Head Coach: Rich Rodriguez, affectionately known as “Rich Rod” is entering his 3rd season with the program with an 18-6 record. Jacksonville State was in FCS in his first season in 2022 but ineligible for anything as a result of their transition to FBS, despite that they still went 9-2 and went undefeated in the conference they weren’t eligible to win. Rich Rod is most well known as an early pioneer of what the spread offense is today and he took college football by storm as a result. As Tulane’s OC in 1998 his offense led them to an undefeated season. Rich Rod’s time at West Virginia was also very notable they had some incredible teams with Pat White who were in contention for the national title the last 3 years he was there, in 2007 it felt like they may have been the best team in the sport. He also got Arizona to a Fiesta Bowl. He’s also known to have a “tough love” coaching style which is why things didn’t work for him at Michigan but he’s been able to succeed at places like WVU, Arizona and now Jacksonville State.
Program Outlook: Jacksonville State is still considered to be in the FBS transition process but that didn’t slow them down at all on their way to a 9-4 record last year. They won a bowl last season despite not being eligible due to there not being enough eligible teams. They technically aren’t eligible again this year so while they’re primed to be one of the best teams in CUSA they won’t be eligible for the conference title, but they’re primed to be one once they are.
How does the 2024 Roster look?: There’s more to sort out than you’d be led to believe. Jacksonville State is near the bottom of CUSA in players returning, they took quite a few tough hits from the portal on both sides of the ball. The portal wasn’t all bad though, Jax State was able to fill a few gaps utilizing it. I’m curious to see how the defense performs with their top pass rushers playing for other programs, and a secondary that was occasionally vulnerable just about starting over, DC Zac Alley did such a great job with this unit last year but now he’s gone. Their offense took too long to get started at times last year but wore down their foes with their relentless pace, we know we’ll see some of that again, but will a less dominant defense result in less offensive plays? I do like some of the pieces on offense, they had no issue using multiple QBs last year and they appear primed to do the same again with Logan Smothers back in the fold, Zion Turner who feels like a good fit for this offense coming in from UConn and watch out for Tyler Huff who comes in after being a stud for Furman last year.
Screenshot from fbschedules.com1
2024 Schedule Thoughts: The opening two games against Coastal Carolina and Louisville will be a challenge or an opportunity for the Gamecocks depending on how you want to look at them. The schedule gets mostly manageable from there, playing the 2 other CUSA championship favorites on the road isn’t optimal but they also get a lot of teams who could be solid this year at home. I’d be surprised if they don’t manage a winning record with this schedule.
Vegas Projection: Jacksonville State’s win total is set at 7.5 with the odds geared toward the over. It a very reasonable number essentially expecting losses to Louisville, Liberty, WKU and one more.
2024 Best Case: The Gamecocks open the season with Coastal Carolina on TV with very few other games on. The other games are blowouts while Jacksonville State falls behind early against Coastal Carolina, but the Gamecocks charge back in the 2nd half turning eyes to this game in time to see their high tempo offense in its full glory as they come back to win. Jacksonville State rides the momentum even further, they don’t need a comeback at all and manage to upset Louisville the next week. They roll past the next few teams including their renewed rival Kennesaw State who finds themselves struggling to transition to FBS. Finally, on a Wednesday night the Gamecocks meet Liberty who is also undefeated after a big win over Appalachian State, the game garners the most eyes we’ve seen in a long time for a Wednesday night game as Jacksonville State takes down the Flames on the road in an exciting back and forth battle. The Gamecocks story captivates the Nation as fans demand the NCAA changes its silly outdated rule making the Gamecocks ineligible for a bowl (and likewise the playoff) but the NCAA once again puts their heads in the sand and refuses to do anything about it. The Gamecocks roll past the rest of the schedule to finish undefeated, and despite there once again not being enough bowl eligible teams Jax State can’t play for the conference championship. Their consolation prize isn’t a bad one they get to renew their rivalry with Troy in their bowl and they win to end the season undefeated with bragging rights at least. Rich Rod decides he’s having fun with what he is building and turns down other jobs that come his way.
2024 Worst Case: Pieces don’t come together, the defense collapses and the offense doesn’t get enough possessions. The Gamecocks are beaten soundly in the first 2 games and then it gets even worse with both Eastern Michigan and Southern Miss being better than expected. Suddenly Jax State is 0-4 entering conference play desperate for a win against their old rival Kennesaw State, but Kennesaw State is having no trouble with the FBS transition and their great season continues by sending Jax State to 0-5. It ends in a total collapse to 2-10, Rich Rod decides he’s lost the passion for the game today and decides to hang it up.
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