Rolling into another week of college football action, several squads across the country are within reach of a postseason berth. This includes the Liberty Flames out of Conference USA who currently sit at 5-0, with a 3-0 record in Conference USA action. Meanwhile, their opponent this week, Kennesaw State, is looking for its first win of the year as the Owls sit at 0-6, but are at home this week which could be beneficial. In the other highlighted matchup of this week, Middle Tennessee squares off against Jacksonville State in a matchup of two other C-USA teams looking for some late-season momentum. The Blue Raiders enter this road matchup against Jax State at 2-5, while the Gamecocks sit at 3-3, with a chance for a bowl berth if things go well this week.
In this report, SBS will be going over what to look for from each of these contending teams, a predicted winner in both matchups and also some more notes about NCAA wagering.
| NCAA Football Week Nine Games | The Pick |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty at Kennesaw State | Liberty ML | -225 | -225 | -225 |
| Middle Tennessee at Jacksonville State | Jax State ML | -1700 | -1700 | -1700 |
Team Spotlight: Liberty Flames
Liberty comes into this contest with an undefeated record, but not all of those wins have been via captivating blowouts. Most recently, the Flames scored an overtime victory, 31-24, over FIU earlier this month and are more rested coming off a bye week. Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter has been very efficient with the football this season, throwing for 1,074 passing yards and seven scores with just one interception. Wide receiver Treon Sibley has been the main target of Salter’s throws this season, but he only has one score so far this campaign. Finally, the Flames have not had a road game in over a month. Their last such contest was in early September when they pulled out a 30-24 win at New Mexico State.
Team Spotlight: Kennesaw State Owls
A squad that has struggled at various junctures this season, the Owls are indeed searching for their first win of the year and are tasked with a tough task this week in the Flames. Regardless, they are playing at home and could be in store for a surprise upset win over the conference’s leading squad. Quarterback Davis Bryson has had some bright spots this year, but with only two touchdowns to six interceptions, he will have to cut down on those mistakes. Running back Michael Benefield leads the way with 242 rushing yards and one score.
A contest with a clear-cut favorite and underdog, take Liberty to win outright here. Kennesaw State will be fired up for a win, but the Flames will just be too much coming off a bye week.
Team Spotlight: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
The squad that actually just dispatched the Owls (14-5), is the next team being highlighted in this week’s breakdown. MTSU snapped their own losing streak with the win over the Owls and perhaps this could be their chance to get some mid-season momentum or play spoiler for their conference foes. The Raiders are proficient at passing the ball and quarterback Nicholas Vattiato has piled up 1,760 passing yards and seven touchdown scores to date. Receiver Omari Kelly has been the main beneficiary of this passing prowess and has reeled in 38 receptions for 651 yards which puts him on pace for a nice 1,000-yard season.
Team Spotlight: Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Their opponent in this contest, Jax State, has a more balanced attack with quarterback Tyler Huff the main workhorse for the Gamecocks on the ground and through the air. He already has six rushing scores this season to go along with seven passing touchdowns and 1,269 passing yards. Winners of three straight, Jax State seems to be trending in the right direction, especially with blowout wins over New Mexico State (41 points), Kennesaw State (39), and Southern Miss (37), this squad seems to have found a new gear.
With conference matchups, anything can happen, but Jacksonville State just has too much mojo right now and will overwhelm the Blue Raiders at home.
After you are all squared away on this week’s NCAA football action, make sure to check out the fantastic array of information for you over at SBS. Of course, if you are interested in more information regarding the sport covered here, make sure to peruse the college football betting sites rundown which goes over all of the latest betting markets and notes for the sport. Conversely, for those interested in maximizing their wagers, the best bonus betting sites rundown is a must-read page where you can learn more about the latest bonus offers available to you. This also includes a catalog of the latest welcome bonus offers currently out there. Finally, for those on the go, look no further than the best betting apps breakdown which goes over all the perks of mobile betting and how you can stay on top of the action if you are eligible.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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