Skip to main content

Ohio vs. Jacksonville State Prediction & Picks: Cure Bowl Odds

Brenden Schaeffer

Last Updated: December 19, 2024 4:29 PM EST • 3 min 3 sec read.

Ohio Bobcats quarterback Nick Poulos hands the ball off to running back Rickey Hunt Jr. as we offer our Ohio vs. Jacksonville State prediction.
Ohio Bobcats quarterback Nick Poulos hands the ball off to running back Rickey Hunt Jr. Photo by Jordan Prather via Imagn Images

Despite coaching changes on either side, the Cure Bowl isn’t expected to see a major impact from transfer portal attrition.

Ohio is the 4.5-point favorites against Jacksonville State for the Friday's contest, taking place at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. (Noon ET, ESPN). 

Even without substantial roster changes, our Ohio vs. Jacksonville State prediction sees a statistical edge for a Bobcats defense that has been among the top units in the country. The below picks are part of our college bowl games predictions. 

Our college football bowl game opt-out tracker has you covered with the latest opt-out news and the impact on the college bowl game odds. 

Ohio vs. Jacksonville State prediction & best pick: Cure Bowl

College football picks based on the odds from our best college football betting sites. Odds subject to change.

  • Against the spread pick: Ohio -4.5 () vs. Jacksonville State ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • My best pick: Under 56.5 () ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ohio vs. Jacksonville State ATS prediction

Ohio to cover the spread: -4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -110 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 52.38%

Bet $5, Win $150 in Bonus Bets

New customers only. Deposit min. $5. Place first bet of $5+ and win $150 in Bonus Bets (within 72 hours).

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly

Both teams will operate under new coaches—Tim Albin left Ohio for Charlotte, and Rich Rodriguez left Jacksonville State for West Virginia. However, considering they've already taken the interim tag off Brian Smith and don't have any transfer portal entries, we're more partial to backing Ohio.

Jacksonville State's offense is primarily predicated on pounding the rock, averaging the second-most rushing yards per game (267.3 yards). But they’re facing an Ohio defense that shuts down opposing rushing attacks.

Bobcats are formidable up front

The Bobcats have allowed just 97.2 rushing yards per game (5th in FBS), which has shrunk to 47.7 yards per game over their last three contests.

I find it inconceivable for Ohio to completely nullify Jacksonville State’s bread and butter. Still, it’s hard to give the Gamecocks an edge when their most significant weapon should be rendered mostly ineffective against such an impressive run-stop unit. A winning $10 bet will profit $9.09.  

Ohio vs. Jacksonville State best pick

Our NEW college football player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

Under 56.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -110 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 52.38%

Up To $1,500 Back In Bonus Bets

Bonus bets will expire in 7 days. One new customer offer only. Additional terms and conditions apply.

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly

In addition to giving Ohio the edge on limiting Jacksonville State’s ground-and-pound offense, we like the Bobcats to dictate their will on this lofty game total.

Ohio allows just 18.4 points per game and has seen 10 of its 13 games fall below 56.5 total points.

Snail’s pace benefits Under

After opening at 52.5, the movement to 56.5 across our best sportsbooks works in our favor for the game script we’re expecting.

Neither side ranks highly in plays per game offensively. While Jacksonville State runs one of the quickest paces in the nation, its run-based offense falls outside the top 50 in plays per game. Along those lines, Ohio ranks 12th in rushing and 126th in offensive pace.

I don't anticipate a high-scoring affair with the clock running often along with Ohio’s ability to limit explosive runs. 

Ohio vs. Jacksonville State odds

See all of this week's college football odds and NCAAF scores.

Ohio vs. Jacksonville live odds

Ohio vs. Jacksonville opening odds:

  • Ohio: -2.5 (-110)
  • Jacksonville State: +2.5 (-110)

Ohio vs. Jacksonville State injuries

Cure Bowl game info

  • When: Friday, Dec. 20
  • Kickoff: Noon ET
  • Where: Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Fla.)
  • How to watch: ESPN
  • Weather: 69 degrees, 0% chance of precipitation, wind 10 mph W
  • Favorite: Ohio -4.5 (-110 via FanDuel)

College football betting odds pages

Here are our best college football betting sites:

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission

Related pages

Written By:
Brenden Schaeffer
Brenden has covered the St. Louis Cardinals as a credentialed baseball writer for KMOV-TV since 2016. His sports writing has appeared in outlets including the Austin American-Statesman and Columbia Daily Tribune. Since 2021, Brenden has co-hosted 'The Big Show' during the afternoon drive for KTGR, the ESPN radio affiliate in Columbia, MO. He has appeared on radio stations around the country, including KMOX, and hosts a daily St. Louis Cardinals podcast. In the sports betting content space, Brenden has covered the NFL, college football, NBA, and college basketball for outlets including SBR since 2019. For his football handicapping, Brenden looks to target NFL player prop markets as well as sharp underdog lines in college football. Brenden looks to reference FanDuel for his sports betting articles because of its consistently competitive odds on parlays. FanDuel's boost offerings are also customer-friendly, and its odds on the NFL Same Game Parlay articles he's written for SBR have historically been consistently competitive compared to other books.