College Football Free Picks: Weekly Mid-Major Report and Predictions for Coastal Carolina (Chanticleers vs. Jacksonville State)

by Matt Zitt - 9/7/2023

Mid-Major betting report week 2 Coastal Carolina Sam Pinckney

Date: Saturday, September 9

Game Time: 7:00pm EST

Venue: Brooks Stadium

Spread: CCU -13.5

Total/Over-Under: 60.5

We were sweating bullets in that fourth quarter against UCLA, but the Chanticleers did just enough to cash in the 2-unit cover as CCU lost 27-13. We were not as fortunate with the over as both teams combined for only 40 points. However, we head into week 2 of Coastal Carolina’s season up one unit in total.

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The Chanticleers (0-1) head into their week 2 matchup with the undefeated Jacksonville State Gamecocks (2-0). Despite the loss, Coastal put up a decent fight, trailing 14-13 to start the final quarter of play. They were outscored 13-0 in the final quarter and veteran quarterback Grayson McCall had a rough game. He threw two interceptions in a game for the first time in his decorated career. McCall has had only eight picks in 35 games and tossed just two total last year. The three-time Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year completed 27 of 42 passes for 271 yards and one TD to go along with those two crucial interceptions. The running attack was nonexistent for the Chants. They mustered 56 yards on 34 carries for an atrocious 1.6 yards per carry average. The lone bright spot was wide receiver Sam Pinckney, who hauled in nine receptions for 139 yards and a score. The defense had a bend but do not break mentality as safety Clayton Isbell had not one, not two, but three interceptions on the evening.

This is a transition year for the Gamecocks from FCS. They squeaked by UTEP with a 17-14 victory in their opener and destroyed FCS East Tennessee State, 49-3, last weekend. Jacksonville’s starting QB against UTEP was Zion Webb. He threw for 67 yards and had another 55 on the ground. Webb was a late scratch last weekend due to illness, and Nebraska transfer Logan Smothers got the start. Smothers completed 13-of-17 passes with one TD and ran for 40 yards with two rushing TDs. Running back Malik Jackson controls the Gamecocks run attack. He has rushed for 176 yards in two games and has tallied two TDs on the ground. Through two games, Jacksonville State is averaging 319.5 yards per game on offense and 33 points per game. Defensively, the Gamecocks have been solid allowing just 8.5 points per contest on 284 total yards. You have to take that with a grain of salt as one of the games was against an FCS opponent.

The Chanticleers head into this matchup on a nine-game home winning streak in the month of September and should play much better at home. Even though Coastal is coming off a road loss, there are plenty of positives to take away from the Bruins game. They were still able to move the ball around and tally 345 total yards on offense before a dud of a fourth quarter. I expect Grayson McCall to play much better at home and get the running game going as well. Even though the Gamecocks are 2-0, their passing game has been mediocre at best. They will need way more than 67 yards and 127 yards in the air to keep up with the Chanticleers on Saturday. Look for Coastal Carolina to control the game on both sides of the football as they are the superior team. McCall and company will do their part to win by more than two scores. Take the Chants for their first win of the 2023 season.

Prediction: CCU 37 – JVS 20

1-unit play on Coastal Carolina -13.5

Season Total: Up 1-unit

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