Jax State's Cam Cook tries to evade the tackle of Kennesaw State's Isaac Paul during college school football action at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama November 15, 2025. (Dave Hyatt / Hyatt Media LLC)

In a bit of a shocker, Jacksonville State beat Western Kentucky in the regular-season finale to keep the Hilltoppers out of Friday night's Conference USA Championship game.

Meanwhile, Kennesaw State has already made a seven-win jump under first-year coach Jerry Mack and is looking to take CUSA in just the program’s second year in FBS.

These teams played Nov. 15, a 35-26 Jax State win. The Owls had 579 yards of offense but were undone by four turnovers. Cam Cook, the conference's leading rusher (1,588 yards), had 132 yards, while quarterback Caden Creel had 127 rushing yards of his own in the earlier meeting.

Kennesaw State's two other losses were a 10-9 season-opening defeat at Wake Forest, then a road loss at No. 2 Indiana.

Here's what you need to know for Friday night's game and who we think will win:

Conference USA Championship: Kennesaw State vs Jacksonville State

  • Records: Kennesaw State (9-3); Jacksonville State (8-4)
  • Time/TV: Friday, 7 p.m., CBSSN
  • Where: Jacksonville, Alabama

Conference USA Championship predictions

  • Kennesaw State 31, Jacksonville State 27: Although Jacksonville State got the better of the Owls in their first matchup, Jerry Mack has shown his mettle this season. Kennesaw State is able to get the upper hand in this one with Amari Odom bouncing back from his three-interception outing in the first go-round. Protecting the ball gives the Owls the edge, and they avenge their one conference loss this season and cap off a monumental turnaround. — Kevin Skiver
  • Jacksonville State 35, Kennesaw State 27: Despite losing coach Rich Rodriguez to West Virginia, Jacksonville State rolls to its second straight Conference USA championship behind a three-touchdown performance from running back Cam Cook to run his season total to 18. — Ehsan Kassim
  • Kennesaw State 35, Jacksonville State 30: This one feels like a toss-up, but I'll side with Kennesaw State getting its revenge against Jacksonville State and winning its first Conference USA title in just its second year as a member of the Division I FBS level. To do that, though, the Owls will need to be able to contain Jacksonville State running back Cam Cook, who ran for 132 rushing yards and a touchdown in the first meeting. — John Leuzzi

Conference USA Championship betting odds

Odds via BetMGM, as of Dec. 4

  • Spread: Kennesaw State (-2.5)
  • Over/under: 59.5
  • Moneyline: Kennesaw State (-140)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Conference USA Championship game Kennesaw State vs Jax State predictions, keys to game

Reporting by John Leuzzi, Ehsan Kassim and Kevin Skiver, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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