Salute to Veterans Bowl Preview – Troy vs Jacksonville State Picks and Predictions

• For the first time as FBS teams, Troy and Jacksonville State duel it out
• Two Alabama schools stay in Montgomery for an in-state affair
• Continue reading for my Troy vs Jacksonville State prediction and picks as well as the Veterans Bowl odds

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The Troy Trojans (8-5) and Jacksonville State Gamecocks renew the “Battle for the Ol’ School Bell” for the first time since 2001. Both the Trojans and Gamecocks are coming off conference title game losses. The Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama, will play host to the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl. ESPN will broadcast the 9:00 PM ET kickoff on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

Keep reading for my Troy vs Jacksonville State prediction as well as the Troy vs Jacksonville State picks and lines.

Troy vs Jacksonville State Prediction

My Troy vs Jacksonville State prediction: Jacksonville State 20, Troy 17

I am picking Jacksonville State to pull a slight upset in a low-scoring game. I expect Jacksonville State’s elite rushing attack to bludgeon Troy in this Salute to Veterans Bowl matchup.

Troy Trojans Analysis

Troy had a successful bounce-back campaign, going from four wins to a Sun Belt West title. Troy came up short in the Sun Belt title game, but they were down just three points with five minutes left against CFP-bound James Madison. With a win, Troy would win its first bowl game since 2022. Troy has a 6-4 record in bowl games dating back to their debut appearance in 2004.

Backup quarterback Tucker Kilcrease is in line to get the start. He has played in 10 games this season, throwing for 1,421 yards, nine touchdowns, and four interceptions. He has been a threat on the ground, rushing for five touchdowns and 294 yards (removing sacks).

1Q – 2:06 | 🐺 17 – ⚔️ 0

3rd and 15? Not a problem.

Tucker Kilcrease finds Tray Taylor down the field for a huge 43-yard reception to set up the Trojans at the 39-yard line.#BattleReady | #OneTROY ⚔️🏈 pic.twitter.com/zi31bPqLSI

— Troy Trojans Football 8x⚔️ (@TroyTrojansFB) November 2, 2025

Troy’s leading rusher, Tae Meadows, entered the transfer portal, so the name to watch is Jordan Lovett. Lovett has 81 carries as the No. 2 back, accruing 317 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He also has 11 receptions for 87 yards.

The Trojans have three dynamic receivers in Rara Thomas, Tray Taylor, and DJ Epps. Epps leads the team with 44 catches. Thomas and Epps are tied for the team lead with five receiving touchdowns, and Thomas has a team-best 577 yards. Thomas and Taylor are both over 500 yards on the season.

Defensively, Troy has the Sun Belt’s preeminent sack artist, Donnie Smith. Smith has a conference-best 10.0 sacks while adding 12.5 tackles for a loss, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble. In the Sun Belt title game, Smith had a sack and a pass deflection. He had 2.0 sacks in the de facto Sun Belt West title game against Southern Miss.

Jacksonville State Analysis

Charles Kelly’s Gamecocks have won at least eight games for the third time in as many seasons at the FBS level. While they were not able to retain the C-USA title, they did make the C-USA title game and lead a furious comeback after trailing 12-0 early in the fourth quarter. However, the Gamecocks folded in the final minute, losing 19-15. Jacksonville State is 1-1 in bowl games, losing the Cure Bowl last season.

Quarterback Caden Creel is not exactly 2019 Joe Burrow as a passer, but he has done enough for JSU. The sophomore signal-caller has 1,341 passing yards and eight passing touchdowns. His primary strength is his rushing ability as he is the proud owner of 1,085 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. His 6.4 yards per carry leads the conference, despite losing some production due to sacks.

Speaking of the rushing attack, TCU transfer Cam Cook is the nation’s leading rusher. He has 1,659 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging a robust 5.6 yards per carry. Cook has 10 games with over 100 rushing yards this season, including non-conference performances against FCS Murray State and Georgia Southern.

🏈 THIRD TEAM AP ALL-AMERICA 🏈

🏆 Cam Cook, @JaxStateFB #NoLimitsOnUs | #EmbraceTheGrind pic.twitter.com/rThGcyYBQq

— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) December 15, 2025

When the Gamecocks throw the ball, their primary target is Rutgers transfer Deondre Johnson. Johnson has caught only 24 passes, but he has a whopping 623 yards and six touchdowns. Johnson has three games with 100 yards this season.

The playmaker of the bunch is Caleb Nix. The Clemson transfer has 4.0 tackles for a loss, four interceptions, a pick-six, three pass deflections, three fumble recoveries, and a scoop-and-score. Nix leads the country with 191 interception return yards, averaging 47.8 yards per return.

Troy vs Jacksonville State Picks

My Troy vs Jacksonville State pick: Jacksonville State +120 (BetMGM)

Here is why I am picking Jacksonville State in the Salute to Veterans Bowl:

• Jacksonville State should be able to control the game with a dominant rushing attack. The Gamecocks have an 88.0 PFF Rushing Grade. Two different Gamecocks have 1,000 rushing yards.
• Troy is generally solid against the run this season, but they have missed 95 tackles in 13 games in run defense alone. Linebacker Jordan Stringer has missed 16 tackles, a shade under 20% of his opportunities against the run according to PFF.
• Troy will turn to backup Tucker Kilcrease as starter Will “Goose” Crowder is dealing with an injury. Troy will also be without Tae Meadows, the Trojans’ leading rusher.

Troy vs Jacksonville State Odds

Troy is a narrow favorite in the Salute to Veterans Bowl. Troy bettors can bet the Trojans at -2.5 on the spread at Caesars (-110 odds) or -134 on the moneyline at FanDuel. Jacksonville State bettors can bet the Gamecocks at +2.5 on the spread at FanDuel (-105 odds) or +120 on the moneyline at BetMGM.

The total is set between 46.5 and 47 points. Over bettors can get over 46.5 for -110 odds on BetMGM. Under bettors can get under 47 on Caesars for -113 odds.

Odds as of December 15, 2025, at consensus College Football betting apps. Make sure you check out the best online sportsbook to bet on the Salute to Veterans Bowl.

Troy vs Jacksonville State Recent History

An in-state rivalry game dating back to their days in Division II, Jacksonville State has the all-time advantage 32-29-2 in the “Battle for the Ol’ School Bell.” However, Troy* has won the last seven matchups, dating back to 1995. The schools last played in 2001, Troy’s first season as an FBS team.

This has been a series full of runs. Before Troy’s current winning streak, Jacksonville State had two three-game win streaks sandwiching five wins in a row by Troy. Back from 1954 to 1966, Jacksonville State won 13 consecutive games, the longest streak in the series.

*Troy was known as Troy State prior to the 2005 season.

Salute to Veterans Bowl, Recent History

This is the 12th iteration of the Salute to Veterans Bowl, although it is only the second known as a “Salute to Veterans Bowl.” The first 10 in the series were known as “Camellia Bowls” with the through line being the location at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. The matchup traditionally pitted MAC and Sun Belt schools, although there is no MAC representation this season.

Last season, South Alabama won 30-23 over Western Michigan. South Alabama’s Jeremiah Webb won Game MVP with a dominant six-catch, 182-yard, two-touchdown output. Western Michigan was fueled by 207 total yards and a touchdown from quarterback Hayden Wolff.