South-Carolina
Jackson State vs. South Carolina State: Predictions, odds for Celebration Bowl
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The college football bowl season kicks off with a bang as the Cricket Celebration Bowl features the Jackson State Tigers facing off against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at noon on Saturday.
The Tigers are riding a wave of momentum into the bowl game, having clinched their third SWAC conference championship with a resounding 41-13 victory over the Southern Jaguars. This triumph, despite an early setback with quarterback Jacobian Morgan’s injury, was a testament to the team’s resilience and depth, with backup Zy McDonald stepping up to lead the offense effectively. McDonald’s 54.5% completion rate, one touchdown, one interception, and a rushing touchdown for 95 yards further underscore the Tigers’ readiness for the Cricket Celebration Bowl.
The Bulldogs are entering bowl season with a 9-2 record, having secured the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. The offense is spearheaded by Eric Phoenix, a transfer from Murray State. In his first season with the Bulldogs, Phoenix delivered an impressive performance, achieving a 65.3% completion rate with 2,469 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Here is everything to know ahead of the Cricket Celebration Bowl.
Cricket Celebration Bowl predictions: Jackson State vs. South Carolina State
Clarion Ledger: South Carolina State 27, Jackson State 23
Sam Sklar writes: “It’s difficult to pick weaknesses from each team. Jackson State has already won games this season despite quarterback attrition. But with Morgan’s status unknown, the Tigers’ offense has a slow start that it can’t overcome.”
College Football News: Jackson State 27, South Carolina State 24
Fiu Bluesky writes: “This game never seems to disappoint – it was 7 in our How Good Was Your Bowl? rankings last year – and this time is should be just as strong. Jackson State isn’t as good as it was in the Coach Prime era, but those 2021 and 2022 teams both lost. Both teams are explosive, both have a terrific defense, but Jackson State has a bit more power to go with the flash.”
Picks and Parlays: South Carolina State Bulldogs win 27-17
Eddie Kline writes: “South Carolina State has won seven straight games and has scored 107 points total in their last two contests. Jackson State has one three of the previous four SWAC Conference Championships and has been on this stage. Look for the Bulldogs to pull off the upset and give the MEAC its seventh win in the last nine games in this bowl. Final Score Prediction, South Carolina State Bulldogs win 27-17.”
Cricket Celebration Bowl odds, lines: Jackson State vs. South Carolina State
The Jacksonville State Tigers are favorites to defeat the South Carolina State Bulldogs, according to the BetMGM college football odds.
Odds as of afternoon of Friday, Dec. 13.
- Spread: South Carolina State (-2.5)
- Moneylines: South Carolina State (-130); Jackson State (-120); South Carolina State (+110)
- Over/under: 53.5
How to watch Jackson State vs. South Carolina State in the Cricket Celebration Bowl
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 14
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- TV: ABC
- Stream: Fubo
- Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Tickets to the Cricket Celebration Bowl with StubHub
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South-Carolina
Tennessee Football 2026 SEC Opponent Summer QnA Preview: South Carolina | Rocky Top Insider
Tennessee football is returning to a house of horrors next season. The Vols will play at South Carolina, where their magical 2022 season essentially came to an end, and Hendon Hooker tore his ACL to finish his college career.
With fall camp around the corner, I spoke with Lulu Kesin of The Greenville News to get the inside scoop on where the Gamecocks are at this summer ahead of this year’s matchup.
Here’s what she said.
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Heading into year six, what’s the feeling around where the program is at under Shane Beamer?
I think there’s still lingering disappointment in how big of a step back 2025 was, but a lot of fans’ blame really went on former offensive coordinator Mike Shula. With the Kendal Briles hire and just with time, there’s been some optimism starting to flood in, but overall I think most feel like this is a make-or-break year for Shane Beamer. His transfer portal success combined with the fact that high school recruiting didn’t take a huge hit despite the 4-8 season helps a lot, but South Carolina can’t miss a bowl game again.
South Carolina was able to return LaNorris Sellers at quarterback. What are the expectations for him this season?
It’s rare to see a quarterback stay in one place for three seasons which is an advantage that should LaNorris Sellers has to capitalize on. He’s had three different OCs which isn’t great. Without a spring game, it’s hard to tell how things are going in Briles’ system, but there are high expectations regardless. LaNorris is a football junkie and often described as a perfectionist so last season was likely a harsh wake-up call in some ways. He’s had bad protection so far but also his own issues to improve upon. I think the expectation now is that Briles is the OC who can get him to where he needs to be, which is closer to his 2024 self.
What have the Gamecocks built around Sellers on offense?
WR Nyck Harbor is the biggest piece downfield, and their chemistry took a big step forward last year. Nitro Tuggle, a transfer WR from Purdue, is another player to keep an eye on. South Carolina does not necessarily have a clear RB1 now, but Beamer brought in three portal RBs, which will hopefully give the offense some life on the ground. On both sides of the ball South Carolina lacked maturity and experience last year so Beamer intentionally brought in some players who had in-game experience, even if it was limited.
A major factor was a lack of protection so South Carolina completely revamped its offensive line. That’s a huge element to Sellers success. He was sacked 42 times last year, the third most in DI.
What projects to be the strengths, weaknesses of the defense?
South Carolina’s secondary will have to operate without DQ Smith, Brandon Cisse and Jalon Kilgore and those are some big shoes to fill. Dylan Stewart was never fully healthy towards the latter half of last season, so if he’s back to 100% then there’s still a lot of strength there, especially with freshman edge rusher Julian Walker coming in.
