Dec. 16, 2025, 6:04 a.m. ET
Synonymous with the holiday season is the grandeur of bowl season. With the holidays right around the corner, the faint echo of a bowl game on the television in the background can soothe just about anyone. This week marks the start of bowl games, and Tuesday features a matchup between the Sun Belt and Conference USA.
From the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama, the Troy Trojans (8-5) and the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (8-5) will square off in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl.
If you are looking for some betting advice for the matchup, we’ve got you covered. Here are the latest odds for the game, courtesy of DraftKings.
Troy vs. Jacksonville State game odds:
All college football odds via DraftKings
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Spread: Troy -2.5 (-108), Jacksonville State +2.5 (-112)Money Line: Troy -130, Jacksonville State +110Over-Under: Over 46.5 (-112), Under 46.5 (-108)Troy vs. Jacksonville State prediction, pick:
Jacksonville State is going to run the ball and run it a lot. The Gamecocks go for 258 yards per game at 5.5 yards per carry. They are dominant on the ground, led by running back Cam Cook, who has 1,659 yards and 16 touchdowns this year. Joining him in the 1,000-yard rusher club is quarterback Caden Creel, who has 1,085 yards on the ground.
Troy gives up 183 rushing yards per game, which doesn’t match up well. On offense, the Trojans are the opposite of the Gamecocks. Troy doesn’t even average 100 rushing yards per game. And to be transparent, their passing attack isn’t exactly head-turning, either, but quarterback Goose Crowder has proven he can sling it if need be.
Bowl games are fickle. They don’t play out as teams expect, and funky things happen; you never know if a team will be tense or loose in these Group of Five matchups, which are crucial to these programs. One thing that does travel and transcend the rest is a run game. Jacksonville State can rely on Cam Cook and feed him until Troy either stops him or he finds the endzone.
Prediction: Jacksonville State 29, Troy 26
Best Bet: Jacksonville State Money Line
Troy vs. Jacksonville State channel, start time, streaming:
Time: 9 p.m. ET
TV Channel: ESPN
Live Stream: ESPN App
Watch Troy vs. Jacksonville State on FuboTV (free trial)
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
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