The Really Big Preview: Jacksonville State at Ohio

Jacksonville State has never played a game in the state of Ohio. The Gamecocks get their first trip to Athens on Saturday, visiting a Peden Stadium where the Bobcats have won 13 straight. These two met once before — a 30-27 Ohio win in the 2024 StaffDNA Cure Bowl — but both programs have changed since then. Charles Kelly is in his second season at JSU. John Hauser is coaching his first regular-season home game at Ohio. The Cure Bowl was one story. This is a new one.

GAME DETAILS

Matchup: Jacksonville State (1-1, 0-0 CUSA) at Ohio (0-1, 0-0 MAC)

Date: Saturday, Sept. 12

Kickoff: 5 p.m. CT

Location: Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium, Athens, Ohio

TV: ESPN+

Spread: Ohio -2.5

Over/Under: 51.5

Series: Ohio leads 1-0 (30-27, 2024 StaffDNA Cure Bowl)

THE STAKES

This is a Cure Bowl rematch, but the label is misleading. Kelly was not coaching Jacksonville State for the 2024 bowl game. Hauser was not coaching Ohio. Both rosters have turned over. Hauser noted that JSU now has "a completely new staff" from the team Ohio faced that December afternoon in Orlando.

What has not changed is what each program represents. Ohio is one of the most consistent programs in the Group of 6 — 40-14 over the past four seasons, the 2024 Mid-American Conference Championship, seven consecutive bowl victories and a home record that makes Peden Stadium one of the toughest destinations in the country. Hauser inherited that standard when he was promoted from defensive coordinator on Dec. 26 and won his first game at the helm — a 17-10 victory over UNLV in the 2025 Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl.

Jacksonville State is CUSA's dominant program. The Gamecocks have won 20 conference games — more than any team in the league — made back-to-back CUSA Championship Games and won the Salute to Veterans Bowl over Troy last December. Kelly's first season finished 9-5. Despite significant roster turnover, what remains is a quarterback in Caden Creel who showed his ceiling against Eastern Kentucky and a defense that creates turnovers despite losing its best player for the season.

THE NUMBERS

526 — Yards of offense for Jacksonville State against Eastern Kentucky, one week after the Gamecocks managed 170 — split evenly at 85 rushing and 85 passing — in a 33-7 loss at North Dakota State.

13 — Consecutive home wins for Ohio at Peden Stadium, the second-longest active streak in Division I FBS behind Indiana.

19 — Consecutive games with a takeaway for Jacksonville State, dating to November 2024. The Gamecocks intercepted three passes against Eastern Kentucky — Jonavan Carr, Ty Sims and Caleb Nix each had a pick, with Nix returning his 43 yards for a touchdown.

14-13 — The halftime score between Ohio and Nebraska in Lincoln. The Bobcats led 13-7 in the second quarter before trailing by one at the break. Nebraska pulled away for a 49-21 final, but Kelly pointed to the first half as evidence that Ohio is dangerous: "The score is no indication of the way they played."

ABOUT JACKSONVILLE STATE (Visitor)

Jacksonville State is 1-1 with two performances that could have come from different teams. The 33-7 loss at NDSU was the worst of the Kelly era — 170 total yards, 2-for-10 on third down, no offensive rhythm. The 49-7 win over EKU was the correction — 526 yards, Creel completing 21 of 28 passes for a career-high 327 yards and five touchdowns, Jamill Williams catching seven passes for 144 yards and four scores.

The roster turnover was significant. Cook (1,659 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns) left for West Virginia. Three starting offensive linemen went to Power 4 programs. Nearly 74 percent of the receiving production departed. First-year coordinator Taylor Housewright is installing a system with new personnel. The offensive line stabilized against EKU — Lance Johnson earned CUSA Offensive Lineman of the Week after moving from tackle to guard — but EKU is not Ohio.

The defense lost its best player this week. Mac Sanders, who led the team with 85 tackles as a freshman in 2025, is out for the season with an upper-body injury. The secondary — Nix, Fegans, JQ Brooks — remains the unit's strength.

ABOUT OHIO (Home)

Hauser opened 2026 at Nebraska with a competitive loss — Ohio trailed just 14-13 at halftime before the Cornhuskers pulled away 49-21 in the second half.

