After starting the year 0-2, it seemed Kennesaw State might be heading for another losing season in the FBS.
Instead, the Owls haven’t lost since. Led by first-year head coach Jerry Mack, the Owls are 5-2 and are one of two teams that are 3-0 in Conference USA play.
And Kennesaw State just seems to continue to get better and better. Most recently, the Owls won 35-7 over Louisiana Tech – which was deemed as one of the frontrunners in CUSA at the time – and then went on the road and defeated FIU 45-26. Kennesaw State is tied for 16th in the latest HERO Sports Group of Five Top 25 Media Poll after those performances.
The Owls hope to maintain that winning streak against a UTEP team that hasn’t been doing as well this year.
The Miners (2-5, 1-2) won at Sam Houston 35-17 in their last outing. That snapped a four-game losing streak, as their only other win of the season had been against FCS UT Martin.
UTEP vs. Kennesaw State Betting Odds
Kennesaw State is a -10 college football betting odds favorite against UTEP, with the Over/Under being 51.5 as of this writing. The moneyline for UTEP is +300, while it’s -375 for Kennesaw State.
UTEP vs. Kennesaw State On TV
The matchup between UTEP and Kennesaw State will be televised on ESPNU.
The game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 28. The contest is taking place at Fifth Third Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia.
UTEP vs. Kennesaw State Prediction
I predict Kennesaw State wins and covers the 10-point spread. I also project the game will go Under 51.5 total points.
I expect both of these defenses will have strong performances in this matchup.
Kennesaw State has allowed the second-fewest points in Conference USA at an average of 21.3 per game. UTEP is also in the top half of the league in scoring defense, sitting in sixth with 24.1 points per game allowed.
UTEP is actually third in CUSA in total defense with 357.6 yards per game allowed, while Kennesaw State is ninth with 405.1 YPG allowed.
But I also believe the Owls, who have scored a combined 80 points in their last two matchups, will do well on offense. Kennesaw State is top five in CUSA in scoring offense (25.3 points per game) and total offense (382.3 yards per game).
Now, keep in mind that quarterback Amari Odom was viewed as “day-to-day” due to an injury. But I think Dexter Williams II is also capable of shining in this matchup. He threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns against a top-notch Louisiana Tech defense and also stepped in and threw a beautiful touchdown pass against FIU as well.
I know UTEP just scored 35 points against Sam Houston, but I don’t trust the Miners’ offense as much. They had scored a combined 19 points in their two CUSA games before that. The Sam Houston win was the first time the Miners put up more than 25 points against an FBS team in 2025.
I anticipate this matchup will be close and low-scoring to start. But I also expect Kennesaw State’s offense to find a rhythm in the second half and win by two touchdowns at home.
