COLLEGE FOOTBALL
South Alabama has opened the season with a stronger blend of scoring and efficiency, putting up 63 points across two games and creating 225.0 passing yards and 211.5 rushing yards per game. Ohio has been balanced enough on offense with 25.0 points per game and 152.0 rushing yards per game, but the Bobcats’ defense has been the bigger issue, surrendering 280.5 passing yards per game and 204.5 rushing yards per game. South Alabama’s defense has also been tested, yet it has held opponents to 21.0 points per game, which gives the Jaguars a meaningful edge in a game that should be decided by whether Ohio can slow the pace and avoid repeated long fields.
South Alabama looks like the more complete team and should control enough of the game to cover. The Jaguars’ offense has been more explosive and more efficient, and Ohio’s defense has allowed too many yards and too many points to feel safe backing the underdog. My projected final score is South Alabama Jaguars 31, Ohio Bobcats 23, which supports the South Alabama side and a game total that sits above the low end of the market range.
