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
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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