Jackson State vs South Carolina State Prediction, Pick & Odds – Cricket Celebration Bowl
By Zach Reger in College Football
Published:
- Jackson State and South Carolina State play in the 2024 Cricket Celebration Bowl
- South Carolina State is a 3-point favorite
- See below for the latest Jackson State vs South Carolina State odds, picks, and predictions for Saturday, December 14
The 2024 Celebration Bowl features a rematch of 2021. In that game, South Carolina State defeated a Deion Sanders-led Jackson State team 31-10. The last matchup between these two programs was in 2023 where SC State won again 37-7.
Kickoff for this game is scheduled for noon ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Keep reading for my prediction and best bets for Jackson State vs South Carolina State.
Jackson State vs South Carolina State Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson State Tigers | +3 (-115) | +120 | Over 53 (-112) |
| South Carolina State Bulldogs | -3 (-105) | -142 | Under 53 (-108) |
The college football odds list South Carolina State as a 3-point favorite over the Tigers on Saturday. Jackson State opened as the favorite in this one before flipping to the underdog. The Tigers were -1.5 but are now +3. On Monday, the total was 54.5 before shifting to 53.
Odds as of Friday, December 13 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Make sure you claim the best DraftKings promo code before locking in your Jackson State vs South Carolina State bets.
Jackson State Betting Trends
This is the third time in four years that Jackson State has made it to the Celebration Bowl. They lost in back-to-back years in 2021 and 2022. The Tigers are 11-2 on the season and have won eight in a row.
The Tigers have a high-powered offense that is fueled through their rushing attack. They run the ball 40 times a game on their way to averaging 37.1 points per game, which is fifth in the FCS. As a team, Jackson State is averaging over 200 rushing yards per game and is led by an elite running back Irv Mulligan. Mulligan runs for 106.7 yards per game and is averaging an incredible 6.5 yards per carry.
𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐂 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 🏈
Congratulations to Irv Mulligan on being named the 2024 SWAC Football Offensive Player of the Year!@generalmotors#SWACFB | #BuildingChampionsForLife pic.twitter.com/lVYJJBT8gf
— Southwestern Athletic Conference (@theswac) December 2, 2024
On defense, Jackson State is equally as impressive. The Tigers are tenth in the FCS in scoring defense and allow just 17.92 points per game. They allow 3.5 yards per carry and have a talented secondary as well. Their defense has also made it difficult for opponents on third down. Jackson State is ranked eleventh in the FCS in third-down conversion percentage defense.
South Carolina State Betting Trends
South Carolina State has had the luxury of not playing since November 23, while Jackson State played in the SWAC Championship last weekend. The Bulldogs are 9-2 on the season and have won eight straight after starting the season 1-2.
The Bulldogs offense runs through HBCU+ National Player of the Year Eric Phoenix. On the season, Phoenix has thrown for 2,469 yards, 20 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. In his last four games, he has thrown 10 touchdowns and just one interception. South Carolina State averages 35.5 points per game and has a decent ground game as well with Kazarius Adams and Deondra Duehart.
South Carolina State is top eight in the FCS in total defense. They are great against the run and allow 3.5 yards per carry and just 114 yards per game. On top of that, the Bulldogs are opportunistic on defense. They force over two turnovers per game.
Celebration Bowl Prediction
The matchup that will determine this game is Jackson State’s rushing attack vs SC State’s rush defense. Mulligan will be the most talented running back that the Bulldogs have faced yet this season, but I am going to trust South Carolina State’s defense to limit the explosive plays on the ground and make Jackson State try to throw the ball.
Jackson State quarterback Jacobian Morgan averages 154.1 passing yards per game as the offense does not throw the ball often. They average just 22 attempts per game. This game could get difficult for the Tigers if they need to throw the ball more than they are used to.
Both teams are great at stopping the run, but with Jackson State being more of a one-dimensional offense, I am going to side with South Carolina State in this matchup. Jackson State’s secondary has been vulnerable at times this season, so Phoenix has a chance to take over. The Bulldogs are well-rested and well-prepared for this game, so they should win (and cover the spread) for the third time in a row against Jackson State.
Jackson State vs SC State Pick: South Carolina State -3 (-105)
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Zach has been involved in the sports betting industry for three years. After starting to bet on sports in college, Zach was interested in how it can make any game interesting. The trends, line movement, and finding unique angles to predict the outcomes of games captivated Zach to get more involved.