Do you have an early prediction for the game, or is it too far out to tell still?
I lean more towards it’s too far out to tell but under Beamer, South Carolina is 1-3 in games played during that Oct. 22-26 range. It’s also after a bye week which can either hurt or help the Gamecocks but being at home is certainly an advantage.
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Residents who live in Greenville know it’s a gem that shines brightly among other top cities in the U.S.
Word about the mid-size city is spreading with CNN Travel ranking it No. 3 on its list of best towns to visit in America in 2026. The only other cities ahead of it were Sarasota, Florida at No.1 followed by New Haven, Connecticut.
And CNN had a lot to say about Greenville’s southern charm and vibrant downtown.
“Greenville’s got a Main Street that lives up to its name, at the heart of a lively downtown connected to other parts of the city by the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 28-mile pedestrian and bike network lined with parks and local businesses,” said CNN.
Those new to the area may be enjoying all that it now has to offer, but much has changed since the 80s. Here’s how far the city has come and other aspects that make it special, according to CNN.
Greenville’s transformation ‘decades-in-the-making’
Compared to other cities, Greenville’s downtown feels safe, a description worlds away from what it once was. Russell Stall, executive director of the Greenville County Historical Society, told CNN the area currently known as Fall Parks used to be a place of prostitution and drug use. When Greenville was known as the “Textile Capital of the World,” its industrial hub for cotton mills and manufacturing were powered by the Reedy River in the late 19th and 20th centuries. As a result, dyes and chemicals polluted the river’s waters, hence the nickname the “Rainbow Reedy.” What remains of the era are a few former mill house loft apartments. In the 1990s, the city’s mills began to shutter.
Stall called downtown’s uplift “one of the most significant revitalizations in the history of the city,” referencing the Hyatt Hotel, Peace Center, music venues Coach Music Factory and The Mockingbird, and Fluor Field among key precursors of city change.
Although many positives have come with Greenville’s rise, there have been some downfalls, like the loss of the historic City Fall.
“We tore down a lot of the historic structures that we shouldn’t have,” Stall told CNN.
CNN spotlights Greenville’s sights, recreation, dining scene
Often referred to as a “city with a small town feel,” Greenville has a wealth of things to do, so don’t let the saying mislead you. Sightseeing is an activity that doesn’t cost a dime, with CNN highlighting Liberty Bridge and the Falls as two places with amazing views. The Grand Bohemian Lodge was mentioned due to its “rustic wood-and-stone aesthetic,” accessible through Reedy River’s paths.
Other things to do include riding a bike along the Swamp Rabbit Trail, visiting the Greenville Zoo, and exploring the Village of West Greenville, the city’s art district. CNN also spotlighted Michelin-starred restaurant Scoundrel and Chef Joe Cash, a Greenville native with experience in New York and Copenhagen’s restaurants scene.
“You come home and you see, you know, there’s some new restaurants, some fun things to do. Some more interesting, a little more modern, a little less steak and potatoes, a little more farm-to-table,” Cash said. “And so kind of just watching that over the years, it made sense for me to come back.”
CNN’s Top 10 best towns to visit in America 2026
- Sarasota (Florida)
- New Haven (Connecticut)
- Greenville
- Bethlehem (Pennysylvania)
- Fort Collins (Colorado)
- Burlington (Vermont)
- Juneau (Alaska)
- Iowa City (Iowa)
- Lawrence (Kansas)
- Roanoke (Virginia)
Nina Tran is the breaking news and education reporter for The Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her via email at ntran@usatodayco.com.
COLUMBIA — Coach Dawn Staley gave fans an early look at what’s to come with South Carolina women’s basketball and Nike.
The university officially switched to the brand as its uniform supplier on July 1 after 19 years with Under Armour. This move brings the chance to support A’ja Wilson, a former Gamecocks star who has had her own signature shoe with Nike since May 2025.
In the contract of the Nike agreement, it specifically stated Staley’s team would get Wilson’s shoes, including custom team colors. On July 2, Staley posted photos of the shoes.
While it’s unconfirmed as of now if they are the exact shoes the team will get and wear, the ones Staley posted are garnet, black and white “A’Twos” with Gamecocks logos. One shoe has a black top, the other with white, with matching logos and garnet detail around the base of the shoe.
The bottom of each shoe has Wilson’s logo from her Nike line, in addition to the signature Nike swoosh.
Staley captioned the post, “Why are my feet on fire? Here’s why?!! @GamecockWBB 1 of 1s but are @_ajawilson22 A’Twos!”
Wilson started with her shoes called the “A’One” and then released a second version in May called the A’Twos. South Carolina players can now wear any Nike shoes they want, but the contract specifically mentions the latest version of the A’Twos.
Staley had her own Nike signature shoe released in 1999 called the “Nike Zoom S5.”
“Having been a Nike athlete most of my life, I’m well-versed in what partnership with them means to an organization and its athletes,” Staley said in the July 1 news release. “I am excited that all of our teams at South Carolina will get to feel that, too. For our women’s basketball team, only good things have happened when we’ve partnered with A’ja Wilson, so I look forward to what’s coming next in that legacy.”
Five South Carolina athletes signed signed NIL deals as part of Nike’s new Blue Ribbon Elite NIL program, including women’s basketball stars Joyce Edwards and Chloe Kitts. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers, wide receiver Nyck Harbor and edge rusher Dylan Stewart round out the group of five Gamecocks who are part of the inaugural Blue Ribbon class for South Carolina.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
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