As Week 7 of the 2025 College Football Regular Season approaches, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks travel to take on the Sam Houston Bearkats at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, TX. Scheduled for a night game on Thursday, October 9th, both teams aim to make an impact on their Conference USA standings. Viewers can catch the action live on CBSS at 8:00 PM.
Jacksonville State enters the contest with a 2-3 record and is still searching for their first road win, having lost all three away games this season. Despite their struggles on the road, they hold a 1-0 record in conference play and will look to build on that success. The Gamecocks will need to replicate their strong rushing performances from past games to secure a victory.
The Sam Houston Bearkats are eager to turn their season around, currently standing at 0-5, including a 0-2 record in conference games. Their home performance has been lackluster with a single defeat at Shell Energy Stadium. Facing Jacksonville State presents a chance to notch their first win and gain momentum as they progress through their schedule.
Sam Houston vs Jacksonville State At a Glance
- Game Location: Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, TX
- Game Date and Time: Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 8:00 PM
- Television Broadcast: CBSS
- Jacksonville State Record: 2-3 overall, 0-3 on the road
- Sam Houston Record: 0-5 overall, 0-1 at home
- Game Odds: Jacksonville State favored by 7.5 points
Sam Houston Bearkats Seek Redemption on the Road
Offensive Struggles
The Sam Houston Bearkats have experienced difficulties on offense this season. With only 75 points scored, they rank 91st in points for. Their passing and rushing yards are also lagging, with 885 passing yards ranking 108th and 503 rushing yards ranking 116th.
Last season, the Bearkats showcased a stronger offensive performance with 309 points, but they still ranked just 72nd. Their rushing attack was more effective, with 2364 rushing yards earning them a 40th place ranking.
Defensive Challenges
Defensively, the Bearkats have conceded 208 points this season, placing them 115th in points against. Despite this, their defense has shown prowess in forcing turnovers, ranking 3rd in interceptions with two and 5th in fumbles recovered with four.
In the previous season, the Bearkats’ defense was more robust, giving up 266 points and ranking 68th. They also recorded 28 sacks, achieving a respectable 22nd rank.
Quarterback Performance
Quarterback Hunter Watson leads the Bearkats with 618 passing yards over five games, placing him 122nd. Despite these struggles, Watson has managed to maintain a lead role, contributing one passing touchdown.
Mabrey Mettauer and Landyn Locke have shared the quarterback duties, with Mettauer accumulating 199 passing yards and Locke contributing 68 yards. Mettauer has thrown two interceptions compared to Locke’s zero.
Recent Game Outcomes
Recent games have been tough for the Bearkats, with losses to teams like New Mexico State and Texas. They fell 37-10 to New Mexico State, showing a lack of offensive firepower with just 10 points scored.
The Bearkats were shut out by Texas, losing 55-0, as they struggled to move the ball, gaining only 113 total yards. These performances underline the challenges they face in turning their season around.
Team Betting Trends
- O/U – Totals ≤ 42: Last 5 Games (2023) → 5-0 (100.0%)
- SU – As Favorite: Last 9 Games (2023–2025) → 7-2 (77.8%)
- SU – Home Games: Last 9 Games (2023–2025) → 7-2 (77.8%)
- O/U – As Underdog: Last 4 Games (2025) → 3-1 (75.0%)
- O/U – Away Games: Last 4 Games (2025) → 3-1 (75.0%)
Jacksonville State Gamecocks Aim to Rebound Against Sam Houston Bearkats
Gamecocks’ Offensive Analysis
Jacksonville State’s offense in 2025 has put up 148 points, placing them 51st in the nation. Their rushing attack stands out significantly, accumulating 1318 yards, which ranks 9th overall. However, their passing game has struggled, amassing only 719 yards, ranking a lowly 122nd.
The Gamecocks’ rushing prowess is led by standout Cam Cook, who has run for 614 yards, ranking him 6th nationally. With 5 rushing touchdowns, Cook is a key component in Jacksonville State’s offensive strategy. In contrast, their passing game remains a concern, with top quarterback Gavin Wimsatt throwing for only 576 yards.
Defensive Highlights
Defensively, the Gamecocks have allowed 134 points, ranking them 80th. Despite the average points allowed, Jacksonville State has excelled in creating turnovers with 3 interceptions and 4 fumbles recovered, both ranking among the top 5 nationally.
The defense has also been effective in pressuring opposing quarterbacks, recording 10 sacks, placing them 14th. Their ability to disrupt plays and generate turnovers is a strength they will look to capitalize on against Sam Houston.
Recent Performance and Key Players
In their last outing, the Gamecocks fell to Southern Miss 42-25, struggling to contain the Golden Eagles. Despite the loss, Cam Cook had an impressive performance with 262 rushing yards. Wimsatt’s passing struggles were evident, managing only 128 yards with 2 interceptions.
Previously, Jacksonville State defeated Murray State 45-10, showcasing their rushing dominance with 334 yards. Cook’s performance was again a highlight, while Wimsatt managed 202 passing yards, demonstrating his potential when given time.
Betting Trends
- As Favorites: 9-0 SU in last 9 games (2024–2025).
- Home Games: 8-0 SU in last 8 games (2024–2025).
- After Loss: 4-0 SU in last 4 games (2024–2025).
- As Underdog: 3-0 O/U in last 3 games (2025).
- All Games: 11-4 SU in last 15 games (2024–2025).
Jacksonville State is favored by 7.5 points against Sam Houston, and the total is set at 55.5. With their impressive track record of bouncing back after losses, the Gamecocks will be looking to leverage their rushing strength and defensive capabilities to secure a win.
Sam Houston vs Jacksonville State Prediction: Under 55.5
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks have shown a tendency to perform better defensively, ranking 80th in points against this season. Sam Houston’s offensive struggles are evident with just 75 points scored, placing them 91st in the nation. These factors indicate a low-scoring encounter.
In their last meeting, the total scored was 32 points, well below the current total of 55.5. With both teams having defensive strengths and offensive limitations, a similar outcome is anticipated. The Gamecocks’ road record also suggests potential difficulties in offense.
Sam Houston has had a challenging season, going 0-5, and scoring just 10 points in their last outing against New Mexico State. Jacksonville State’s solid defensive stats further point to a game where both teams might struggle to put up significant points.
Considering these aspects, the game is likely to remain under the projected total of 55.5. A projected final score of Jacksonville State 24 – Sam Houston 14 seems plausible given the current team performances.
- Sam Houston vs Jacksonville State Prediction: Under 55.5
- Sam Houston vs Jacksonville State Score: Jacksonville State 24 – Sam Houston 14
