by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021
Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET, November 26, 2021
Venue: Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, AL
Where to watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Coastal Carolina -15
BetMGM: Coastal Carolina -14.5
Caesars: Coastal Carolina -15
Season record
Coastal Carolina: 9-2 (5-2 Sun Belt)
South Alabama: 5-6 (2-5 Sun Belt)
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Coastal Carolina - South Alabama preview and analysis
Last week
Coastal Carolina: won 35-21 vs. Texas State
South Alabama: lost 60-14 at Tennessee
Barring an unforeseen collapse of epic proportions, there will be Sun Belt Conference championship game for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.
After a disappointing end to their season, the Chanticleers will close out the regular season on the road in a matchup against the South Alabama Jaguars on Friday.
Coastal Carolina's loss to the Georgia State Panthers created some chaos within the East Division. The once-ranked Chanticleers are not just out of a high-ranked bowl game, but the conference title is no longer in play. Thanks to the loss to Georgia State, CCU needs a miracle to reach the conference title game, and that doesn't seem likely.
The Chanticleers are coming off a 35-21 victory over the Texas State Bobcats in their final home game of the season last Saturday. QB Grayson McCall had one of his best games of the season throwing for 319 yards and a school record five touchdown passes from the sophomore quarterback, a much-needed effort from the leader of that offense.
Coastal Carolina is a win away from its second consecutive 10-win season, the second such occurrence since 2013-14. But they've never won at the newly-built Hancock Whitney Stadium and the two have split the only two meetings.
South Alabama will be look to reach bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016 when the Jaguars lost 45-21 to Air Force in the Arizona Bowl. They could've wrapped up that process three games ago had they won any of the last three weeks, but the Jaguars have been blown out in two of the three.
The Jaguars are coming off three straight road games, the latest being a 60-14 loss to the Tennessee Volunteers in an abysmal showing by the South Alabama defense. Quarterback Desmond Trotter threw for two touchdowns, but the running game was bottled up on just 69 not nice yards on 37 carries.
In the last two weeks, between Appalachian State and Tennessee, the Jaguars have been outscored 91-21.
Prediction
Coastal Carolina is laying more than two touchdowns against a team it should easily handle. The problem is the Chanticleers have not covered in four of the last five, but the Jaguars have not covered in four of their last five, either. South Alabama, however, has covered its last four home games against teams with a winning road record. And given the fact Coastal Carolina has not been consistent all year, I will lead to the 'Cleers getting the win via the passing game but USA slightly covering. Coastal Carolina by 13
Betting trends
The under has cashed the last four when Coastal Carolina is a road favorite.
Coastal Carolina is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 road games.
Coastal Carolina is 6-1 ATS off a home win against a conference opponent.
South Alabama is 8-19 ATS in its past 27 after failing to cover in 4 or 5 of its last six.
Statistical leaders
Coastal Carolina:
Passing: Grayson McCall -- 2,382 yards, 22 TD, 2 interceptions
Rushing: Shermari Jones -- 777 yards, 12 TD
Receiving: Jaivon Heiligh -- 947 yards, 6 TD
South Alabama:
Passing: Jake Bentley -- 2,122 yards, 15 TD, 5 INT
Rushing: Terrion Avery -- 497 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Jalen Tolbert -- 1,283 yards, 7 TD
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
