UTEP Miners vs. Kennesaw State Owls, Preview, Odds, Picks and Prediction, Tuesday, October 28, 2025
We have an interesting Conference USA game for Week 10 of the college football season as the UTEP Miners will be heading to Fifth Third Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia, on Tuesday night to face off against the Kennesaw State Owls in our Miners vs Owls prediction. The game is airing on ESPNU and these teams are on different levels so far this season.
The Miners (2-5, 1-2 CUSA) are coming off a 35-17 road win over the Sam Houston Bearkats on Oct. 15. The Owls (5-2, 3-0) are on a five-game winning streak as they are coming off Tuesday’s 45-26 road win over the Florida International Panthers. Rivalries, tempo, trenches — NCAAF picks for UTEP Miners at Kennesaw State Owls.
Miners on the Attack
The UTEP Miners were able to get back in the win column as they are coming off a 35-17 road win over the Sam Houston Bearkats last time out. The Miners stepped up offensively as the team scored 35 points on 411 total yards of offense (236 passing, 175 rushing). Quarterback Skyler Locklear played well, as he completed 21-of-26 passes for 236 yards with a pair of passing touchdowns and one interception, as well as 13 rushes for 48 yards (3.7 yards per carry) with two rushing touchdowns. The offense went only 3-for-11 on third downs throughout the game to move the ball. The Miners were able to run the football for 5.1 yards per carry. However, the team turned the ball over twice (one interception, one fumble recovery).
The defense was able to get going as the Miners allowed the Bearkats to score 17 points on 398 total yards (239 passing, 159 rushing). The defense struggled to get off the field as they were 6-for-18 on third downs and 0-for-4 on fourth downs throughout the game. UTEP forced a fumble as the team’s only turnover, but Sam Houston was able to move the ball as they recorded 20 total first downs on the day.
Locklear is completing 67.3% of his passes for 400 yards with three touchdown passes and four picks this season. He replaced USC transfer Malachi Nelson two games ago, who had struggled with accuracy (54.7%) earlier in the season. WR Kenny Odom leads the passing attack with 36 catches for 367 yards (10.2 ypc) and three TDs. UTEP has been struggling offensively as they are tied for 112th in the NCAA with 21.0 points per game. Their defense is allowing 24.1 points per game, which places them in 68th place throughout college football. They also allow 357.6 yards per game to rank 60th, and they are not doing too well in terms of slowing the running game down, as they are 90th with 156.1 rushing yards allowed per game.
Injury Report for UTEP
- Wide receiver Zo Hill: Questionable (Questionable)
- Tight end Judah Ezinwa: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Nik Henry: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Aramoni Rhone: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Offensive guard Tyler Roberts: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Safety Chace Biddle: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Linebacker Garrett Hawkins: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive back Jamal Frilot: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Safety Allen Gant: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Tight end Cash Cheeks: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Linebacker Joshua Rudolph: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive lineman Will Weber: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Linebacker Nate Dyman: Undisclosed (OUT)
- Defensive lineman Derek Burns: Undisclosed (OUT)
- Offensive lineman Maddox Huber: Undisclosed (OUT)
- Offensive lineman Preston Perkins: Undisclosed (OUT)
- Defensive end Kam Thomas: Lower Body (OUT)
- Wide receiver Jaden Smith: Knee (OUT)
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Owls Looking to become Bowl Eligible
The Kennesaw State Owls are looking to extend their five-game winning streak after last week’s 45-26 road win against the Florida International Panthers. Their offense dominated as they recorded 45 points on 498 total yards of offense (284 passing, 214 rushing) while recording 20 total first downs. Quarterback Amari Odom finished the game by completing 10-of-15 passes for 205 yards with one passing touchdown while also rushing nine times for 36 yards (4.0 yards per carry) with a rushing touchdown as well. The team did not turn the football over and was able to move the football at a great level as they averaged 16.7 yards per pass attempt as well as 5.2 yards per rush attempt.
The defense allowed 26 points on 518 total yards (296 passing, 222 rushing) and the team was 6-for-15 on third downs and 0-for-2 against the Owls. The defense failed to record any takeaways, and the Panthers were able to record 8.2 yards per pass as well as 6.0 yards per rushing attempt. With the defense unable to limit the amount of yards, they need to step up to get going and get that lucrative sixth win.
Amari Odom is completing 70.8% of his passes for 959 yards with five TDs and one pick this season, although he's listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury. Dexter Williams II saw action against FIU, throwing for 79 yards and had a passing TD and has tossed for 602 yards with 5 TDs and a pick this season, while rushing for two scores. WR Gabriel Benyard is leading the receiving group as he has 34 catches for 495 yards (14.6 ypc) and three touchdowns. Kennesaw State has been unable to score too much as they are tied for 89th in the NCAA with 25.3 points per game. Their defense is allowing 21.3 points per game, which places them tied for 44th in college football. They also allow 403.0 yards per game to rank 102nd and they are doing poorly at stopping the pass as they allow 7.2 yards per pass attempt (85th).
Injury Report for Kennesaw State
- Running back Coleman Bennett: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Quarterback Amari Odom: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Tight end Semaj Parker: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Tight end Rowan Darnell: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive back Kayden Miller: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Linebacker Donelius Johnson: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Linebacker Deldrick Franklin: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive back Tyler Hallum: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Kicker Daniel Kinney: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive back Alexander Ford: Undisclosed (Questionable)
UTEP Miners at Kennesaw State Owls Pick
Spread Pick for UTEP vs. Kennesaw State
- Kennesaw State Owls -9.5 (5 units)
The Kennesaw State Owls have been able to dominate throughout the season, while the UTEP Miners are struggling to do so. Seeing the Miners, they are having their backup quarterback under center in Skyler Locklear, which is going to hamper what the offense will do. When looking at the offenses as of late, there is a huge difference as UTEP is averaging 17.8 points in their previous five game, while Kennesaw State is scoring 33.0 points in their last four games. The quarterback situation shouldn't be a huge deal for the Owls, who have two experienced and solid QBs in Williams and Odom. The Owls are 5-2 ATS, so they are looking well, so go with the Kennesaw State Owls to cover the spread here.
Over/Under Pick for UTEP vs. Kennesaw State
- UNDER (4 units)
These defenses lately are stepping up as the Miners are giving up 22.0 points in their last three games, while the Owls are allowing 16.6 points in their previous five games played. Both offenses are struggling to maintain possession as UTEP is posting a -8 turnover ratio while Kennesaw State is sitting with a -2 ratio heading into this game. These teams also have shown the ability to run the football well, and that will result in fewer total plays. All in all, go with the UNDER as the better bet for this matchup.
