There’s few things better than mid-week College Football action to get us through between weekends of loaded games. Bowl season kicked off this past Saturday night with the Washington Huskies taking care of business against the Boise State Broncos. Tuesday evening brings us the Salute to Veterans Bowl featuring Troy and Jacksonville State. Let’s jump in and take a look at the preview of that game and our College Football Bowl best bet for Tuesday, December 16th.
The 2025 IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl will take place at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on Tuesday night. Kickoff is set for 10:00 ET and the game will air on ESPN. It’s the renewal of the “Battle for the Ol’ School Bell” rivalry. Once fierce rivals these two Alabama schools haven’t met in over 24 years on the football field, but that all changes Tuesday night, in Alabama. The Troy Trojans finished the year 8-5 with a loss to James Madison in the Sun Belt Championship game. Jacksonville State’s Gamecocks also finished 8-5, losing in the Conference USA championship game to Kennesaw State.
Troy may be without six of their players for this one. Corner Kaleno Levine has opted out. Their starting running back Tae Meadows and defensive end DJ Jackson have entered the transfer portal. Left tackle Elijah Prather and right tackle Garner Langlo are injured and looking unlikely to play. Quarterback Goose Crowder remains questionable but has logged practice time this week. For Jacksonville State, their transfer portal player is offensive tackle Reggie Jackson. Injuries for the Gamecocks include left guard Adrian Gumm, corner Tyrin Taylor, and defensive tackle Jawaun Campbell.
College Football Bowl Best Bets: Tuesday, December 16th
Caden Creel 103+ Rushing Yards (-113)
The Gamecock quarterback has been a menace to opposing defenses with his legs this season. Creel has hit the century mark on the ground in five straight games, and in seven of the last nine games for Jacksonville State. The Troy defense just gave up 85 yards on the ground to James Madison’s Alonza Barnett in the Sun Belt Championship Game.
Jacksonville State +1.5 (-105)
Riding the wheels of Caden Creel I’m going to roll with the Gamecocks as the underdogs in this game. Creel will be a difference maker in this one, and he’ll do so with his legs. His ability to scramble and stay away from a Troy defense that will be coming after him will be key. Troy’s quarterback situation also plays into this, will it be Goose Crowder who could be limited? Or will it be Tucker Kilcrease who has seen action in plenty of games, but I don’t trust as much. Give me Creel and the Gamecocks.
