This appears to be a favorable spot for Jacksonville State to make its FBS debut under Rich Rodriguez, who had previous stops at Arizona, Michigan and West Virginia. A pioneer of the spread offense, his team has ample weapons and will push the tempo. This is a solid litmus test against a UTEP club that reloaded from the portal following a 5-7 campaign. The Miners could have the better personnel, but the Gamecocks have the situational edge in a milestone spot for the program.

Jacksonville State steps up from FCS for its FBS debut yet flirted with favoritism. The Gamecocks did go 2-3 straight-up against the higher division recently, including a shocker over Florida State, but the other win was over bottom feeder FIU. The defense needs replenishment, which bodes ill against UTEP's talented O-line. The Miners' defense topped Conference USA for yards allowed. Jax State QB Zion Webb has been around forever, but his touchdown pass count (10) last year barely exceeded interceptions (nine). The 'Cocks likely must wait for win No. 1 as a full-fledged FBS member.

Jacksonville State may be new to the FBS level, but that doesn't mean it isn't ready to hang with its new Conference USA partners. This team won its conference last year, and should be favored at home against the Miners.

Jacksonville State is coming off a strong final year of FCS play, going 9-2 and winning the Atlantic Sun title. Now the Gamecocks' FBS debut comes in the perfect setting, at home on a big stage in a game that they can win. Head coach Rich Rodriguez will have JSU ready to go for what should be a 12th straight win for the program in a home opener.

Rich Rodriguez teams score early and often - I witnessed it in person at Arizona for six seasons. He's one of the best and most creative offensive coaches in college football. The problem is those same teams usually don't play great defense. Jacksonville State's first game as a member of FBS and Conference USA has shootout written all over it, especially against a UTEP team who brings back eight offensive starters. In their last seven games in 2022, UTEP scored 30+ five times. I would not be surprised if both teams surpassed 30 points in a fun, back-and-forth season opener.

An opening conference game between a team on the rise in UTEP and a newcomer to the FBS in Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks were a stellar FCS program and it won't take them long to make the adjustment. UTEP is underrated along the lines of scrimmage and that's where the one adjustment needs to happen for JSU before they make a significant step forward in the subdivision. Expect the run game of the Miners to travel well with them.

With our college football model sims going active today, let's make the first play with a little over three weeks until Week Zero. It's the FBS debut of new Conference USA member Jacksonville State, a former FCS powerhouse, so it's one of the biggest home games in school history. The Gamecocks, who won the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2022, are coached by someone you may have heard of: Rich Rodriguez. His offense should be very good from the get-go as it brings back nearly everyone on that side of the ball, led by SEVENTH-YEAR QB Zion Webb. I mean, dude is so old he's still using a Sidekick phone. Defense may be a problem for RichRod's crew but I think they win a shootout.