Jacksonville State and Sam Houston left the FCS, jumped up to the FBS, and became members of Conference USA at the same time.
After struggling in 2023, both were pretty successful last year. In fact, Jax State ended up winning the league championship in 2024. Now in 2025, both have first-year head coaches. But this season is going a bit different for the two programs.
The Gamecocks are 2-3 overall, but two of those games – a 17-10 loss at UCF and a 41-34 loss at Georgia Southern – were close. And they’re also 1-0 in CUSA play after defeating preseason favorite Liberty earlier this year.
Sam Houston, though, is 0-5. The Bearkats haven’t even been in a game decided by one score yet, including their two losses against CUSA foes Western Kentucky and New Mexico State.
Could they bounce back and earn that first win against Jax State at home?
Jacksonville State vs. Sam Houston Spread & Betting Odds
Sam Houston is a +7 college football betting odds underdog against Jacksonville State, with the Over/Under being 54.5 as of this writing.
The moneyline for Jacksonville State is -300, while it’s +240 for Sam Houston.
Jacksonville State vs. Sam Houston On TV
The matchup between Jacksonville State and Sam Houston will be televised on CBSSN.
The game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 9. The contest is taking place at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Jacksonville State vs. Sam Houston Prediction
I predict Sam Houston will win and therefore cover the seven-point spread. I also project the game will go Under 54.5 total points.
The Gamecocks have a bit of uncertainty at quarterback right now. Gavin Wimsatt and Caden Creel were listed as co-starters on the team’s depth chart going into this game. Wimsatt has been the team’s primary signal caller and has thrown for 576 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions on a 56% completion rate. Creel saw the field in Jax State’s last game against Southern Miss and completed 9 of 17 passes for 109 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions while leading the team with 161 yards and one touchdown on the ground.
And if Jax State has to depend on the ground game, I think that’s a favorable development for Sam Houston. Despite their issues, the Bearkats are third in CUSA in rushing defense, having allowed 148.4 yards per game on the ground thus far.
And on the other side, I think this is a game where Sam Houston quarterback Hunter Watson will thrive. He’s thrown for 618 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions on a 59% completion rate and has rushed for 156 yards and two scores. But I don’t think those stats show what he’s capable of.
I think Sam Houston will show improvement on both sides of the ball and that Phil Longo will earn his first victory as the head coach of the Bearkats.
