Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs UTEP Miners Picks and Prediction for Saturday, November 8, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Jacksonville State Gamecocks (5-3, 4-0 CUSA) pay a visit to El Paso, Texas, and the Sun Bowl on Saturday for a Conference USA showdown with the UTEP Miners (2-6, 1-3 CUSA). Jacksonville State defeated Middle Tennessee 24-21 last time out. The Gamecocks have won three straight and are tied for first place with Kennesaw State in the CUSA. Utah lost to Kennesaw State 33-20 last time out, and the Miners have lost five of the last six. UTEP has won just one of four conference games. Jacksonville State will play without WR Colton Pitchford and LB Aidan Thompson, while six others are questionable. UTEP has 11 players listed as out and four more listed as questionable. The most notable listed as out is WR Jaden Smith. Make sure to read this in-depth Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs UTEP Miners prediction. Buckle up! Dive into our top NCAAF picks for Jacksonville State Gamecocks at UTEP Miners prediction and dominate your wagers.
Jacksonville State is scoring well, but its defense needs help
The Gamecocks have won four of five games and three straight as they enter this matchup at 4-0 in Conference USA.The Jacksonville State Gamecocks score an average of 30.7 points per game, which is 55th, while the defense allows an average of 26.6 points per game, which is 85th. The Gamecocks are second in rushing and 120th in passing. Jacksonville State averages 467.7 yards of total offense per game, which is 19th. The Gamecocks are 82nd in rushing yards allowed and 126th in passing yards per game. Jacksonville State allows an average of 433.9 yards per game, which is 117th.
Caden Creel and Gavin Wimsatt have split time under center for Jacksonville State. Creel has 525 yards passing with three touchdowns and two interceptions, while Wimsatt has 669 yards passing with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Creel played the majority of last week’s win over MTU and completed 13 of 19 for 139 yards and a TD on Oct 29. Cam Cook has 1,054 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns to lead Jacksonville State in both categories. Brock Rechsteiner has 305 yards receiving to lead the Gamecocks and has caught four touchdown passes. Safety Trevor Woods is the leading tackler with 42. Jacksonville State has recorded 17 quarterback sacks and intercepted four passes.
UTEP needs more from its offense, while its defense has done well
UTEP scores an average of 20.9 points per game, which is 114th, and allows an average of 25.3 points per game, which is 79th. UTEP generates 109.0 yards rushing and 216.4 yards passing for 325.4 total yards (115th) of total offense per game. UTEP's defense allows an average of 155.4 yards rushing and 195.5 yards passing for 350.9 yards per game, which is 51st.
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UTEP quarterback Malachi Nelson has 1,016 yards passing with 8 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Nelson has not played since October 8. Skyler Locklear has taken over the starting role at QB and has thrown for 560 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions. He completed 14 of 29 for 169 yards and two TDs in their loss to Kennesaw State on Oct. 28. Ashten Emory is the leading rusher with 267 yards and three touchdowns, while averaging 3.8 yards per carry. UTEP's leading receiver is Kenny Odom with 42 receptions for 418 yards and an average of 10.0 yards per reception. Odom has caught 4 touchdown passes. Linebacker Micah Davey leads UTEP in tackles with 94. UTEP has recorded 20 quarterback sacks and intercepted five passes.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs. UTEP Miners Pick
Spread Pick for Jacksonville State vs. UTEP
- Jacksonville Gamecocks -1 (4 units)
The Jacksonville Gamecocks have the second-best running game in college football, averaging 296.4 yards per game on the ground, and will face a UTEP defense that allows 155.4 yards per game rushing. Jacksonville State complements its running game with 171.3 yards passing per game and will face a UTEP defense that is allowing 195.5 yards passing per game. UTEP's offense has struggled this season, scoring an average of just 20.9 points per game compared to Jacksonville State, which is scoring an average of 30.7 points per game. UTEP has failed to cover the number in four of its last five games, and when tagged as the underdog, the Miners have covered the spread in just two of the last five games.
Over/Under Pick for Jacksonville State vs. UTEP
- Over 49.0 ( units)
The total has finished over in five of Jacksonville State’s last 7 games and in 10 of the last 15 games that Jacksonville State has played on a Saturday. Jacksonville State is scoring an average of 30.7 points per game, while UTEP averages 20.9 points per game. The Gamecocks are allowing an average of 26.6 points per game. The total has finished over in five of UTEP’s last six games played in November.
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