The Texas State Bobcats and South Alabama Jaguars are ready to do battle on the turf at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The matchup is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to ESPN+.
Texas State Bobcats vs. South Alabama Jaguars Betting Preview
The Bobcats head into this Saturday SBC matchup as a big underdog and they’re currently getting 11 points. The Bobcats are also receiving +325 moneyline odds while the Jaguars are -450. There will probably be multiple solid live betting possibilities for this showdown.
The early action has slanted toward the Jags. This game’s opening line was -10.
The Bobcats have lost 1.0 unit this season and are 0-2 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 1-1. The Jaguars have lost 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors so far. They’re 1-1 ATS and own an O/U record of 2-0.
The Bobcats have gone 1-1 straight up (SU) and they haven’t faced any SBC competition yet. The Jaguars are 0-2 SU overall and are also 0-0 SU in conference play.
The Bobcats are coming off a resounding 36-20 win over Texas Southern last week where their secondary allowed the Tigers to air it out for 315 yards and three touchdowns. Tren’Davian Dickson was unstoppable for the Tigers in that one with 159 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches. On the offensive side, Willie Jones III completed 17-of-28 passes for 235 yards and one touchdown. Jones III (107 yards on 18 rush attempts) also led the running attack in the win and was complemented by Anthony D. Taylor (64 yards on 14 carries, one TD). Keenen Brown (seven receptions, 108 yards, one TD) and Tyler Watts (four catches, 33 yards) handled the receiving duties.
One week ago, Oklahoma State got the win against this South Alabama team by a score of 55-13. The Jags defensive unit allowed the Cowboys to pass for 453 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 164 yards and four scores. Tylan Wallace was a force to be reckoned with, recording 166 yards on 10 catches for Oklahoma State. As a group, the Jags collectively completed 17-of-34 passes for 136 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Evan Orth went 14-for-25 for 119 yards, one touchdown and one interception while Cole Garvin was three-of-six for 17 yards. Tra Minter (1 rushing yards on 8 attempts) spearheaded the ground game in the defeat while Jamarius Way (five receptions, 48 yards) and Baker (four catches, 29 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching corps.
Texas State has run the ball on 60.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while South Alabama has an overall rush percentage of 58.4 percent. The Bobcats have run for 187 yards per game and have one touchdown via handoffs this year. The Jags are totaling 148 rush yards per game and have four total rushing TDs.
Judging by the early season results, it appears that the Bobcats might own an edge in all aspects of the ground game. Their backfield has produced 4.5 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 3.8 to opponents. The Jaguars have registered 3.7 yards per carry and allowed a YPC of 4.3 to opponents.
The Bobcats offensive scheme has averaged 172 yards through the air overall and has only one passing TD so far. The Jags have put up 114 pass yards per game and have two total pass scores.
Texas State seems to hold an advantage in both defensive facets. The team’s allowed opponents to rush for an average of 127 yards and throw for 260 yards per game. The South Alabama defense has allowed 331 yards per game to opposing passers and 197.5 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Bobcats have given up an ANY/A of 6.24 to opposing QBs, while the Jags are yielding an ANY/A of 5.95.
Offensively, Jones III is up to 235 passing yards this season. He’s completed 17-of-28 attempts with one passing scores and has yet to throw an interception. Jones III’s got an 8.24 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 4.67 over the last two outings.
Look for a balanced attack offensively from Texas State in this one. Willie Jones III, Keenen Brown and Anthony D. Taylor have combined to account for 372 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns as a trio over the last two outings.
In the other huddle, Evan Orth has managed to complete 14-of-25 passes for 119 yards, one TD and one INT. Orth’s ANY/A sits at a terrible 3.07 for the season and 3.85 over his last two outings.
Look for Orth to distribute the football early and often in this one. Kawaan Baker (29 receiving yards and one receiving TD this season), Evan Orth (zero receiving yards), and Jamarius Way (48 receiving yards) have collectively recorded 120 receiving yards and two TDs over the last couple of games.
These two conference adversaries did not get a chance to face each other a year ago.
Betting Prediction: Texas State Bobcats vs. South Alabama Jaguars
SU Winner – South Alabama, ATS Winner – South Alabama
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Bobcats offense has registered two pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Jaguars have put up zero such plays.
The Texas State defense has allowed three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while South Alabama has given up two such plays.
The Texas State offense has created four rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while South Alabama has created two such runs.
The Bobcats defense has allowed one rushing play of 20 yards or more, while the Jaguars have given up three such runs.
The South Alabama D has notched seven sacks on the year while Texas State has two.
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