The University of South Alabama Jaguars (7-2, 4-1 SBC) play host to the Texas State University-San Marcos Bobcats (3-6, 1-4 SBC), who will be hoping to snap their losing run, at Hancock Whitney Stadium on Saturday.
The Jaguars are 16.5-point favorites, and the total is 47.5. Texas State is coming off a tight 31-30 loss to Louisiana-Monroe at JPS Field at James L. Malone Stadium last Saturday, their third consecutive defeat. Layne Hatcher threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Lincoln Pare ran 25 times for 100 yards and a touchdown. Julian Ortega-Jones caught eight passes for 92 yards.
South Alabama beat Georgia Southern 38-31 at Allen E. Paulson Stadium last Saturday. Carter Bradley was 16 of 27 for 193 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. La’Damian Webb carried 35 times for 247 yards and four touchdowns. Devin Voisin caught two receptions for 42 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Bobcats won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 33-31 overtime victory in October. Brady McBride threw two touchdowns for Texas State. Jake Bentley tossed two touchdowns for South Alabama, as A.J. Phillips added two TDs.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Bobcats are averaging 22.6 points per game for the season, 104th in FBS, and they are facing a Jaguars defense that has surrendered 19.1 PPG (18th). Meanwhile, South Alabama has scored 32.3 points a game this season, 43rd in the nation, and Texas State is allowing 24.9 PPG (55th).
The Bobcats rank as one of the nation’s worst teams in rushing yards per game (88.3, 127th), while they are 60th in passing yards (242.3). They will be facing a particularly tough test on the ground, as the Jaguars are fifth in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (85.1).
Against the pass, South Alabama is 54th (218.4).South Alabama is 40th in the country in passing yards per game (265.4) and 54th in rushing (167.4), while the Bobcats are allowing 239.7 passing yards (84th) and 119.2 rushing yards per game (26th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through nine games, Layne Hatcher has thrown for 18 touchdowns (8 INT) and 242.3 yards per game to lead Texas State in passing. In five away games this season, he has seven TDs (4 INT) and an average of 212.6 yards passing.
Lincoln Pare leads the team in rushing with an average of 50.9 yards a game over nine games. He has three touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Ashtyn Hawkins is the Bobcats’ leading receiver with 65.2 yards a game and seven TDs.
Carter Bradley has 15 passing touchdowns (7 INT) with 253.4 yards per game through nine games to lead South Alabama. In four home games this season, he has thrown for nine TDs (2 INT) and an average of 268.2 yards.
La’Damian Webb has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 99.0 yards a game through nine games. He has 14 total touchdowns, 13 rushing and one receiving. Jalen Wayne has been a key target in the Jaguars’ aerial attack. He has seven touchdowns and a 74.4 yard per game average through nine appearances.
HOME AND AWAY
Texas State is looking to earn a win away from Jim Wacker Field at Bobcat Stadium for the first time this season.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Over 46.5 (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
