Troy vs. Jacksonville State Prediction: 2025 Salute to Veterans Bowl Odds, Picks & Best Bet
In a matchup of programs that lost their conference championship games, my Troy vs. Jacksonville State prediction for the Salute to Veterans Bowl is banking on the underdog leaning on its star running back to carry it to a win.
Troy is a 2.5-point betting favorite for Tuesday's 9 p.m. ET (ESPN) matchup from Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., in the first of six non-CFP college football bowl games this week.
Stay ahead this bowl season with our updated college football bowl game odds and schedule.
🏈 Troy vs. Jacksonville State prediction: 2025 Salute to Veterans Bowl
Don't miss the rest of our college football picks for every bowl game.
Jacksonville State ML (+115) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This should be a pick'em between fairly evenly matched teams. However, Troy is favored, despite dealing with far more roster attrition.
The Trojans have several key injuries and players in the transfer portal, plus QB Goose Crowder is banged up after exiting the Sun Belt Championship. While Crowder is expected to play, he's going to have a difficult time keeping pace with a Jacksonville State offense that's ranked No. 61 by SP+.
If Cam Cook can carry the Gamecocks to a seventh victory in their last nine games (47.62% probability), a $10 bet pays an $11.50 profit at bet365.
Score prediction: Jacksonville State 27, Troy 24
💡 More college football predictions
Want more college football betting advice? Check out all of our college football analysis and expert predictions for every bowl game.
🙌 Best Troy vs. Jacksonville State TD pick: Salute to Veterans Bowl
Search the best college football player prop odds for any team or player across every market from legal sportsbooks in your area.
Cam Cook, RB, Jacksonville State: 2+ TDs (+205) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The biggest reason to bet on Jacksonville State to win outright is because of Cook. The TCU transfer has been the engine of the Gamecocks' offense in head coach Charles Kelly's first season. He leads the nation in rushing yards (1,659) and sits No. 4 in rushing TDs (16).
Cook's the definition of a big play back, with his burst and ability to make defenders miss - he's No. 1 in the country in 15-plus-yard runs (15) and forced missed tackles (103). He should wear down a Troy defense that's allowed 21 rushing touchdowns in 13 games.
With Cook's workload (25 touches per game), he'll have every opportunity to score at least twice against the Trojans. He's scored multiple touchdowns in four games this season, and if he does again, a $10 bet pays a $20.50 profit.
An alternate option is to parlay Cook scoring at least once (-275), something he's done in 10 straight games, with the Jax State ML. If that parlay hits, a $10 bet at bet365 pays a $16.50 profit.
📝 Top NFL draft prospects for Salute to Veterans Bowl
Can't keep track of which top players are suiting up this bowl season? Bookmark our college football opt-out tracker for the latest updates on every bowl game.
| Player | Position | Key stat | NFL draft grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Cook, Jacksonville State | RB | 1,141 rushing yards after contact | Round 6-UDFA |
| Emmanuel Oyebadejo, Jacksonville State | DL | 33 pressures, 4.5 sacks | Round 7-UDFA |
| Donnie Smith, Troy | DL | 33 pressures, 10 sacks | Round 7-UDFA |
| Jaquez White, Troy | CB | 11 forced incompletions | Round 7-UDFA |
📊 Live Troy vs. Jacksonville State odds: Salute to Veterans Bowl
See the latest college football odds for every bowl game in real time.
Troy vs. Jacksonville State opening odds
- Moneyline: Troy -155 | Jacksonville State +130
- Spread: Troy -3 (-115) | Jacksonville State +3 (-105)
- Over/Under: Over 51.5 (-110) | Under 51.5 (-110)
📈 Troy vs. Jacksonville State betting trends
| Troy | Statistic | Jacksonville State |
|---|---|---|
| 5-8 | W-L record | 8-5 |
| 9-4 | ATS record | 6-7 |
| 5-8 | O/U record | 8-5 |
| 4.7 | Yards per play | 6.0 |
| 5.7 | Yards allowed per play | 5.7 |
| +0.1 | Turnover margin | +0.7 |
| 2-3 | Last 5 games | 3-2 |
| L, 31-14 vs. James Madison | Previous result | L, 19-15 vs. Kennesaw State |
📺 How to watch Troy vs. Jacksonville State: 2025 Salute to Veterans Bowl
- Date: Tuesday, Dec. 16
- Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.)
- TV: ESPN
📃 Affiliate disclosure
Sportsbook Review may receive a commission if you sign up through our links. Not intended for use in MA. Bonuses not applicable in Ontario. 21+ only. (Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
Related Articles
