Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CFB Picks, CFB Free Picks, CFB Predictions 10/29/25

Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CFB Picks, CFB Free Picks, CFB Predictions 10/29/25

JACKSONVILLE STATE @ MIDDLE TENNESSEE (JST -4.5, 55.5)

At 7:30 PM ET tonigh, Jacksonville State (4-3, 3-0 C-USA) will travel to Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium to play Middle Tennessee State (1-6, 0-3 C-USA) in an attempt to win two straight games on the road.

The Gamecocks rallied from three points down to defeat Delaware 38–25 in their last game. The Blue Raiders, nine-point underdogs, just lost to Delaware 31-28 last week.

In two meetings with Middle Tennessee State, Jacksonville State has a 2-0 record. Last season, the Gamecocks prevailed 42–20 at home.

With victories over Sam Houston and Delaware, the Gamecocks recovered from their defeat at the hands of Southern Mississippi. Tonight, Jacksonville State will attempt to make it four in a row after winning three consecutive conference games. Additionally, they share first place in Conference USA with Kennesaw State.

Jacksonville State ranks 54th in the country with an average of 30.7 points per game. In addition, they rush for 276 yards a game, which ranks third-best in the nation.

Gavin Wimsatt has accumulated 593 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions while completing 56% of his passes. In addition, he has four touchdowns and 236 rushing yards. With 20 catches for 263 yards and four touchdowns, Brock Rechsteiner leads the team, while Cam Cook leads with 160 carries for 949 yards and 10 touchdowns.

On October 15, JSU ran for 255 yards and Caden Creel completed 14 of 21 for 116 yards and a touchdown in their victory over the Blue Hens. Creel is doubtful for this game because he hurt his elbow in the Delaware game. With 438 yards and three touchdowns, Creel is second only to Cook as a rusher. He also throws for 386 yards. With Wimsatt, the Gamecocks are in good shape if Creel is unable to go.

Jacksonville State ranks 86th in the nation in terms of points allowed per game at 26.6. They are allowing 156.2 rushing yards and 258.3 passing yards per game.

The Blue Raiders suffered four consecutive losses after beating Nevada 14-13 on the road. This included a three-point road loss to Delaware in Newark on October 22. Delaware scored 17 points in the second quarter after the Blue Raiders built a lead in the first quarter. MTSU was led by Nicholas Vattiato, who finished 31 of 48 for 281 yards and three touchdowns with one pick. MTSU also turned the ball over twice and committed nine penalties for 80 yards.

Middle Tennessee State ranks 125th in the nation with an average of 18.6 points per game. Each game, they rush for 85.7 yards and throw for 245.1 yards.

Vattiato has 1,673 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions on 62 percent of his passes. Nahzae Cox leads the team with 31 catches for 390 yards and five touchdowns, while Jekail Middlebrook leads with 87 carries for 501 yards and three touchdowns.

MTSU gives up 29.7 points per game and is ranked 103rd in the nation in scoring defense. Each game, they are allowing 144.8 rushing yards and 241 passing yards.

The Blue Raiders have dropped their last four games in a row, while the Gamecocks have won three of their last four. Jacksonville State's offensive prowess and one of the nation's best ground games give them the advantage in this matchup. Expect the Blue Raiders to struggle to slow down the Gamecocks because they aren't very good defensively and have had problems slowing down the run. The offense doesn't lose much, and they still have a clear advantage even if they go back to Wimsatt at quarterback.

Middle Tennessee has one of the worst offenses in the nation and relies largely on the passing game. The Blue Raiders will find it difficult to keep up with the Gamecocks. The Gamecocks can concentrate on defending the pass because they won't have to worry about being beaten on the ground because the Blue Raiders only rush for 100 yards or less per game.

The Blue Raiders have went Over the total in two of their last four games, while the Gamecocks have done so in three of their last four. Middle Tennessee only averages 18.6 points per game. They have the 27th-ranked passing attack in the nation and throw the ball 62 percent of the time. They are up against a defense that is ranked 107th against the pass and is allowing 26.6 points per game. The Gamecocks score 30.7 points a game on average. They have the third-best ground game in the nation and run the ball 68 percent of the time. They are playing a team that is 55th against the run and is allowing 29.7 points per game.

FREE PICK: CAM COOK OVER 1.5 TDs

Cook is closing in on 1,000 yards. He has 10 rushing TDs already this season and he is the Gamecocks go-to guy in the backfield. He also averages about 6 red zone carries per game. Cook has not only scored 1 TD in 5 of 7 games this season, he's scored 2 or more in 5 of 7 games. Last game, he scored 3 times in a win over Delaware. MTSU has the 129th-ranked red zone defense. They give up a TD over 95 percent of the time in the red zone.

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Ylose expert Coach Rick Bowe delivers his daily Quick Picks. The Coach continues to roll up big wins in college basketball, college football, the NFL, MLB and much more. Coach Rick offers a unique perspective to handicapping. Check out his daily free picks right here and jump on his daily Best Bets, which you can find right here at Ylose.com/coach.