The 2024 season is underway, and it started in much different fashion for Louisville than it did Jacksonville State.
The Cardinals dominated Austin Peay from start to finish at home, while the Gamecocks surrendered 55 points in a blowout loss to Jacksonville State.
We're onto Week 2, and below is a full preview and a Jacksonville State vs. Louisville prediction.
Jacksonville State vs Louisville Prediction
- Pick: Louisville -29.5
My Jacksonville State vs. Louisville best bet is on the Cardinals to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at BetRivers, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Jacksonville State vs Louisville Odds
| Jacksonville State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+29 -112 | 56.5 -110 / -113 | +2000 |
| Louisville Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-29 -113 | 56.5 -110 / -113 | -6500 |
- Jacksonville State vs Louisville Point Spread: Jacksonville State +29 (-112) · Louisville -29 (-113)
- Jacksonville State vs Louisville Total: Over/Under 56.5
Jacksonville State vs Louisville Preview
Jacksonville State Betting Preview: Flush Last Week's Performance
The Gamecocks are still relatively new to FBS football, which is never an easy transition, but they did win nine games a year ago.
That created some high expectations for 2024, but the opener wasn't very promising.
The Gamecocks had no answer for the Coastal Carolina rushing attack, allowing nearly 300 yards on the ground and giving up 552 yards of total offense.
The JSU front seven got pushed around, which doesn't bode well for this week as the Gamecocks will be tasked with stopping a very physical Louisville OL group and rushing attack.
To make matters worse, Furman transfer QB Tyler Huff was only able to complete seven passes through the air and tossed two interceptions.
If it weren't for a couple garbage time touchdowns, the scoreboard would've been even more lopsided in favor of the Chanticleers.
What can Jacksonville State do to flush this and be more competitive against Louisville?
To start, it needs to take much better care of the ball. Three total turnovers last week really hurt, and if that happens again on Saturday, the Cardinals can turn this into a blowout quickly.
Beyond that, Huff must be more accurate and JSU needs to lean on its experienced running backs Anwar Lewis and Tre Stewart.
Louisville Betting Preview: Easy Work for Cards
The first game of year two for Jeff Brohm couldn't have gone any better.
Louisville put up 571 yards of total offense and absolutely dominated APSU, 62-0.
I said in the offseason that if Tyler Shough could stay healthy he would be a major upgrade at QB from Jack Plummer.
The Oregon and Texas Tech transfer looked the part in Week 1. Shough went 18-of-24 and threw for four touchdowns, looking very settled and composed in his new offense.
Brohm's offenses typically have a nice balance between the air and the ground, and that was the case last Saturday.
I don't see it playing out any differently this week. The Cardinals should be able to run all over a weak JSU front, which will then open up passing lanes for Shough to find his weapons.
On the other side of the ball, I liked what I saw from Louisville, particularly in the secondary.
That was a unit that really struggled a year ago but seems to have made some strides entering 2024.
Look for Louisville to once again generate a lot of pressure in the backfield and force Jacksonville State into a lot of third-and-long situations.
Jacksonville State vs Louisville Pick & Prediction
I said last week that I didn't think Louisville had that high of a ceiling but that I felt comfortable backing it as a big favorite against Austin Peay.
It's the same story this week. The Cardinals have major advantages on both sides of the ball and should be able to get whatever they want whenever they want.
JSU won't be able to contain the Cardinals' rushers, and Shough will build off of a very promising opening performance.
Give me the Cards to cover the number at home and win this one by 30+.
Pick: Louisville -29.5
How to Watch Jacksonville State vs Louisville Live: Start Time, TV Channel, Location
| Location: | L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium |
| Date: | Saturday, Sept. 7 |
| Kickoff Time: | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ACC Network Extra |
Jacksonville State vs Louisville Betting Trends
- 97% of the money is on Louisville against the spread, while 75% of the bets are on the Cards ATS.
