Cricket Celebration Bowl Preview: South Carolina State vs Prairie View Prediction and Odds

• Prairie View A&M enters as a 1.5-point favorite over South Carolina State in Saturday’s Cricket Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• SC State brings the MEAC’s top passing attack at 286.0 yards per game against Prairie View’s third-ranked pass defense in the SWAC
• Keep reading for our South Carolina State vs Prairie View A&M preview, prediction and odds for the HBCU national championship

The Cricket Celebration Bowl celebrates its 10th anniversary Saturday with a first-time matchup between South Carolina State and Prairie View A&M. Both programs captured conference titles in dominant fashion and now meet in Atlanta for the HBCU national championship.

This is SC State’s third Celebration Bowl appearance in five years. Head coach Chennis Berry led the Bulldogs to the MEAC title for the second straight season after posting back-to-back nine-win campaigns. Prairie View makes its bowl debut after winning its first SWAC championship since 2009, capping a remarkable 10-3 season under first-year coach Tremaine Jackson.

Kickoff is set for 12:00 PM EST on Saturday, December 14 from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. ABC has the broadcast.

This matchup pits SC State’s ball-hawking defense and aerial firepower against Prairie View’s stifling unit that allows just 16.2 points per game. Below we break down our SC preview, our prediction and odds for Saturday’s Cricket Celebration Bowl.

Cricket Celebration Bowl 2025 Preview: Passing vs Defense

South Carolina State built its season around quarterback William Atkins IV and the nation’s seventh-ranked passing offense. Atkins torched MEAC defenses for 322 yards per conference game while connecting with Jordan Smith for 791 yards and seven touchdowns. The Bulldogs averaged 381 points this season, their highest output since the 1993-94 campaigns.

MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Jarod Washington anchors the other side. Washington led the FCS with 1.83 passes defended per game and took two interceptions back for touchdowns. Linebacker Jordan Franklin added 55 tackles with 10 tackles for loss. Tulane transfer Michael Lunz II terrorized quarterbacks with 9.5 sacks.

Prairie View built its championship run on defense. The Panthers allow just 16.2 points per game, third-best in the FCS. No opponent has scored in the fourth quarter since September 27. Safety Travor Randle led the team with 89 tackles and three interceptions in his first season after transferring from Louisiana-Monroe.

Quarterback Cameron Peters runs the Prairie View offense. He’s thrown for 2,367 yards with 17 touchdowns but has been inconsistent, tossing seven interceptions in SWAC games. Running back Chase Bingmon provides the ground threat with 847 yards and eight scores. Wide receiver Jyzaiah Rockwell leads the SWAC with 1,084 receiving yards on 68 catches.

The special teams battle could decide this one. SC State kicker Nico Cavanillas Alti never missed from 30-39 yards or beyond 50 this season. He nailed two kicks from 50-plus and led the team in scoring. Prairie View’s Aiden Webb lacks that same range, which matters in close games.

South Carolina State vs Prairie View A&M Prediction and Picks

• Pick: South Carolina State +2 (-110 at Caesars)

The dome environment at Mercedes-Benz Stadium sets up perfectly for SC State’s aerial attack. No wind, fast turf, perfect conditions. Atkins can air it out without worrying about weather affecting his timing or ball flight.

Prairie View’s defense is legit, but they haven’t seen a passing attack like this. The Panthers faced Jackson State last week and held them to 21 points, but the Bulldogs’ aerial assault is more diverse. Jordan Smith, Nigel Johnson and the receiving corps all averaged at least 20 yards per catch in MEAC play.

The turnover battle tilts heavily toward South Carolina State. The Bulldogs forced 14 interceptions this season and scored three defensive touchdowns. Peters has been shaky with ball security all year, throwing picks in bunches. One bad decision could flip this game.

SC State also wins the coaching matchup. Berry is in his third Celebration Bowl, so he knows what this stage feels like. Jackson is brilliant and just came from coaching in the Division II championship game, but this is his first HBCU bowl experience. That edge matters.

Celebration Bowl Total Pick

• Pick: Under 52.5 (-110 at BetMGM)

Both teams rank among the nation’s most penalized. Flags kill momentum and stall drives. That alone pushes this toward the Under.

Red zone execution tells the story. SC State allows touchdowns on just 28.6% of opponent red zone trips, best in the MEAC. Prairie View struggled in the red zone last week against Jackson State, settling for three field goals when they needed touchdowns. Those extra possessions that end in three points instead of seven add up.

The kicking game reinforces the Under. With Alti’s range, SC State can score from 50 yards out. That means drives stalling at midfield still produce points. More field goals, fewer touchdowns, lower total.

South Carolina State vs Prairie View A&M Odds

Odds as of December 13. New customers can check out college football betting apps for the best CFB bowl season bonuses.

The line opened at Prairie View -1.5 and has shifted to -2 at some sportsbooks, such as Caesars. That tight number shows how close oddsmakers view this championship game. Neither team has a clear edge on paper.

The public loves Prairie View. The Panthers are drawing 61.47% of moneyline tickets and 65.02% of the handle. That’s unified support from both casual and sharp bettors backing the SWAC champs.

The total tells a different story. While 59.46% of tickets are on the Over, the money split is nearly even at 51.72% Over versus 48.28% Under. Bigger bettors aren’t buying the shootout narrative despite the dome conditions.