Troy vs Jacksonville State Picks and Prediction for Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Use Code WWWC On Tuesday, the Troy Trojans play the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. Both teams are from Alabama, but will meet for the first time in 24 years. The opening kickoff is at 9:00 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on ESPN. Troy completed its regular season 8-5 overall and 6-2 in the Sun Belt Conference, winning the West division conference, but losing to James Madison 31-14 in the Conference Championship game. Jacksonville State finished the regular season 8-5 overall and 7-1 in the Conference USA.
Jacksonville State finished tied for first with Kennesaw State in the regular season but lost to the Owls 19-15 in the Conference Championship game. Make sure to read this in-depth Troy Trojans vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks prediction. Game day edge is here—check out our top NCAAF picks for Salute to Veterans Bowl: Troy vs. Jacksonville State prediction today.
Troy needs more from its offense, but its defense has been solid
The Troy Trojans scored an average of 24.3 points (97th) per game during the regular season, and allowed an average of 24.5 points (60th). Troy was 87th in passing yards and 130th in rushing yards, averaging 314.3 yards of total offense per game, which was 125th. The Trojans were 28th in passing yards allowed at 104th and rushing yards allowed, giving up an average of 380.3 yards per game, which was 62nd.
Tucker Kilcrease passed for 1,421 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions while taking over for starting quarterback Goose Crowder. However, Crowder (collarbone) returned to play for Troy against James Madison in the conference Championship game and, on the season, threw for 1,314 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. Troy's leading rusher was Tae Meadows, who gained 695 yards and six touchdowns, but Meadows has entered the transfer portal and will not play. The leading receiver was RaRa Thomas with 577 yards and five touchdown receptions. Linebacker Jordan Stringer was the leading tackler with 107. Troy’s defense made 32 quarterback sacks and intercepted 10 passes.
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Injuries: Troy has four players listed as questionable.
Transfer Portal Opt-Outs: RB Tae Meadows and DL DJ Jackson.
Jacksonville State scores plenty, but its defense gives up too many
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks scored an average of 30.2 (59th) per game during the regular season, while allowing an average of 26.8 (78th) per game. Jacksonville State was 3rd in rushing yards and 119th in passing yards per game, averaging 454.1 yards of total offense per game, which was 28th. The Gamecocks were 75th in rushing yards allowed and 119th in passing yards allowed per game, allowing a total of 423.8 yards per game, which was 104th.
Quarterback Cade Creel passed for 1,341 yards with 8 touchdowns and 4 interceptions during the regular season. The ground game carried Jacksonville State all season. Cam Cook finished the regular season with 1,659 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns, while Creel rushed for 1,085 yards and seven touchdowns. Cook was named CUSA Player of the Year. The leading receiver was Deondre Johnson with 623 yards and six touchdown receptions. Linebacker Walker O’Steen was the leading tackler with 80. The Jacksonville State defense made 26 quarterback sacks and intercepted 12 passes.
Injuries: Jacksonville State will play without LB Aidan Thompson, while seven others are listed as questionable, including CB Tyrin Taylor, who missed the conference Championship game.
Transfer Portal Opt-Outs: Jacksonville State does not have any players on its opt-out list
Salute to Veterans Bowl: Troy vs Jacksonville State Pick
Spread Pick for Salute to Veterans Bowl: Troy vs Jacksonville State
- Jacksonville State Gamecocks +2.5 (4 units)
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks are coming off a disappointing loss to the Kennesaw State Owls in the Conference USA championship game, but will bounce back with a strong effort to win as a short underdog on Tuesday. Jacksonville State will use its third-ranked rushing attack, which averaged 279.5 yards per game, against a Troy Trojans’ defense that struggled against the run, allowing an average of 182.3 yards per game on the ground. In addition, Troy starting quarterback Goose Crowder, who returned for the Sun Belt title game after missing several games, is listed as questionable. Look for the Gamecocks to take time off the clock with each possession by running the ball, creating fewer possessions for both and fewer scoring opportunities, keeping the game close and scoring late to win. Troy will play without running back Tae Meadows, who led the Trojans in rushing, but has entered the transfer portal and opted out of the game.
Over/Under Pick for Troy vs Jacksonville State
- Under 47 (4 units)
The total has finished over in all of Troy’s last 5 games, in five of the last six games that Troy has played against a Conference USA team, and in seven of Troy’s last eight games that have been played on Tuesday. Jacksonville State runs the ball much more often than passing and will use up big chunks of the clock on each possession.
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