Jacksonville State at Ohio 2026 Preview: Prediction, Betting Odds & 4 Prop Bets

Saturday, September 12, 2026 Time: 6:00 PM ET Location: Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium, Athens, Ohio TV: ESPN+ Tickets: As low as $30 Line: Ohio -2.5 Over/Under: 51.5 Moneyline: Ohio approximately -139 / Jacksonville State +116

Ohio returns to Athens for its home opener Saturday night against Jacksonville State in what should be one of Week 2’s more competitive Group of Five matchups.

The Bobcats are 0-1 after losing 49-21 at Nebraska, but they led 13-7 during the second quarter and remained within one point at halftime. Quarterback Nick Poulos threw for 164 yards while leading Ohio with 70 rushing yards. Receiver Riley Neer produced 104 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Jacksonville State enters 1-1 after rebounding from a 33-7 loss at North Dakota State with a dominant 49-7 win over Eastern Kentucky. Quarterback Caden Creel threw for a career-high 327 yards and five touchdowns, while Jamill Williams caught four touchdown passes.

The supplied Ohio -2.5 / 51.5 remains available in the current market.

Top Four Prop Bets

Exact player props may not be offered for this matchup. The numbers below are projected betting targets.

Prop Bet #1: Nick Poulos Over 49.5 Rushing Yards

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Poulos Over 49.5 Rushing Yards

• 70 Yards at Nebraska
• Dual-Threat QB
• Home Opener

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Poulos showed immediately that his legs will be an important part of Ohio’s offense.

He rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown against Nebraska, including runs of 17 and 12 yards.

Jacksonville State must account for him on designed runs and broken plays.

Projected Bet: Nick Poulos Over 49.5 Rushing Yards

Prop Bet #2: Riley Neer Over 59.5 Receiving Yards

FanDuel

4.6/5

Tip: Neer Over 59.5 Receiving Yards

• 104 Yards at Nebraska
• 68-Yard Reception
• Poulos’ Top Target

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Neer was Ohio’s biggest offensive weapon in Lincoln.

He caught a 68-yard pass on Ohio’s first possession, then finished the drive with a four-yard touchdown catch. He ended the game with 104 receiving yards.

Jacksonville State allowed Eastern Kentucky to rush effectively but intercepted two passes, meaning Ohio may lean on safe throws to Neer.

Projected Bet: Riley Neer Over 59.5 Receiving Yards

Prop Bet #3: Caden Creel Over 219.5 Passing Yards

Caesars

4.4/5

Tip: Creel Over 219.5 Passing Yards

• 327 Yards vs EKU
• Five TD Passes
• Explosive WR Connection

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Creel’s season has been dramatically different from one week to the next.

He threw for only 85 yards at North Dakota State, then exploded for 327 yards and five touchdowns against Eastern Kentucky.

Jamill Williams was the primary beneficiary, catching touchdown passes of 13, 55, 30 and four yards.

Ohio allowed Nebraska to throw for 275 yards, so Jacksonville State should have opportunities.

Projected Bet: Caden Creel Over 219.5 Passing Yards

Prop Bet #4: Over 51.5 Points

BetMGM

4.5/5

Tip: Over 51.5 Points

• Jax State Scored 49
• Ohio Scored 21 at Nebraska
• Two Dual-Threat QBs

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Jacksonville State just generated 526 yards against Eastern Kentucky, including 352 passing yards.

Ohio scored 21 at Nebraska and generated 303 yards despite facing a Big Ten defense.

Both quarterbacks can create plays with their legs, and both defenses showed vulnerabilities in their season-opening road games.

Bet: Over 51.5 Points

Players to Watch

Nick Poulos, QB, Ohio: Produced 234 combined passing and rushing yards at Nebraska.

Riley Neer, WR, Ohio: Finished Week 1 with 104 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Will Hryszko, K, Ohio: Connected from 42 and 45 yards against Nebraska.

Caden Creel, QB, Jacksonville State: Coming off a career-high 327-yard, five-touchdown performance.

Jamill Williams, WR, Jacksonville State: Had 144 receiving yards and four touchdowns against EKU.

Jalen Likely, RB, Jacksonville State: Rushed for 73 yards against Eastern Kentucky, including a 45-yard touchdown.

Keys to the Game

Jacksonville State

Creel must continue attacking downfield while avoiding the turnovers that hurt him at North Dakota State.

Jacksonville State also needs to contain Poulos outside the pocket and prevent Neer from creating another explosive reception.

Ohio

Ohio must turn its strong first half at Nebraska into a complete performance.

The Bobcats also have a significant home-field edge: Ohio enters the opener riding a 13-game home winning streak at Peden Stadium.

Keeping Creel uncomfortable and controlling possession with Poulos’ dual-threat ability will be critical.

Betting Prediction

This matchup looks much closer than the teams’ Week 1 records suggest.

Jacksonville State has the hotter offense after scoring 49, but Ohio faced a considerably tougher opponent in Nebraska and competed well for more than a half.

Home field becomes the deciding factor.

Ohio has not lost at Peden Stadium since 2023, and the Bobcats also beat Jacksonville State 30-27 in the 2024 Cure Bowl, their only previous meeting.

The Verdict

Expect a back-and-forth game with both quarterbacks producing explosive plays.

Jacksonville State’s passing game keeps it close, but Poulos’ mobility and Ohio’s home-field advantage give the Bobcats the final possession they need.

Final Score Prediction: Ohio 30, Jacksonville State 27

Best Bet: Ohio -2.5

Total Pick: Over 51.5

Moneyline: Ohio

Top Player Prop: Nick Poulos Over 49.5 Rushing Yards

Additional Props: Riley Neer Over 59.5 Receiving Yards | Caden Creel Over 219.5 Passing Yards