Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Sam Houston Bearkats Betting Pick & Prediction for 10/9

College Football Preview

In Week 7 of the 2025 NCAA football season, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks head to Houston to play the Sam Houston Bearkats. The game will take place at Shell Energy Stadium, an outdoor field. Kickoff is set for Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 8:00 PM and will be broadcast on CBSS.

Jacksonville State enters the game with a 2-3 record, struggling on the road with a 0-3 record. Meanwhile, Sam Houston is still searching for their first win of the season, holding a 0-5 record. Both teams are part of Conference USA, adding extra importance to this matchup.

Jacksonville State Team Preview

Jacksonville State Gamecocks have had a mix of results in the 2025 season. They won against Murray State Racers with a score of 45-10, showing strong rushing performance with 334 yards. However, they faced a tough loss against Southern Miss Golden Eagles, ending with a 42-25 score, where turnovers became an issue.

In the games played, the Gamecocks have shown a solid rushing game, ranking 9th with 1,318 yards for the season. Cam Cook stands out with 614 rushing yards, placing him 6th overall. The team has struggled with passing, as their passing yards are ranked 122nd, which may be a point to improve moving forward.

Gavin Wimsatt has been their leading quarterback, playing all five games and throwing for 576 yards. His performance has been supported by receivers like Brock Rechsteiner, who has 215 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. The Gamecocks will need to address their turnover issues to improve in upcoming games, as they’ve had multiple interceptions and fumbles in their losses.

Jacksonville State vs Sam Houston Game Day Info

  • Sport: NCAA Football
  • Teams: Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs. Sam Houston Bearkats
  • Venue: Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, TX
  • Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
  • Betting Odds: Jacksonville State -314, Sam Houston +250

Sam Houston Team Preview

The Sam Houston Bearkats have struggled this season with a 0-5 record. Their offense has had difficulty scoring, with only 75 points across the games. The team ranks 91st in points for this season.

Quarterback Hunter Watson has led the team with 618 passing yards. However, the team has only managed to score two passing touchdowns. Their rushing game has also been limited, with Landan Brown leading with just 109 rushing yards.

Injuries might impact the Bearkats as they head into their next game. Key players like Zo’Maryon Bryan and Ah’Marion Gaines-Smith are questionable. The team will need to overcome these challenges to improve their performance.

BTB Betting Pick

For the spread, take Jacksonville State to cover -7.5. Jacksonville State’s strong rushing game, ranked 9th, will likely overpower Sam Houston’s defense, which is ranked 115th in points allowed. The projected score is Jacksonville State 35, Sam Houston 21, which supports Jacksonville State covering the spread.

For the total, consider the under 55.5. Jacksonville State’s defense, with a solid ranking in interceptions and fumbles recovered, may limit Sam Houston’s scoring. The projected total score is 56, but given the defensive strengths, the game might finish under 55.5.