Jacksonville State Gamecocks Preview 2024
Should we have seen it coming?
Sam Houston was supposed to be poised and ready to be the bigger star of the two programs coming up from the FCS world, but Jacksonville State was coming off a strong 9-2 season with an Atlantic Sun Championship, and little was expected.
There was talent returning, the schedule wasn’t that bad, and it was Rich Rodriguez with something to prove to the world. His offense didn’t quite work like it was supposed to, but the defense was stunningly great, the confidence was there in tight games, and … boom.
The team caught a break to get into a bowl game, went 9-4, and it showed that it’ll be a major player in Conference USA for years to come.
Going back to his final year at Michigan, Rodriguez now has winning seasons in eight of his last nine years as a head coach, and if the personnel can fill in the gaps right away, there’s no reason the second season can’t be every bit as fun, if not better, because …
NOTE: The previews were published early this summer. We tried to catch the changes, but if we missed anything, please let us know at @ColFootballNews and we'll fix it right away.
Jacksonville State Preview 2024: Offense
- The offense was fine, but it wasn’t quite as dominant as it could be. Everything moved fast, and it was efficient, but the passing game wasn’t sharp enough and it took way too much work to convert yards into points.
Getting the runners in space is what it’s all about, but all the top runners from last year are gone other than senior Anwar Lewis. He’ll be good in a rotation with Georgia transfer Andrew Paul and a few young newcomers who’ll be thrown into the rotation.
- Can the line be as efficient? The style of the fast-paced attack helped keep teams off the quarterback, and now three starters are expected back in the mix. There’s size to go along with enough depth to be okay - guard Clay Webb is terrific - but there’s not a lot to play around with the combination right away.
- UConn transfer Zion Turner will be dangerous if he gets the gig. Just okay with the Huskies, the sophomore quarterback will get the first look at the job with Logan Smothers - he ran for seven scores last year and threw for six and Furman transfer Tyler Huff each getting their chances.
The transfer portal mattered for the receiving corps - the Gamecocks lost way too many parts to the portal - with three new targets are coming in around veteran PJ Wells and all-conference TE Sean Brown.
Jacksonville State Preview 2024: Defense
- The defense came up big. The pass rush was among the best in the country, the third down stops were there, and when everything worked, the team won. The Gamecocks were 7-0 when allowing fewer than 365 yards, and 2-4 when giving up more. But now …
- The line took a major hit losing top pass rusher Chris Hardie to Ole Miss and Kamari Stephens to Arkansas State. J-Rock Swain is a good edge rusher who’ll once again be a problem, and the linebackers should be a plus, but the front 3/4 has to hold up with new starters. There’s size, but the depth is young.
- The secondary has work to do. The portal and graduation hit this bunch hard, but S Fred Perry is back as one of the team’s leading tacklers, and Derek Carter a good young corner coming off a strong first season.
Jacksonville State Key To The Season
Limit the mistakes.
Almost everyone needs to avoid the big problems to win, but considering how many close battles Jacksonville State will have again, there can’t be a slew of errors.
Penalties weren’t a problem last year, but when Jacksonville State got hit with seven or more flags they were 1-4, and 8-0 when keeping the sins to a minimum. The 20 turnovers were too many, but they came in bulk - the team was 7-1 when it didn’t turn it over multiple times.
Jacksonville State Key Player
WR Michael Pettway, Jr.
The roster is loaded with wide receiver options, but they’re either untested, new, little used, or all of the above. Top targets Perry Carter and Quinton Lane are done, and TE Sean Brown will be the main man in the clutch.
A deep threat playmaker is needed, but Pettway only averaged 11.5 yards per catch on his 17 grabs. Basically, a No. 1 wide receiver has to emerge.
Jacksonville State Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss
Top Transfer In: RB Andrew Paul
Yet another one of Georgia’s good recruits, he got banged up early, didn’t get too much work last season with 29 yards and a score, and now he might be a statistical star in the Gamecock offense. The skill and talent are there, and he’ll get the opportunity to be special.
Top Transfer Out: OT Xavier Bausley
The Jacksonville State offensive line shouldn’t be too bad - the offense tends to make the players by keeping them in a rhythm - but Bausley was a strong, consistent talent at right tackle. Now the 6-5, 315-pounder will be working at West Virginia.
Jacksonville State Key Game
Coastal Carolina, Aug. 31
There might be several more important games once the Conference USA season starts, but momentum in Year Two might be everything.
Last year’s struggle to get by a mediocre UTEP team to kick off the FBS era might not have seemed like much, but in hindsight it appeared to set a tone. Winning at home against Coastal Carolina - the Chanticleers won 30-16 last year - would mean even more.
Jacksonville State 10 Best Players
1. J-Rock Swain, EDGE Sr.
2. Clay Webb, OG Sr.
3. Sean Brown, TE Sr.
4. Derek Carter, CB Jr.
5. Fred Perry, S Jr.
6. Laletia Hale, LB Sr.
7. Zion Turner, QB Soph.
8. Anwar Lewis, RB Sr.
9. Will O’Steen, OT Jr.
10. Andrew Paul, RB Soph.
Jacksonville State 2023 Fun Stats
- Sacks: Jacksonville State 38 for 283 yards, Opponents 16 for 113 yards
- 3rd Quarter Scoring: Jacksonville State 103, Opponents 54
- Time of Possession: Opponents 33:17, Jacksonville State 26:43
Jacksonville State 2024 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen
It’ll be tough to get back to the nine-win mark without a whole bunch of luck, but the team is good enough to be in bowl contention and, potentially, in the mix for the Conference USA title.
The road games at Louisville, Liberty, and Western Kentucky should all be losses, but the other away dates at Eastern Michigan, Kennesaw State, and Louisiana Tech are all gettable.
There isn’t a sure-thing home loss, but there’s nothing easy, especially early.
Getting past a run of three road games in four weeks over the first half of the season will be tough, but somehow the team will nickel and dime its way to at least six win and another bowl appearance.
Set The Jacksonville State Win Total At … 6.5
Likely Wins: FIU, at Kennesaw State
50/50 Games: Coastal Carolina, at Eastern Michigan, at Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, Sam Houston, Southern Miss, at WKU
Likely Losses: at Liberty, at Louisville
2024 Jacksonville State Football Schedule
Aug 31 Coastal Carolina
Sept 7 at Louisville
Sept 14 at Eastern Michigan
Sept 21 Southern Miss
Sept 28 OPEN DATE
Oct 4 at Kennesaw State
Oct 9 New Mexico State
Oct 19 OPEN DATE
Oct 23 Middle Tennessee
Oct 30 at Liberty
Nov 9 at Louisiana Tech
Nov 16 FIU
Nov 23 Sam Houston
Nov 30 at WKU
Missing: UTEP
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