It’s bowl season, which means we have a lot of football to watch between Dec. 13 and Jan. 19! Ohio State, Utah, Georgia Southern, Army, Texas A&M — and just about everyone in between — will take part in a total of 47 games that will ultimately conclude with the 2026 CFP National Championship.
NESN has you covered with previews for each and every game — with our next contest featuring an in-state rivalry:
2025 IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl
Matchup: Troy Trojans vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
Stadium: Cramton Bowl — Montgomery, Ala.
TV: ESPN
Game Overview
The Salute to Veterans Bowl features quite the wrinkle, as it serves as the return of an in-state rivalry between Troy and Jacksonville State — a.k.a. the Battle for the Ol’ School Bell. The Trojans and Gamecocks haven’t played since 2001, with the former winning seven consecutive games in the series, but the latter leading the all-time tally by a 33-28-2 margin, thanks to an outrageous run of victories from 1954-66.
It’ll be the second installment of the game since rebranding from the “Camellia Bowl” in 2023, with South Alabama earning the victory over Western Michigan in 2024.
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Team Overviews
Troy Trojans
Conference: Sun Belt
Head Coach: Gerad Parker
Record: 8–5
Troy had as good an opportunity as anyone to knock off College Football Playoff invitee James Madison, but allowed things to unravel in the fourth quarter and eventually dropped the 2025 Sun Belt Championship Game, 31-14.
The Trojans are banged up entering their third bowl game in the last four seasons, with starting quarterback Goose Crowder (injury), starting offensive tackles Elijah Prather and Garner Langlo (injury), starting running back Tae Meadows (transfer portal) and cornerback Kaleno Levine (opt-out) all slated to miss the matchup — presenting quite a few questions regarding who will play where.
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Tucker Kilcrease (who started seven games this season) is expected to start at quarterback, but that’s all there seems to be in terms of definites.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Conference: Conference USA
Head Coach: Charles Kelly
Record: 8-5
Jacksonville State has played in the Conference USA Championship Game in consecutive seasons, following up their victory over Western Kentucky in 2024 with a loss to Kennesaw State in 2025.
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The Gamecocks run the ball about as well as anyone, with running back Cam Cook leading the FBS in rushing yards (1,659) and CUSA in rushing touchdowns (16). Caden Creel, the club’s starting quarterback, chips in heavily on the ground and accounted for 1,085 yards and seven touchdowns — with the entire team leading FBS in rushing yards (3,354) and ranking third in rushing first downs (167). Gavin Wimsatt will also get some reps behind center.
Players to Watch
Troy
QB Tucker Kilcrease
RB Jordan Lovett
WR DJ Epps
WR Rara Thomas
DL Donnie Smith
LB Jordan Stringer
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Jacksonville State
QB Caden Creel
QB Gavin Wimsatt
RB Cam Cook
WR Caleb Coombs
WR Brock Rechsteiner
LB Mac Sanders
S Caleb Nix
S Walker O’Steen
Key Notes
The Salute to Veterans/Camellia Bowl has been a one-score game all but once, when Georgia State put an absolute beatdown on Ball State, 51-20, in 2021. It’ll be a good one, if history is to be believed.
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Jacksonville State wide receiver Brock Rechsteiner is the son of Scott Steiner, nephew of Rick Steiner and cousin of Bron Breakker — with the former two being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2022, and the latter serving as a former Intercontinental Champion. Rechsteiner is already signed with WWE, and will begin his wrestling career once football ends.
Betting Lines
DraftKings Sportsbook: Troy -2.5 | O/U 46.5
FanDuel Sportsbook: Troy -2.5 | O/U 46.5
BetMGM Sportsbook: Troy -2.5 | O/U 46.5
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The Pick: Jacksonville State +2.5
