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

The 2024 Cure Bowl kicks off a loaded weekend slate this afternoon from Orlando, Fla. when the Ohio Bobcats take on the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. Kickoff is slated for Noon ET (ESPN) from Camping World Stadium.

Our Ohio vs. Jacksonville State prediction backs the 4.5-point favorites at the best college football betting sites due to its defensive dominance. The below picks are part of our college bowl game predictions. 

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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%

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 nullify Jacksonville State’s bread and butter completely. 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.  

Our Mike Spector expects Ohio QB Parker Navarro to lead the charge with his Ohio vs. Jacksonville State player prop picks.

Ohio vs. Jacksonville State best pick

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Under 56.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

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 (-110)
• Jacksonville State: +2 (-110)

Ohio vs. Jacksonville State odds movement

The Cure Bowl spread opened up with Ohio listed as a 2-point favorite with the best sports betting apps. However, public money has poured in on the Bobcats since the matchup was announced. The spread has flirted with a touchdown in the days leading up to kickoff, but it appears unlikely it'll get that large.

The consensus seems to be somewhere between a 5.5- and 6.5-point spread. Our best live betting sites list it as Ohio -6 for this afternoon's game. 

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

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