UTEP Miners vs. Sam Houston Bearkats Picks and Prediction for Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Use Code SSWC We have a Conference USA game in Week 8 of the college football season as the UTEP Miners will be travelling to the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday evening to face off against the Sam Houston Bearkats in our Miners vs Bearkats prediction. The game is airing on CBSSN and these teams are on terrible levels so far this season. The Miners (1-5, 0-2 CUSA) are on a four-game losing streak as they are coming off a 19-8 home loss against the Liberty Flames last Wednesday. The Bearkats (0-6, 0-3) are coming off Thursday’s 29-27 home loss against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. College gridiron clarity — NCAAF picks for UTEP Miners vs. Sam Houston Bearkats with key matchups.
Miners Looking to Snap Losing Streak
The UTEP Miners are coming off a 19-8 home loss against the Liberty Flames last time out. UTEP struggled offensively as the team scored eight points on 167 total yards of offense (111 passing, 56 rushing). Quarterback Skyler Locklear held his own after replacing Malachi Nelson as he completed 9-of-17 passes for 90 yards with a pair of interceptions as well as eight rushes for 58 yards (7.3 yards per carry) and a rushing touchdown on the day. UTEP recorded nine first downs as they were 6 3-for-15 on third downs while also going 1-for-2 on fourth down tries. The Miners struggled as they turned the ball over twice in the game.
The defense did enough to get off the field and get stops as the Miners allowed the Flames to score 19 points on 403 total yards (243 passing, 160 rushing). Liberty was able to maintain possession as they held the football for 39:56 of the game. With 22 total first downs, they were able to completely control the game.
Locklear is completing 53.8% of his passes for 164 yards with one touchdown and three picks this season after being the backup for the majority of the season. Nelson's issues were inaccuracy and turnovers as he completed 54.7% of his passes for 1,163 yards with eight TDs and nine picks. WR Kenny Odom leads the passing attack with 300 yards (11.5 ypc) and a pair of TDs. UTEP has been brutal offensively as they are tied for 125th in the NCAA with 18.7 points per game. Their defense is allowing 25.3 points per game, which places them tied for 73rd in college football. They also allow 350.8 yards per game to rank 63rd and they are outstanding in stopping the run, ranking 42nd, allowing 3.6 yards per rush thus far.
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Injury Report for UTEP
- Linebacker Joshua Rudolph: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Tight end Cash Cheeks: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Safety Chace Biddle: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Zo Hill: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Safety Allen Gant: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive back Jamal Frilot: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Tight end Judiah Ezinwa: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Linebacker Garrett Hawkins: 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 lineman Will Weber: Undisclosed (OUT)
- Wide receiver Jaden Smith: Knee (OUT)
- Running back Kam Thomas: Lower Body (OUT)
Bearkats Still Searching for a Win
The Sam Houston Bearkats are looking to bounce back from October 9th's 29-27 home loss against the Jacksonville State Jaguars. Their offense recorded 27 points on 286 total yards of offense (136 passing, 150 rushing) while recording only 15 total first downs. Quarterback Hunter Watson finished the game by completing 12-of-19 passes for 136 yards with three passing touchdowns and 13 rushes for 52 yards (4.0 yards per carry). Their offense committed one turnover (one fumble lost) and was called for five penalties, costing them 41 yards. They also lost the time of possession battle 35:13 to 24:47.
The defense allowed 29 points on 499 total yards (129 passing, 370 rushing) and the team was 4-for-14 on third downs and converted 3-of-4 fourth-down tries against the Bearkats. The defense forced a turnover (fumble recovery) and allowed 7.6 yards per pass as well as 5.9 yards per rushing attempt. Jacksonville State moved the ball with ease and that shows how weak the Sam Houston defense is.
Watson is completing 59.2% of his passes for 754 yards with four TDs and three picks this season. He also leads the running attack with 208 yards on 61 rushes (3.4 ypc) and two TDs. Sam Houston has been brutal as they are 118th in the NCAA with 20.3 points per game. Their defense is allowing 39.5 points per game, which places them 133rd in college football. They also allow 463.8 yards per game to rank 129th and they are horrific in stopping the pass, giving up 278.5 passing yards (130th).
Injury Report for Sam Houston
- Running back Elijah Green: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Kaleb Black: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Darrick Bledsoe III: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive lineman Caius Coy: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Linebacker JaMair Diaz: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Running back Ah’Marion Gaines-Smith: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Tight end Rayfield Lotten: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive lineman Anthony Shorter: Undisclosed (Questionable)
UTEP Miners vs. Sam Houston Bearkats Pick
Spread Pick for UTEP vs. Sam Houston
- UTEP Miners -2.5 (5 units)
These are two teams that are not very good, but there is still a gap between them. Sam Houston is arguably the worst program in college football, as they are only 14-of-76 (18.42%) on third downs and 5-of-15 (33.3%) on fourth downs this season. Their offensive line struggles to block in passing situations, as they've allowed 21 sacks as well. UTEP should be able to take advantage of that and score enough points to cover the spread on the road.
Over/Under Pick for UTEP vs. Sam Houston
- UNDER 47.5 (4 units)
UTEP is not scoring much as they are averaging only 9.5 points over their last two games. while Sam Houston is scoring 12.3 points during their previous three. With these offenses able to score the football, it does not matter how bad the defenses are. The Miners are expected to play Locklear under center, and having a backup quarterback does not usually mean points are going to be scored either. But neither quarterback has been productive for the Miners, who have gone under in 3 of the last 4 games. All in all, go with UNDER 47.5 POINTS as these offenses are going to have a lot of negative plays in this game.
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