Middle Tennessee vs Jacksonville State Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 26, 2026
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders visit the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Saturday, September 26, at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, with the opening kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are 2-1 overall and have not opened their Conference USA schedule after beating Nevada 27-20. The Jacksonville State Gamecocks are 2-2 overall and have not opened their Conference USA schedule after a 31-27 win over Georgia Southern. Check out our free NCAAF picks.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Preview
Middle Tennessee is averaging 30.3 points through three games, with 205.3 passing yards and 154 rushing yards per game. Roman Gagliano has completed 61 of 102 passes for 616 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. Antonio Martin leads the ground game with 239 yards and one touchdown while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Cam'ron Lacy has been Gagliano's main target, recording 23 catches for 222 yards and three touchdowns. Markus Allen has added 108 receiving yards on seven catches.
The Blue Raiders are allowing 20.7 points per game after giving up 14 to Murray State, 28 to Marshall and 20 to Nevada. Middle Tennessee has recorded one sack and one interception, but the defense has forced six fumbles and recovered four. Korey Smith leads the team with 26 tackles, while Ashton Taylor has 17 tackles and two forced fumbles. Kalen Woods has 16 tackles and two recoveries, and Jason Hardy has recorded the Blue Raiders' interception.
Injuries: No injuries to report.
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Jacksonville State Gamecocks Preview
Jacksonville State is averaging 28.5 points through four games, with 229.3 passing yards and 132 rushing yards per game. Caden Creel has completed 68 of 99 passes for 871 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. Creel also leads the Gamecocks with 256 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 64 carries. Jalen Likely has added 129 yards and one score. Deondre Johnson leads the receiving group with 169 yards, while Luke Gilbert has 142 yards and two touchdowns.
The Gamecocks are allowing 24 points per game after surrendering 33 to North Dakota State, seven to Eastern Kentucky, 29 to Ohio and 27 to Georgia Southern. Jacksonville State has seven sacks and four interceptions. Walker O'Steen leads the defense with 29 tackles, followed by Caleb Nix with 24. Tae Floyd has a team-high two sacks, while Nix, Jonavan Carr, Mikey Rosa and Caleb Nix are among the defenders producing takeaways, with Nix also returning an interception for a touchdown.
Injuries: WR N. Hoyt, WR A. Watkins, RB A. Paul and RB J. Savage are questionable with undisclosed injuries.
Middle Tennessee vs Jacksonville State Prediction
Jacksonville State has the more productive passing attack, but Middle Tennessee has protected the football well with Gagliano throwing only one interception through three games. The Blue Raiders have also created problems with six forced fumbles, while Martin gives the offense a steady rushing option. Creel presents a tougher challenge because he leads Jacksonville State in both passing and rushing, but Middle Tennessee has scored at least 26 points in every game. Jacksonville State will use its home field and Creel's dual-threat production to win, but the Blue Raiders will keep the margin inside 8.5 points. Final Score Prediction: Jacksonville State Gamecocks win but Middle Tennessee covers the numbers, 30-26.
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Best Picks
- Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders +8.5
- Over 51.5
