First look: Storylines, betting odds for USC football’s game vs. Jacksonville State

Madison Hricik
·4 min read
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After back-to-back road games, South Carolina returns home for the rest of the regular season. And first up on its list of four foes is the Gamecocks.

The other Gamecocks, that is.

Here’s an early look at the storylines and TV information for USC’s game against Jacksonville State.

South Carolina vs. Jacksonville State TV/stream info

Who: South Carolina (2-6, 1-5 SEC) vs. Jacksonville State (7-2, 5-1 CUSA)

Where: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC

When: Noon Saturday

TV: ESPNU

Stream: via the ESPN app

Series history: This is the first meeting between South Carolina and Jacksonville State. The two programs are the only schools with the Gamecocks mascot in the country.

Vegas betting odds

South Carolina is a 15.5-point favorite against Jacksonville State, according to Draft Kings.

About South Carolina

South Carolina returns home for the final four games of the regular season after falling to Texas A&M 30-17 in College Station. It was the team’s fourth-straight loss and left USC 0-4 on the road.

afety DQ Smith was ejected in the second half against the Aggies for targeting, leaving USC down a starting defender for the first half of this week’s game. Shane Beamer said Sunday evening the program has appealed to the NCAA about the targeting penalty against Smith. Should the call be overturned, Smith will be eligible for the entire game instead of just the second half.

USC had multiple players with new or lingering injuries following Texas A&M, but Beamer clarified on Sunday that most of those players, including tight end Trey Knox and receiver Xavier Legette, are OK. Offensive lineman Trai Jones suffered a high ankle sprain and is doubtful to play against Jacksonville State.

About Jacksonville State

The other Gamecocks joined the FBS in July as a member of the new-look Conference USA. They have seven wins but are one of two programs that are ineligible for a bowl game because they’re transitioning to the FBS level.

Jacksonville State’s most recent 41-16 win over Florida International was the third time this season they’ve won by at least three touchdowns. JSU is averaging 27 points, 166 passing yards and 211 rushing yards per game.

They struggled after their lead quarterbacks, Zion Webb and Logan Smothers, both suffered injuries during the team’s second loss of the season to Liberty two weeks ago. Since then, Webb has returned, going 9-for-19 with 130 yards and one touchdown against Florida International last week. Even so, JSU heavily relies on its run game. Webb led that category last week, too, with 125 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Gamecocks and Gamecocks to watch

USC DB Jalen Kilgore: South Carolina’s true freshman earned a new role against the Aggies — punt returner. Legette is usually the top choice there but was recovering from injury, so Beamer elected to give Kilgore the opportunity. Kilgore didn’t log any return stats and only had three tackles against Texas A&M, but he’s added a new role.

USC TE Josh Simon: Simon had a touchdown that put the Gamecocks within one score in the fourth quarter against Texas A&M. He has 12 catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns this year, and Saturday’s well-timed touchdown was a reminder with a thin receiver room that there are other players who can contribute when needed.

JSU RB Ron Wiggins: Wiggins was the second-best player on the ground for the JSU Gamecocks against Florida International last Wednesday, putting up two touchdowns on nine carries. The redshirt junior has averaged 6.7 rushing yards per outing despite only playing in four games this season.

JSU DB Jaylen “J-Rock” Swain: Swain had one of the biggest games defensively Saturday with his six tackles (three solo), three tackles for loss for 20 yards, two sacks and a quarterback hurry against FIU. He was one of the top defenders in JSU’s final season in the FCS, and has 16 total tackles through six games played.

South Carolina schedule