The Troy Trojans (8-5) and Jacksonville State Gamecocks (8-5) renew an Alabama in-state rivalry dormant since 2001 in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl, pitting Sun Belt West reps against Conference USA champs in a battle of resilient squads with identical records but divergent paths. Troy, fresh off a Sun Belt Championship loss to James Madison, seeks bowl redemption under first-year coach Gerad Parker, leaning on a balanced attack despite QB injuries. Jacksonville State, under Rich Rodriguez’s steady hand in year two of FBS, aims for a third straight bowl win after a CUSA title game heartbreaker to Kennesaw State. Expect a gritty, high-tempo affair favoring Jax State’s ground game against Troy’s opportunistic D, with special teams and turnovers tipping the scales. Kickoff is at 9:00 p.m. ET from Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama (capacity 21,500; opened 1922, renovated 2018). The neutral-site venue, just 90 miles from both campuses, should draw a rowdy crowd split down the middle, with Troy holding a historical edge in the series.
Broadcast: ESPN (national); streaming on ESPN+ and Fubo. Tickets average $45 (StubHub); parking $10.
Weather Forecast
Montgomery’s December weather typically offers mild conditions for outdoor football, and forecasts for game night predict partly cloudy skies with temperatures dipping to 42°F at kickoff, cooling to 38°F by the fourth quarter. Winds light at 5-7 mph from the north, with 20% chance of isolated showers early—negligible impact on play. Humidity around 65%; no delays expected. Dress in layers for fans; field conditions optimal on the renovated turf.
Team Records and Standings
Both enter at .615 win percentage, but Jax State’s conference dominance (7-1 CUSA) outshines Troy’s (6-2 Sun Belt). Troy edges in total offense (32.1 PPG vs. 29.4), while Jax State leads in defense (24.8 PPG allowed vs. 28.3).
| Team | Overall Record | Conference Record | Sun Belt/CUSA Rank | ATS Record | O/U Record |
| Troy Trojans | 8-5 | 6-2 (West) | 2nd West | 7-6 | 6-7 |
| Jacksonville State Gamecocks | 8-5 | 7-1 (East) | 1st Overall | 6-7 | 7-6 |
Recent Team Forms
Troy closes unevenly, with a championship hangover but road grit; Jax State stumbles in big spots but thrives in close games (5-1 in one-score contests).
Troy Trojans Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats (Troy) |
| Dec. 5 | vs. JMU | L 14-31 | 285 total yds, 2 TOs, 41% 3rd down |
| Nov. 29 | @ USM | W 28-18 | 412 total yds, 3 sacks, 50% red zone |
| Nov. 22 | vs. GAST | W 31-19 | 389 total yds, 1 TO, 7/12 3rd down |
| Nov. 15 | @ ULM | W 35-20 | 478 total yds, 2 INTs, 55% conv. |
| Nov. 8 | vs. TXST | L 24-41 | 312 total yds, 3 TOs, 33% 3rd down |
- Form Summary: 3-2. Averaging 30.2 PPG scored/25.6 allowed. Strong rushing (198 YPG last 3 wins), but passing dips without full QB health (58% comp.).
Jacksonville State Gamecocks Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats (Jax State) |
| Dec. 5 | vs. KENN | L 15-19 | 298 total yds, 2 TOs, 40% 3rd down |
| Nov. 29 | vs. WKU | W 37-34 | 456 total yds, 1 INT, 67% red zone |
| Nov. 22 | @ FIU | L 21-27 | 342 total yds, 3 sacks, 44% conv. |
| Nov. 15 | vs. KENN | W 35-26 | 421 total yds, 2 TOs, 55% 3rd down |
| Nov. 8 | @ MTSU | W 24-21 | 389 total yds, 1 TO, OT thriller |
- Form Summary: 3-2. Averaging 26.4 PPG scored/25.4 allowed. Ground control (212 YPG), but aerial vulnerabilities (55% comp. allowed); 4-1 in games decided by 10 or less.
Conference vs. Conference: Sun Belt vs. Conference USA
Sun Belt holds a razor-thin all-time edge (84-83 overall, 50.3% win rate), but CUSA dominates bowls (13-19 record for CUSA vs. Sun Belt, 40.6% for Sun Belt). Average score: 27.8-27.3. Recent trends favor Sun Belt in neutral sites (6-4 since 2020), with overs hitting 58% (avg. total 54.1 points). Jax State’s CUSA title bid underscores their edge in Group of Five parity.
Injury Report
Injuries hit both QBs and lines hard, thinning depth for this neutral-site grudge match. Troy’s opt-outs (e.g., Meadows to portal) amplify concerns.
