Jackson State vs NC Central Prediction: Celebration Bowl Odds and Picks

In his final game before heading to coach Colorado, Deion Sanders will lead the Jackson State Tigers against the NC Central Eagles in the 2022 Celebration Bowl on Saturday. 

Jackson State seeks a 13-0 perfect season, as the SWAC champions look to win this game after losing 31-10 to South Carolina State a year ago. Meanwhile, North Carolina Central started the season 5-2, but four straight wins have the program looking to finish strong after claiming the MEAC title.

Last year’s loss by Jackson State was the fifth time in six matchups that the MEAC champion has defeated the SWAC champion. Can Sanders and company avoid repeating history, or will NC Central spring the upset? We break down the best betting angles in our Jackson State vs NC Central college football picks and predictions for Saturday, December 17.

Jackson State vs NC Central best odds

Odds courtesy of bet365 on Dec 16, 2022.

Jackson State vs NC Central picks and predictions

The numbers that Jackson State has put up on offense this season are absurd. Led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Deion’s son, the Tigers led the SWAC in total offense at nearly 450 yards per contest, and posted a league-best 38 points per game. Sanders threw for more than 3,500 yards and 38 touchdowns with just seven interceptions, and added close to 350 yards rushing with five more scores.

But as good as their offense has been, the defense has been better. 2022 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year Aubrey Miller, Jr leads a front seven that racks up tackles for loss left and right. They also get to the quarterback regularly, averaging nearly four sacks per game. That said, the secondary can be gotten to if quarterbacks are given time, as Southern showed in their matchup at the end of the season.

That’s good news for NC Central. Quarterback Davius Richard is a physical dual-threat quarterback who can cause problems for the Tigers if he’s not contained. Richard threw for 24 touchdowns and more than 2,400 yards, while adding almost 700 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. He led an NCCU offense to MEAC highs in yards per game at 442, and more than 38 points per contest. According to PFF, Richard was the highest-rated FCS HBCU quarterback this season. 

Defensively, NCCU will need to step up. It’s registered just 18 sacks in 11 games this season, but has a solid red-zone defensive unit with just 19 touchdowns conceded in 34 trips. It also has the 2022 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year in Khalil Baker, and has done a great job forcing turnovers this season.

With more than 200 yards rushing per game, the Eagles are going to really test Jackson State’s front seven. And I think they will be successful. NC Central was the best rushing HBCU in FCS this season according to PFF, and the Eagles had the highest third-down conversion rate of any FCS team. 

Southern showed Jackson State’s run defense is not invincible, as Glendon McDaniel ran for 162 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries in its 43-24 loss. Southern’s passing game let it down — but I think NC Central will be just fine with Richard at the helm. The Eagles, behind Richard and running back Latrell Collier, will move the ball and put up enough points to stay within striking distance, and that allows them to cover the spread when it’s all over. 

My best bet: NC Central +14 (-110 at FanDuel)

Jackson State vs NC Central spread analysis

These two teams are more than just their quarterbacks and defensive units. Sy’veon Wilkerson averaged more than five yards per carry this season for Jackson State. Much of that success came behind an overhauled offensive line led by Devin Hayes and Patrick Willis, a pair of solid transfers at offensive tackle. Sanders also has a trio of outstanding receivers to whom he spreads the ball to regularly — making it difficult to key on any one aspect of the offense.

RIchard has some weapons around him as well. Receivers EJ Hicks and Devin Smith also could feast against Jackson State’s secondary, especially if they get man coverage as they’re both explosive players. Meanwhile, Collier rushed for 5.5 yards per carry and eight scores to complement Richard’s ground exploits.

I don’t think NC Central gets blown out, but it’s tough to see it get the win. It barely squeaked past a 4-7 Tennessee Tech team to end the season. Jackson State has won each of its games this season by at least eight points, and just two of its games have been within two touchdowns — but that winning margin has come down over the past few weeks. 

Jackson State vs NC Central Over/Under analysis

The total of 55 in this game is an interesting one, and much of the outcome of the total will depend on whether these defensive units can prevent big plays. As good as NC Central’s defense is, I expect Jackson State to put up points. The Tigers have too many weapons at multiple positions, and the lack of pass rush for the Eagles will be problematic against Sanders.

But can Sanders be patient if he has to get into the red zone and put together longer drives? The Eagles love to force turnovers, and he will need to simply take what is given to him. Sanders has thrown just one pick over his last five games, which bodes well for the Over.

Jackson State’s not seen many games reach the 55-point mark, though. Of its last six games, just one has gone past 55, with one other hitting exactly that mark. It’s been reached much more often for NC Central though, with six of its last nine games reaching 55 points or more. 

Jackson State vs NC Central game info

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