The Bobcats showed they can compete with a Big Ten program. Nick Poulos hit Riley Neer for a 68-yard pass on the game's first offensive play. Ohio committed just two penalties for 30 yards. But the Bobcats managed only 139 total rushing yards — 70 of those by Poulos — and were outgained 523-303.

Hauser's defensive pedigree is central to the program's identity. Ohio's defense led the Mid-American Conference in scoring defense in 2023 and 2024, ranking fifth nationally in rushing defense (94.3 yards per game) and eighth in total defense (295.2 yards per game) in 2024. Safety DJ Walker — a Jim Thorpe Award and Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list selection — is back as a team captain. The Bobcats also added experienced secondary transfers in Eli Thompson (Holy Cross, 7 career interceptions) and KJ Sejour (Chattanooga).

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

Caden Creel, QB, Jacksonville State (#12, R-Jr., 6-0, 200) — Accounted for 2,589 total yards (1,514 passing, 1,075 rushing) in 2025. Followed the worst game of his career at NDSU with a career-high 327 yards and five touchdowns against EKU. Kelly said Creel "is a lot more comfortable in the pocket this year as opposed to last year."

Deondre Johnson, WR, Jacksonville State (#11, R-Jr., 6-8, 220) — Led all FBS receivers in yards per reception (24.13) in 2025 with 30 catches for 724 yards and six touchdowns. At 6-8, Johnson presents a singular matchup problem Ohio must account for. Hauser said the plan is to "disrupt them with reroutes and timing."

Nick Poulos, QB, Ohio (#8, Gr., 6-5, 235) — Went 14-of-31 for 164 yards and a touchdown at Nebraska, adding 70 rushing yards and a rushing score. Kelly called him a dual threat who has "a good feel of stepping up in the pocket."

DJ Walker, S, Ohio (#2, R-Jr., 6-1, 198) — Jim Thorpe and Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list selection. Recorded 61 tackles, six tackles for loss and two interceptions in 2025. Team captain for the second straight season.

INJURY REPORT / AVAILABILITY

Jacksonville State:

• Mac Sanders (LB) — OUT FOR SEASON. Upper-body injury suffered in the first half of the NDSU opener. A second MRI confirmed the severity. Kelly: "It's a tough loss for our team. A tough loss for him, but he's handling it the right way." Sanders led the team with 85 tackles in 2025 and earned CUSA All-Freshman and All-Conference honors.

Ohio:

• No injuries reported in game notes or press conferences.

WHEN JACKSONVILLE STATE HAS THE BALL

Creel's career day against EKU was built on a pocket that held up. Lance Johnson's move from tackle to guard stabilized the interior, and the offensive line gave Creel time to find his receivers. Whether that protection holds against Ohio's front is the first question Saturday.

Ohio's defense will be the first real measuring stick. Redshirt freshman Ike Ackerman recorded two sacks and two tackles for loss in his first career game at Nebraska. Walker anchors a secondary that now includes Thompson and Sejour.

The matchup to watch is Deondre Johnson against that secondary. Johnson's catch radius at 6-8 makes him difficult to bracket, and Williams gives Creel a second legitimate target. Kelly said Creel identified "two opportunities" on film from the EKU game where better reads would have added "probably 100 more yards."

JSU's ground game needs to prove itself. Jalen Likely carried 11 times for 48 yards at NDSU and broke a 45-yard rushing touchdown against EKU. If the Gamecocks can run the ball, it opens the play-action that fueled Creel's passing day. If they cannot, Ohio's defensive front will tee off on a rebuilt offensive line.

WHEN OHIO HAS THE BALL

Kelly called Poulos a dual threat who "does a really good job of managing their offense" and has "a lot of RPO game." Poulos showed both dimensions at Nebraska — the passing numbers were modest, but his 70 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown demonstrated the mobility Kelly warned about. Neer's 68-yard reception on the game's first play gave Ohio a downfield dimension.

Hauser wants to establish the running game. Duncan Brune (585 rushing yards, 8 touchdowns in 2025) and Victor Rosa (1,413 career rushing yards, a UConn transfer) give Ohio a two-back committee. The ground game did not produce at Nebraska, and that needs to change against a JSU defensive front that has been vulnerable to explosive runs.

JSU's secondary — Nix, Fegans and Brooks — is experienced and physical, and the takeaway streak gives the Gamecocks a chance to create a short field. But explosive runs have been a problem. Kelly said the defense surrendered a 75-yard run against EKU and a big run on the opening drive at NDSU. "It's the explosives that we've got to make sure that we can control," Kelly said.

