CFB Jacksonville State vs. New Mexico State picks: Running games likely to determine key CUSA matchup outcome

I feel like I'm becoming a bit of a Conference USA guru, with the league having so many weekday games early this season. There's another doubleheader tonight, with Kennesaw State vs. Middle Tennessee on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m.

ET matchup featuring Jacksonville State at New Mexico State is much more important in terms of the league race. DraftKings Sportsbook lists JSU as a 3.5-point favorite in its Jacksonville State at New Mexico State odds, and the Over/Under for total points is 49.5. Bet on college football at DraftKings, where new users get $200 in bonus bets and three free months of NBA League Pass when they spend $5+: ESPN2 has the telecast, and the forecast in Las Cruces is lovely: A few clouds.

Winds light and variable. There seems to be a nationwide trends outage issue, but from what I can gather JSU at -3.5 and Over 49.5 are taking solid leans. You can try college football betting on the best sports betting apps, but first you should check out the SportsLine Projection Model for picks on games from both the simulations and our experts.

We have a strong play here for those who want to get into parlay betting for Jacksonville State vs. Claim the best Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS55, trade $25, and receive $55 in trading bonus credits here: DraftKings price: +134 (subject to change) Liberty is probably CUSA's best team (-1000 to reach title game) and sits tied for first at 3-0 in the league with Jacksonville State, while New Mexico State is right behind at 2-1. The Gamecocks are -200 to reach the CUSA Championship Game for a third straight year, while the Aggies are +500 to get there a second time in their history (2023).

Needless to say, tonight's loser is in some trouble in that regard. For what it's worth, Liberty visits NMSU on Nov. 7 but doesn't face JSU in the regular season. Jacksonville State enters on a four-game win streak, but three of those were decided by four or fewer points – including a 27-24 home win over Florida International on Oct. 13 in the last game.

JSU QB Caden Creel directed his sixth career game-winning drive, with the key play a 34-yard third-down pass to Ronnel Johnson to FIU's 8-yard line. Shortly after, Garrison Rippa hit the winning 26-yard field goal with 44 seconds left. FIU had a shot at a 49-yarder at the gun but missed wide right.