What time does the UAB vs Jacksonville State game start?
The UAB Blazers meet the Jacksonville State Gamecocks Wednesday in a neutral-site game at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery Ala. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Below, we look at the UAB vs. Jacksonville State odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
What are the odds of UAB vs Jacksonville State?
The Blazers are favored by 16.5-points in the latest UAB vs. Jacksonville State odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 52. Before making any Jacksonville State vs. UAB picks, check out the college football predictions from the SportsLine’s Emory Hunt.
Will UAB open defense of Conference USA title against Jacksonville State?
The UAB Blazers look to open defense of their Conference USA title when they take on the in-state rival Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Wednesday night. Jacksonville State also won its conference last season and reached the FCS playoffs this past spring. The Blazers finished 6-3 in 2020 to capture their second C-USA title in the last three years.
How good is UAB football?
UAB is a solid offensive unit, but again, you have to wonder about the conditioning of Jacksonville State. It could start this neutral-site battle a bit on the sluggish side. UAB allowed 16 or fewer points in five of its final seven games last season, and its defense should be sturdy again in 2021, too.
Money line
Playing UAB (-850) will cost you eight and a half times your potential return in this mid-week opener, and that’s not a recommended play. Over the long term, those types of costly chalky bets will come back to bite you and wash away any gains you have made. It’s a poor long-term strategy.
Against the spread
This is a solid mid-tier FBS team in UAB -16.5 (-112) playing an FCS team in Jacksonville State. That alone isn’t the reason to back the defending C-USA champs, however. One has to wonder if the Gamecocks will simply be tired after playing nine games in the spring. There hasn’t been a refractory period, and it will be interesting to see.
Why UAB can cover
The Blazers return a boatload of talent, and much of it is on the defensive side of the ball. For a third consecutive year, UAB finished in the top 10 nationally in total defense. The Blazers were seventh in 2020, eighth in 2019 and ninth in 2018.
Why Jacksonville State can cover
Despite that, the Blazers are not a lock to cover the UAB vs. Jacksonville State spread. That’s because the Gamecocks are also coming off a conference championship, winning the Ohio Valley Conference with a 6-1 mark this spring. It was their 24th conference crown in the school’s football history.
How to make Jacksonville State vs. UAB picks
Hunt is leaning under on the point total. He has also found a critical x-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. You can only get the pick at SportsLine .
UAB vs Jacksonville State odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
UAB vs Jacksonville State betting preview
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
UAB will face off against FCS Jacksonville State in the all-Alabama Montgomery Kickoff at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. (Yes, Jacksonville State is in Alabama for those who didn’t know). The Blazers are two-touchdown favorites but this won’t be a walk in the park.
UAB vs Jacksonville State betting card
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Where can I bet on college football odds?
You can bet on college football odds at every online and casino sportsbook, including NCAA moneylines, spreads, Over/Under totals, and a ton of college football prop odds. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on college football odds in your area.
When UAB Has the Ball
The Blazers lost all-time rushing leader Spencer Brown, but UAB should have a potent rushing attack. DeWayne McBride and Jermaine Brown Jr. are expected to team up in the backfield. McBride averaged an incredible 9.3 yards on 47 rushing attempts as a true freshman in 2020, finishing with 439 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
When Jacksonville State Has the Ball
Like many teams across the country, Jacksonville State returns most of its lineup. The Gamecocks will also get the added boost of quarterback Zerrick Cooper, who did not play in the spring.
Final Analysis
UAB has been one of the most consistent and successful programs in Conference USA and should again compete for the league crown.
About UAB
The UAB Blazers, 6-3 overall in 2020, are coming off their third straight C-USA division title and second conference crown in the last three years. The Blazers are 34-16 since 2017 under head coach Bill Clark.
About Jacksonville State
Jacksonville State, an ASUN member, is ranked No. 8 in the AFCA FCS Top 25 as the Gamecocks return most of their roster from last year’s squad that went 10-3 and reached the quarterfinals of the FCS tournament. JSU claimed its ninth OVC crown and sixth in the past seven years this past spring.
Prediction
I expect this to be an outstanding contest but I believe that UAB (-720 money line has too much talent overall and will prevail in the second half. However, I’m taking JSU to cover as UAB won each of its last two season-openers against FCS teams by a total of 15 points.
Score Prediction – UAB 34 Jacksonville State 17
There is nothing better than the yearly tradition of allowing small market teams to play in these big prime-time weeknight games at the beginning of the year. With all eyes on UAB vs. Jacksonville State, we should expect these teams to play their hardest at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on Wednesday night.
UAB Blazers vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks Betting Analysis
At the end of the day, a lot of these non-conference matchups end up in blowouts. I’m definitely not taking Jacksonville State for granted this year, but UAB is a tough opponent to start out the year. I predict UAB covers the spread but I don’t think it will be in grand fashion.
UAB vs. Jacksonville State Odds
UAB enters as a sizable favorite at the best sites for betting on college football.
Why UAB Wins
The Blazers are going to run the ball downhill with authority against the opposition this season.
Why Jacksonville State Wins
We see FCS over FBS upsets every season, and this wouldn’t be the biggest of shockers. The ability to have stellar quarterback play is vital.
UAB vs. Jacksonville State Prediction
This game will be the only college football matchup on Wednesday night. If you are pumped for football and want some bold calls for the upcoming season, check out these 10 bold college football predictions for 2021.
UAB vs. Jacksonville State Pick
There will be some opening weekend games that do not have a money line due to the FBS against FCS matchup that many sportsbooks won’t post.
