Ohio vs Jacksonville St. Odds & Picks: Bobcats Favored In Cure Bowl

Before diving into the first round of the first expanded College Football Playoff, Friday offers an exciting Cure Bowl game featuring the Ohio Bobcats (10-3), who are the 4.5-point favorites at FanDuel, and Jacksonville State Gamecocks (9-4).

These teams are coming off dominant conference championship victories as Ohio steamrolled Miami OH in a 38-3 win, while Jacksonville State took care of Western Kentucky with a final score of 52-12. Which outfit can maintain momentum and emerge victorious on Friday in Orlando? Let’s dive into the matchup and find out.

Cure Bowl - Ohio vs Jacksonville State Odds

Ohio vs Jacksonville State, Dec. 20, 12:00 pm ET

Odds as of Dec. 19 at FanDuel

Cure Bowl - Ohio vs Jacksonville State Picks

Ohio -4.5 (-110) at FanDuel

On the heels of highly successful seasons for each team, both head coaches were hired away to other programs. Former Ohio head coach Tim Albin took the head coaching job at Charlotte, while former Jacksonville State head coach is returning to West Virginia. Ohio swiftly promoted former offensive coordinator Brian Smith to the head coaching vacancy, while offensive coordinator Rod Smith will coach Jacksonville State on Friday.

Entering this season, the Ohio Bobcats were absolutely decimated in the transfer portal with one of the lowest returning production marks in the country. However, the since-departed Albin made lemons from lemonade, establishing a stout defensive identity for the Bobcats. Ohio finished the season, allowing just 17.5 points per game, the 11th-fewest in the country, and ranking top-15 in EPA/rush and rushing success rate allowed.

That elite run defense will be invaluable in this game, as the Jacksonville State offense ranks 11th in EPA/rush. Running back Tre Stewart had a massive season, finishing with 264 carries for 1,604 yards and 23 touchdowns. Quarterback Tyler Huff was also a big part of the run game, rushing for 1,343 yards and 14 touchdowns. 

The Bobcats match that elite run game with an excellent ground attack of their own, ranking 29th in rushing success rate. Running back Anthony Tyus III led the way with 1,111 yards and nine touchdowns, while quarterback Parker Navarro bolstered the offense with 935 rushing yards and 15 scores. Jacksonville State will have its hands full after ranking 99th in rushing success rate allowed this year.

Both teams in the Cure Bowl have ground-based attacks that powered them to conference championships. However, Ohio boasts a significantly better run defense, especially with Jacksonville State potentially losing key players to the transfer portal. Back the Bobcats as favorites in this game with new full-time head coach Brian Smith picking up his first win.

Ohio vs Jacksonville State Prop Picks -- Cure Bowl

Anthony Tyus III Over 88.5 Rushing Yards (-114) at FanDuel

Ohio running back Anthony Tyus III had a monster season, rushing for over 1,100 yards and ranking 14th in the country with 63 missed tackles forced. If you filter out a blowout loss to Kentucky and the regular season meeting with Miami OH, when he left early with an injury, Tyus has cleared this rushing yardage prop in 7 of 10 games this season.

Jacksonville State ranks 91st in rushing yards allowed per game (170.2) and could be without up to five defensive starters currently in the portal. That includes linebacker Reginald Hughes, who leads the team with 39 run stops and has transferred to Colorado. Tyus is a workhorse with three games this season with 27+ carries, and he has a massive ceiling in this game.

Ohio vs Jacksonville State Betting Trends