Liberty vs Jacksonville State Prediction 10-30-24 College Football Picks
Jacksonville State Gamecocks (4-3) vs. Liberty Flames (5-1)
October 30, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Liberty Flames +1.5 / Jacksonville State Gamecocks -1.5; Over/Under: +63.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks and the Liberty Flames meet Wednesday in college football action from Williams Stadium. Here’s a Liberty vs Jacksonville State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Liberty vs Jacksonville State pick.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks Betting Preview
The Gamecocks started out 0-3 with losses to Coastal Carolina, Louisville, and Eastern Michigan. The good news is that Jacksonville State recovered from there to take out Southern Miss, Kennesaw State, and New Mexico State in the next trio of outings.
Jacksonville State kept their win streak going last Wednesday versus Middle Tennessee. The Gamecocks scored 14 points in the first quarter and 21 in the second during a 42-20 victory. QB Tyler Huff logged 137 yards with one TD. Huff had 151 ground yards and two scores, but Tre Stewart did most of the running on 210 yards and a score of his own.
Liberty Flames Betting Preview
Over on the Liberty side, they got off to a nice start with four straight wins over Campbell, New Mexico State, UTEP, and East Carolina. The Flames had a game canceled versus Appalachian State, then took out FIU 31-24 the next week.
Liberty took their first loss of the season last week versus Kennesaw State. The Flames were outscored 13-10 in the second half during a 27-24 result. QB Kaidon Salter logged 206 yards with three scores and an interception while also leading the rush with 87 yards on nine totes.
Why the Liberty Flames will win
- Liberty has won each of its last 12 games at Arthur L. Williams Stadium.
- The favorite has covered the spread in each of Jacksonville State’s last four games.
- Liberty has won the first half in three of its last four home games against conference opponents.
Why the Jacksonville State Gamecocks will win
- Jacksonville State has won each of its last five games in October.
- Jacksonville State has covered the spread in each of its last five October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Liberty has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four October games as a home favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Jacksonville State has won the first half in five of its last six games against conference opponents.
- Jacksonville State has won the first quarter in five of its last six games against conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Jacksonville State’s last three games as a road underdog have gone OVER the total points line.
- Three of Liberty’s last four October games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Liberty vs Jacksonville State Prediction
I’m going to stay with Liberty. The Flames need a good bounce-back here following a disappointing loss to a struggling Kennesaw State team, though. Liberty put up 386 yards in that one (206 passing) with 22 first downs, nine penalties, and just 27:41 in time of possession. Overall the defense was adequate but couldn’t generate any takeaways and gave up 7-of-14 on third downs.
As for Jacksonville State, they put on a rushing clinic in their blowout win over Middle Tennessee. The Gamecocks mustered a whopping 438 ground yards (575 total) in that one along the way to 30 first downs. This week’s matchup should be a pretty good one. I like Liberty to eke out a cover in a return to form, but they’ve got to slow down the run.
