The Jacksonville State Gamecocks take on the UTEP Miners in El Paso, Texas. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. EST on ESPN+.
Jacksonville State is favored by one point on the spread with a moneyline of -115. The total is set at 49 points.
Here’s my Jacksonville State vs. UTEP prediction and college football picks for Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Jacksonville State vs UTEP Prediction
- Jacksonville State vs. UTEP Pick: UTEP +1 or Better
My UTEP vs. Jacksonville State best bet is on Miner Nation. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Jacksonville State vs UTEP Odds
| Jacksonville State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -110 | 49 -110o / -110u | -115 |
| UTEP Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -110 | 49 -110o / -110u | -105 |
- Jacksonville State vs UTEP point spread: Jacksonville State -1 (-10), UTEP +1 (-110)
- Jacksonville State vs UTEP over/under: 49 (-110o / -110u)
- Jacksonville State vs UTEP moneyline: Jacksonville State -115, UTEP -105
Jax State vs UTEP Pick
In my opinion, UTEP is one of the most undervalued Group of 5 teams right now.
For starters, the Miners boast one of the top non-Power Conference defenses in the country. Adjusted for opponent, only San Diego State has a better EPA Per Play than UTEP.
The problem for UTEP has been the offense, which has been absolutely dreadful for most of the season.
However, I do think that side of the ball is trending up after the Miners moved on from Malachi Nelson, the worst statistical quarterback in the country.
Just take a look at the difference between Nelson (a walking pick-six) and new starter Skyler Locklear:
- Nelson: 54% completion rate, 8.9 aDOT, 5.9% turnover-worthy play rate, 66.8 Rating
- Locklear: 60% completion rate, 10.1 aDOT, 3.7% turnover-worthy play rate, 80.3 Rating
In its most recent game before the bye week with Locklear at the helm, UTEP likely should have beaten Kennesaw State (one of the two best teams in the conference, along with WKU) if not for some criminal officiating and 16 non-offensive points surrendered in the first half (the only points it allowed over the first 30 minutes).
Meanwhile, this is a prime opportunity to sell high on the Gamecocks, who might also get caught peaking ahead to a showdown with Kennesaw State next week in a battle of undefeated teams in league play for first place in Conference USA.
TCU transfer running back Cam Cook has been a revelation for Jacksonville State, but we do need to pump the brakes a bit on a team that has the following five wins across one of the nation's easiest schedules to date:
- Murray State
- Liberty, when the Flames were a mess, but still finished with a 534-390 yardage edge
- Middle Tennessee by 3 (trailed multiple times in the fourth quarter)
- Sam Houston by 2 on a walk-off 52-yard field goal (also trailed going into the fourth)
A reeling Delaware team by 13
Delaware essentially gifted the Gamecocks an early 21-0 lead with a pair of short fields and a defensive touchdown. The Blue Hens still finished with 68 more net yards but couldn't overcome a 1-for-5 performance on fourth downs and a -2 turnover margin.
It's worth noting that even with a slightly more difficult schedule, UTEP still has a superior net yards per play edge on the year.
I do expect an entirely focused effort from the Miners, who still have an outside shot of bowl eligibility with a straightforward remaining schedule. Their defense can contain Cook, who's the entire Jacksonville State offense.
Jax State also has a minimal passing attack with new signal-caller Caden Creel, who has no Big-Time Throws and three Turnover-Worthy Plays since taking over under center.
Locklear can do enough on offense against a suspect Jacksonville State defense to get the job done. And if there's any team in the country that's due for a few bounces (-8 turnover margin) or calls, it's the Miners.
Pick: UTEP +1 or Better
