Led by 11th-year head coach Jack Crowe, the Gamecocks compiled an overall record of 9–3 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, placing second in the OVC.

In the season opener at Ole Miss, Jacksonville State stunned its NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent with a double-overtime upset, 49–48.

In the second overtime period, the Gamecocks matched Ole Miss with a touchdown and Crowe ordered his team to attempt a two-point conversion to end the game.

"[1] Jacksonville State entered the regular season finale against underdogs Tennessee Tech ranked fourth in the nation, with a share of the OVC championship on the line.

Tennessee Tech, however, successfully mounted four rapid-fire touchdown drives to win, 35–24, and denied Jacksonville State a share of the conference title and an automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs.