Eastern Kentucky Colonels vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 5, 2026

By: David Anicetti Published 08/30/2026, 11:08 PM ET

The Eastern Kentucky Colonels visit the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama, on ESPN+. Both teams are 0-1. Eastern Kentucky opened with a 45-21 road loss to Western Carolina, while Jacksonville State lost 33-7 at North Dakota State. Jacksonville State is a 19.5-point favorite, and the total is 52.5 points. Find your opening-week betting angle with our free NCAAF picks.

Eastern Kentucky Colonels Preview

Eastern Kentucky generated 370 yards in the opener, with Tyler Travers providing most of the production. Travers completed 22 of 34 passes for 305 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Elijah Caldwell caught six passes for 102 yards and a touchdown, while Jarvis Hayes added five catches and a score. The running game managed only 65 yards on 29 carries, with Brayden Latham leading the team at 41 yards.

The defense had a much tougher afternoon. Western Carolina gained 508 yards, including 320 through the air and 188 on the ground. Eastern Kentucky allowed 35 second-half points and forced no turnovers. Jeffrey Kinley recorded 12 tackles, while Caleb Redd had one of the Colonels' two sacks. Eastern Kentucky now faces a Jacksonville State offense looking to recover from its own poor opener.

Jacksonville State Gamecocks Preview

Jacksonville State produced only 170 yards in the 33-7 loss at North Dakota State. Caden Creel completed 12 of 23 passes for 85 yards with one interception and scored the Gamecocks' only touchdown on an eight-yard run. Jalen Likely led the ground game with 48 yards, but Jacksonville State averaged only 2.7 yards per carry and converted two of 10 third downs.

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The Gamecocks' defense had a better showing than the final score suggests. Jacksonville State intercepted one pass and recorded two sacks, but North Dakota State rushed for 209 yards on 44 carries. Tae Floyd and Quay Hood produced the sacks, while JQ Brooks led the defense with six tackles. Jacksonville State now gets a favorable matchup against an Eastern Kentucky offense that committed two turnovers and struggled to run the ball last week.

Eastern Kentucky Colonels vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks Prediction

Neither opener inspires much confidence offensively, but Jacksonville State has the better opportunity to improve at home. Eastern Kentucky's defense allowed 508 yards to Western Carolina, and the Colonels were especially vulnerable after halftime. Jacksonville State can attack on the ground after Eastern Kentucky allowed 4.7 yards per carry last week. Creel does not need a big passing performance if the Gamecocks control possession and limit mistakes. Jacksonville State will create separation against a Colonels defense that struggled throughout its opener. Final Score Prediction: Jacksonville State Gamecocks win and cover ATS, 35-14.