NCAA Football
2025-12-16 - Troy Trojans at Jacksonville State
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : College Football IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl
Tuesday 16th December 2025 - Scheduled 9pm
2am (British Time)
Preview
Two teams that reached Conference Championship Games will meet in one of the early Bowl Games in the 2025 season.
The Troy Trojans (8-5) and Jacksonville State Gamecocks (8-5) both came up short in the respective Championship Game- the Trojans were beaten by James Madison, who have earned a spot in the College Football Playoff, while the the Gamecocks were narrowly beaten by Kennesaw State Owls in a low-scoring encounter.
For some of the bigger schools in recent years, the Bowl Game has been seen as a chance for players to skip out and focus on the NFL Draft. The transfer portal has made that an issue for all who are playing at this time of the season and Troy are going to be without their top Running Back, which is a problem considering the issues the Trojans have had in establishing the run all season.
That looks likely to be the case again, while Quarter Back Goose Crowder has been listed as Questionable, despite recently returning to action and giving the Trojans a lift until the defeat in the Sun Belt Championship Game.
With the likelihood being Troy having some issues running the ball, it is key to have Goose Crowder available- he will certainly have some holes to attack in this Gamecocks Secondary, while the experience of the Quarter Back will be important to ensure the Offensive Line can at least offer some protection against the Jacksonville State pass rush.
Running the ball is always important at this time of the season and the Gamecocks Offensive Line have to believe they can earn the victory at the Line of Scrimmage when they have the ball in their hands. They are going up against a Trojans Defensive Line that really struggled to contain the run in the last few weeks and Jacksonville State will want to be in front of the chains with Cam Cook leading the way at Running Back.
This can only help young Quarter Back Caden Creel, who is capable of providing a dual-threat out of the position, and the Gamecocks look like an underdog that can pull the upset outright.
Jacksonville State are 1-1 in Bowl Games over the last two years, but they are 1-0-1 against the spread in those games.
The Trojans had won four straight Bowl Games and covered in a winning effort three times in a row, but were beaten outright and against the spread in 2023. This has been a bounce back season for Troy in the second season under Head Coach Gerad Parker, but taking the points with the narrow underdog who can provide the stronger performance at the Line of Scrimmage feels the right play.
Prediction
Take the points with the narrow underdog.
The Pick :
Jacksonville State 20-17 Troy Trojans
