Murray State vs Jacksonville State Picks and Predictions for Saturday, September 20, 2025
Murray State vs Jacksonville State Preview
Murray State is still looking for its first win of the season after an 0-3 start that has exposed issues on both sides of the ball. The Racers have lost by double digits in each outing, including a 37-21 defeat at Georgia State last week. Jacksonville State enters at 1-2 but has been more competitive, pushing UCF in a 17-10 loss and falling in a 41-34 shootout at Georgia Southern after knocking off Liberty in Week 2. Kickoff is set for 5:00 PM ET at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama, with coverage on ESPN+. Don’t miss the upset alerts — today’s best college football picks are live.
Murray State Preview
Quarterback Jim Ogle has been the focal point for Murray State’s offense, throwing for 480 yards on 47-of-74 passing with two touchdowns, but his four interceptions have hurt drives and momentum. Running back Jawaun Northington has shown some ability with 92 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries, though the ground game has not provided enough balance to keep defenses guessing. Darius Cannon leads the receiving corps with 159 yards on 20 catches, serving as Ogle’s most reliable target. On the defensive side, safety Dylan Rowsey has already piled up 35 tackles, which underscores how often opponents are reaching the secondary against this group.
Jacksonville State Preview
Jacksonville State has leaned on running back Cam Cook, who has produced 270 yards and two touchdowns on 46 carries, giving the Gamecocks an established rushing presence. Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt has passed for 191 yards but has yet to throw a touchdown, completing just over 50 percent of his throws while tossing one interception. Wideout Deondre Johnson has contributed 59 yards on limited touches, but the offense clearly works best when Cook sets the tone on the ground. Defensively, lineman Emmanuel Oyebadejo has notched 1.5 sacks, while safety Trevor Woods leads the secondary with 13 tackles. This unit has bent against higher-level competition but has also forced teams into mistakes at key moments.
Murray State vs Jacksonville State Pick
The difference in this matchup is the talent gap between the two teams. Jacksonville State has an identity built around its running game and a defense that creates pressure, while Murray State has yet to prove it can protect the football or slow down opposing offenses. The Racers may hang around for a quarter, but the Gamecocks’ ability to control tempo on the ground and force turnovers should be decisive.
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Prediction: Jacksonville State 34, Murray State 13
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