Matchup: Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs UCF Knights
Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025
Venue: FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Betting Line: Knights favored by 20.5 points
Over/Under Total: 52.5
On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (9-5 last season) travel to FBC Mortgage Stadium to face the UCF Knights (4-8 in the previous year). The Knights are the favorites in this clash, opening with a -20.5 spread as per Vegas odds. The game has an over/under set at 52.5 points.
Last season, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks finished with a commendable 9-5 record. Their concluding game saw them lose 30-27 to the Ohio Bobcats. In that matchup, Jacksonville State rushed the ball 35 times for just 42 yards, averaging a mere 1.2 yards per carry. They managed 406 total yards from 69 plays. Defensively, they allowed 19 completions on 28 attempts for 254 yards, showcasing a completion rate of 67.9%. On the ground, the Gamecocks permitted 234 rushing yards on 46 carries, averaging 5.1 yards per run allowed.
Over the past season, the Gamecocks accumulated a total of 6,182 yards. They recorded 14 passing touchdowns and an impressive 50 rushing touchdowns, but they also turned the ball over 15 times. As a team, they achieved 318 first downs while facing 83 penalties totaling 808 yards. Notably, they averaged 251.2 rushing yards per game, ranking them third nationally. In scoring, Jacksonville State averaged 36.0 points each game.
Defensively, the Gamecocks allowed 3,055 passing yards, placing them 103rd in college football. Throughout 14 games, they gave up an average of 218.2 passing yards, with a completion percentage of 60.1%. Overall, they permitted 393.0 yards per game (ranked 93rd) and were scored on 42 times (21 passing and 21 rushing touchdowns). Their opponents averaged 4.3 yards per carry, with the Gamecocks conceding 2,447 rushing yards throughout the season. They were ranked 77th defensively, allowing 26.1 points per game.
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The UCF Knights concluded their season with a 4-8 record. In their final game, they fell 28-14 to the Utah Utes. During that matchup, UCF managed 3.9 yards per rush, totaling 173 yards on 44 carries. They ended the game with 379 total yards after running 85 plays, averaging 4.5 yards per play. Defensively, the Knights allowed a completion percentage of 65.0%, yielding 111 passing yards on 13 of 20 attempts, while surrendering 32 rushing attempts for 85 yards (2.7 yards per carry).
The UCF Knights averaged 447.8 yards per game during the last season, ranking them 14th in college football. They accrued a total of 653 penalty yards from 78 infractions, putting them 59th in giving opponents opportunities. The Knights averaged 248.1 rushing yards per game, accumulating a total of 2,977 yards on the ground for the season. They had 11 interceptions and allowed eight fumbles to be recovered by opponents, resulting in 283 first downs. In scoring, UCF ranked 50th with an average of 30.4 points per game. They passed for 2,396 yards, averaging 199.7 yards in the air, ranking 97th in that statistic.
Defensively, the Knights allowed a total of 1,444 rushing yards (120.3 yards per game) and 14 rushing touchdowns. Through the air, they conceded 22 touchdowns and 218.7 yards, putting them at 67th in college football. The Knights recovered two fumbles and made ten interceptions last season, participating in 788 total plays (28th in Division 1). They allowed an average of 26.9 points per game, ranking 82nd in the nation overall, with a total of 323 points surrendered.
Who will prevail in this Gamecocks vs. Knights college football showdown?
Parlays Pundit’s Prediction: Select the Knights -20.5
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