonville State have demonstrated strong offensive capabilities early in the 2025 season. Georgia Southern has averaged 34 points per game, while Jacksonville State has put up 44 points. This suggests that both teams have potent offenses capable of scoring frequently.
Defensively, both teams have shown vulnerabilities. Georgia Southern has allowed an average of 101 points against, and Jacksonville State has given up 41 points. With both teams struggling defensively, there is a high potential for a high-scoring game.
Betting trends also indicate that Georgia Southern games have consistently gone over the total. They are 2-0 in hitting the over this season, indicating a tendency for games involving them to be high scoring. Jacksonville State’s offensive output further supports the potential for the total score to exceed the set line of 58.5.
Combining these offensive and defensive stats, it is reasonable to project a game with a lot of points on the board. A predicted final score in favor of Georgia Southern 38 – Jacksonville State 35 supports the over 58.5 pick.
- Georgia Southern vs Jacksonville State Prediction: Over 58.5
- Georgia Southern vs Jacksonville State Score: Georgia Southern 38 – Jacksonville State 35