Sanders' absence looms large here. Aidan Thompson — who tore his ACL in Week 3 of 2025 and returned for this season — brings toughness and leadership. Kelly calls him "A-dot" and said he "epitomizes what you want on your football team." But replacing the defense's best player on the road against an experienced MAC offense is a different task than anything JSU has faced this season.

JACKSONVILLE STATE WINS IF

The defense eliminates explosive run plays. Kelly identified this as the priority: "We give up a 75-yard run that pops out. Same thing in the first drive of the North Dakota State game." If Ohio's running backs break a long run early, the Bobcats' home crowd takes over.

Creel proves the EKU performance was growth, not a product of the opponent. He needs to complete passes in tight windows against a secondary that is significantly better than what he saw last week.

The takeaway streak continues. One extra possession on the road could decide a game with a 2.5-point spread.

OHIO WINS IF

The Bobcats establish the running game. Brune and Rosa need to produce what they could not at Nebraska. JSU's defensive front has surrendered explosive runs in both games — that is an opportunity for a rushing attack that needs traction.

Poulos protects the football. JSU's ball-hawking secondary has three interceptions in two games. Poulos was picked off once at Nebraska. Clean decisions at quarterback matter against a defense that does not give the ball back.

The home crowd provides an edge. Hauser told fans: "Come support us, man. We've had the advantage in many home games because of our crowd."

X FACTOR

Mac Sanders' absence. Sanders was the defense's engine — the player who organized the front, filled gaps and made plays sideline to sideline. Kelly said the linebacker room has depth, and Thompson gives the Gamecocks an experienced alternative. But replacing the defense's best player on the road against an experienced MAC program and a graduate-student quarterback — that is a tall order.

COACH SPEAK

Charles Kelly, Jacksonville State:

"First of all, they have a great program. They got really good players. Coach Hauser, he's done a great job. ... You look at the game last week — at halftime it's 14-13 against Nebraska at Nebraska. So I mean, they had a chance to win the game. The score is no indication of the way they played. So we got a ton of respect for the program that they got and their players." — Weekly press conference

John Hauser, Ohio:

"Really good football team. The QB is a really good player. He makes the thing go. He can run. He can throw. He's competitive." — Weekly press conference

THE PREDICTIONS

Source: Pick — Score / Detail

FanDuel/numberFire: Ohio (56.4% win probability) — Ohio -2.5, O/U 50.5

College Football News: Ohio — Ohio 30, JSU 27 (Ohio covers -2.5, over 51.5)

Covers: Ohio — Ohio ML pick, over 50.5

YouWager.lv: Jacksonville State — JSU 27, Ohio 24 (JSU covers +2.5)

Yahoo Sports (AI Predictions): Jacksonville State — JSU 31, Ohio 21 (JSU covers +2.5, over 50.5)

Gadsden Times (Maxwell Donaldson): Jacksonville State — JSU 35, Ohio 21

FanSided: Jacksonville State — JSU SU and ATS (+2.5)

iHeart/The Gambler: Ohio — Ohio 31, JSU 24 (Ohio covers -2.5)

Capper's Picks (AI model): Ohio — Ohio 28, JSU 24 (Ohio covers -2.5)

Dimers (10,000 simulations): Ohio (56%) — Ohio 27, JSU 24 (Ohio covers -2.0)

Pickswise (Al MacMillan): Jacksonville State — JSU 26, Ohio 23 (best bet: JSU +2.5, under 50.5)

ESPN FPI, CBS Sports and Phil Steele game-specific picks were not available at time of publication.

DIEHARD BOTTOM LINE

Ohio is a program to be respected. The Bobcats are consistently one of the top teams in the MAC, and they are strong at home. They were competitive with Nebraska, but we are not sure exactly what that means — it has been a long time since Nebraska has been Nebraska. Jacksonville State is an underdog here, and on paper, the Gamecocks should be. But they have been tested and failed against North Dakota State. And I think they will bring some lessons from that stinging defeat with them to Ohio.

Straight-up pick: Jacksonville State 27, Ohio 23

Against-the-spread pick (Ohio -2.5): Jacksonville State covers

Season picks record: 1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS (JSU: 1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS)