HBCUs often get the short-end of the stick in college football circles. But that has been changing recently. Hall of Famer Deion Sanders became Jackson State’s head coach last year, bringing with him national eyes. His Tigers have one more test this season, taking on the South Carolina State Bulldogs. Here is our pick and prediction for the South Carolina State vs. Jackson State Celebration Bowl.
Make sure to check out our pick and prediction for all the other bowl games being played today: the Independence Bowl, the Lending Tree Bowl, the New Mexico Bowl, and the Boca Raton Bowl.
South Carolina State vs. Jackson State betting odds and trends
- Spread: Jackson State -10.5
- Over/Under: 42.5
- Moneyline: Jackson State -380, South Carolina State +290
Now sitting at 11-1 this season, Sanders has more than proved himself to be a capable coach. Sanders also highlighted his recruiting ability by flipping the commitment of 2022 No. 1 prospect Travis Hunter on National Signing Day. Nevertheless, Sanders and his staff’s focus is on Saturday.
South Carolina State is 6-5 and the MEAC champion. They went a perfect 5-0 in conference play, meaning all five of their losses came against non-MEAC opponents.
Two of their defeats came at the hands of the SWAC, with Alabama A&M squeaking out a 42-41 victory in Week 1, and Florida A&M coasting to a 30-7 win in Week 5.
Can Deion Sanders win his first bowl game?
The biggest matchup to watch in this game is Jackson State true freshman QB Shedeur Sanders vs. South Carolina State CB and reigning MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Decobie Durant. Sanders lit up the SWAC this year, completing 67.9% of his passes for 3,056 yards, 29 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions.
Meanwhile, Durant continued his dominance as an NFL hopeful. He recorded 37 tackles, 3 interceptions, and a whopping 11 pass breakups. Since 2018, Durant’s intercepted 12 passes and broken up 30 — talk about a ballhawk.
Sanders will need to be wary of where Durant is on the field at all times. The Tigers’ rushing attack doesn’t have any big names, but they have stellar weapons on the outside. Houston transfer Keith Corbin III leads the team with 65 receptions and 897 yards. However, Malachi Wideman owns the most TDs with 12, thanks in large part to his massive frame (6’5″).
Bulldogs RB Kendrell Flowers is the key to the offense, taking 158 carries for 811 yards (5.1 ypc) and 10 TDs on the year. WR Shaquan Davis is a big-play threat, averaging 19.8 yards on his 33 receptions. But South Carolina State will have trouble with JSU’s suffocating defense. Sanders’ squad has six players with 4+ sacks this year, including James Houston’s SWAC-leading 14.5.
South Carolina State vs. Jackson State prediction
On paper, this game shouldn’t be close, and Jackson State should take care of business. The offense needs to hold on to the ball, which won’t be easy as SCSU’s forced 18 turnovers in 2021. Regardless, the Tigers’ defense will prove too much for the Bulldogs to handle. As a result, Sanders wins his first bowl game, finishing the year 12-1 with momentum carrying over to a promising 2022.
South Carolina State vs. Jackson State Prediction: Jackson State 31, South Carolina State 10