Troy Trojans Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury/Notes |
| Goose Crowder (QB) | Questionable | Ankle (Sun Belt Champ); 1,144 pass yds pre-injury |
| Tae Meadows (RB) | Out | Opt-out/Portal (1,186 rush yds, 10 TD) |
| Elijah Prather (OT) | Out | Season (injured Oct.); starting LT |
| Garner Langlo (OG) | Out | Season (undisclosed, since Sep.) |
| Eli Russ (OL) | Out | Injured (missed Champ Game) |
Jacksonville State Gamecocks Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury/Notes |
| T. Taylor (CB) | Questionable | Undisclosed (since Dec. 5) |
| A. Thompson (LB) | Out | Undisclosed (season-ending, Oct.) |
| Adrian Gumm (OG) | Out | Injured (missed CUSA Champ) |
| Jawaun Campbell (DL) | Out | Injured (since Nov.) |
Crowder’s status (limited practice) forces backup Tucker Kilcrease (1,200+ yds); Jax State’s secondary bends without Taylor.
Key Player Matchups
Rivalry optics amplify these battles: Troy’s passing vs. Jax State’s secondary, ground games in the trenches.
- Tucker Kilcrease (TROY QB, 2,415 pass yds, 18 TD) vs. Jax State Secondary (led by CB T. Taylor, Q): If Crowder sits, Kilcrease’s mobility (45 rush yds/gm) tests a banged-up unit allowing 220 pass yds/gm. Edge: Kilcrease—explosive in relief (65% comp. last 5).
- Cam Cook (JSU RB, 1,195 rush yds, 12 TD) vs. Troy Front (DL Jawaun Campbell, Out): Cook’s vision (5.2 YPC) exploits Troy’s run D (3.8 YPC allowed); without Campbell, gaps widen. Edge: Cook—expect 120+ yds, over 95.5 prop.
- Roman Mothershed (TROY WR, 912 rec yds, 8 TD) vs. JSU CBs: Mothershed’s routes (15.2 YPC) vs. Taylor’s coverage (2 INT); deep threat shines if secondary thin. Edge: Mothershed—over 60.5 rec yds.
- Gavin Wimsatt (JSU QB, 1,950 pass yds, 14 TD) vs. Troy Secondary: Wimsatt’s dual-threat (512 rush yds) vs. Troy’s opportunistic DBs (12 INT); low TOs key. Edge: Even—Wimsatt’s efficiency (62% comp.) balances.
Bonus Watch: Jax State’s Caleb Coombs (WR, 45 rec, 612 yds) targets Troy’s depleted secondary.
Series History
This marks the 64th meeting in the “Battle for the Ol’ School Bell,” with Troy leading 32-29-2 all-time (.508 win rate). Jax State dominated early (13-game streak 1954-66), but Troy owns the modern era, winning the last seven (1995-2001) by an average margin of 18.3 points. Last clash: Troy 21-3 (2001). Neutral-site games: Troy 2-0. Avg. score: 24.1-14.6 (Troy); overs in 4/7 since 1990.
Last 5 Head-to-Head Meetings:
| Date | Result | Key Notes |
| Nov. 17, 2001 | TROY 21-3 JSU | Troy shuts down JSU rush |
| Nov. 11, 2000 | TROY 28-17 JSU | Troy forces 3 TOs |
| Nov. 20, 1999 | TROY 35-14 JSU | Troy’s ground game dominates |
| Oct. 23, 1998 | TROY 31-10 JSU | Balanced attack for Trojans |
| Sep. 20, 1997 | TROY 49-0 JSU | Troy blowout; shutout |
- Trend: Troy 5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS. Unders in 3/5; Troy 3-2 O/U as favorite.
Betting Trends
- Troy: 7-6 ATS (53.8%); 4-3 ATS as fave (57.1%). 6-7 O/U; overs in 4/6 road/neutral. 3-2 ATS last 5 bowls.
- Jax State: 6-7 ATS (46.2%); 3-2 ATS as dog (60%). 7-6 O/U; overs in 5/7 CUSA games. 2-0 ATS in bowls (FBS era).
- Head-to-Head: Troy 4-1 ATS last 5; avg. total 35.6 (under trend).
- Public/Sharp: 62% bets on Troy ML (55% handle); sharps on Jax +2.5 (58% handle). Bowl unders hit 55% for Sun Belt teams.
Historical Betting Results
In 63 prior meetings, Troy is 28-31-4 ATS (.475); Jax State 4-3 ATS as underdog. Bowls for these programs: Troy 5-7 SU/ATS (42%); Jax State 2-0 SU/ATS (FCS bowls). CUSA vs. Sun Belt bowls: CUSA 13-19 ATS (40.6%), but Jax State’s 7-1 conf mark boosts confidence. Last 10 neutral-site rivalry games: 6-4 O/U (60% over).
Game Odds
Troy Trojans – 2
Jacksonville State Gamecocks 49.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Monday, December 15, 2025
