UTEP is set to face Jacksonville State on Saturday afternoon as part of the Week 0 college football schedule. This marks Jacksonville State’s inaugural matchup in Conference USA following its acceptance of an invitation in November 2021, marking a transition to the FBS level. Among the four new entrants into Conference USA this season, the Gamecocks are primed for a debut. Contrastingly, the Miners concluded the 2022 season with a 5-7 record.
The kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. ET and will air live on CBS Sports Network. UTEP takes a 2-point lead in the UTEP vs. Jacksonville State odds according to the consensus from SportsLine. The anticipated total points scored, over/under, is set at 54. Before making any decisions on Jacksonville State vs. UTEP, it’s advisable to peruse the college football forecasts and wagering recommendations provided by SportsLine’s reputable computer simulation model.
Renowned for simulating each FBS college football match 10,000 times, the SportsLine Projection Model has yielded substantial profits, nearly $2,500, for bettors who invested $100 in its top-rated college football spread picks. Followers of this model have witnessed remarkable returns.
This time, the model focuses its analysis on UTEP vs. Jacksonville State, revealing its selections and prognostications. For the model’s picks, you can refer to SportsLine. Here are some pertinent college football odds and trends for the match:
UTEP vs. Jacksonville State spread: UTEP -2
UTEP vs. Jacksonville State over/under: 54 points
UTEP vs. Jacksonville State money line: UTEP -130, Jacksonville State +110
UTEP: The over has prevailed in the Miners’ last four road games.
JSU: The under has dominated in the Gamecocks’ last 14 games overall.
UTEP vs. Jacksonville State picks: Check out the picks at SportsLine.
Factors Favoring UTEP
UTEP’s strategic emphasis on the running game provides diversity to its offensive approach, employing multiple tailbacks from the backfield to baffle opposing defenses. Their prowess in rushing offense in 2022, ranking fifth at 167.2 yards, is notable. Junior Deion Hankins stands as the lead running back for the upcoming season, renowned for his capacity to elude arm tackles and gather yards after contact. In the previous season, Hankins secured the second-highest rushing yards (701) on 140 carries, scoring three touchdowns. Senior quarterback Gavin Hardison contributes with precise accuracy, strong field vision, and a penchant for avoiding risky throws. Hardison’s arm strength is another asset, evident in his 2,044 passing yards and 11 touchdowns in the prior season.
Read More:
- The Top 14 Best NFL Fan Traditions Ranked
- The 10 Best NFL Players to Retire Early – The Gridiron Sport
- Dive into a Realm of Dreams with Josh Jacobs Fantasy
- What Is Andrew Luck Doing Now? Where is Andrew Luck Now?
Reasons Supporting Jacksonville State
Jacksonville State’s defense showcased strength in 2022, yielding an average of 22.9 points per game. The Gamecocks effectively limited their opponents to fewer than 20 points in six games during that season. Junior defensive lineman Chris Hardie emerges as a potent rusher with agility and tactical play recognition skills. Leading the team in tackles for loss (15.5) and sacks (5.5) in the previous season, Hardie displayed consistency in disrupting opponents. Notably, he maintained a streak of recording tackles for loss across nine out of 11 games. Junior defensive lineman Jaylen Swain further bolsters the defensive front with his speed and forceful hands, resulting in 36 total stops, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, and a team-high two forced fumbles in 2022.
Crafting Picks for UTEP vs. Jacksonville State
The SportsLine model projects the point total to remain below, predicting a combined score of 54 points. Furthermore, the model asserts that one side of the spread will prevail in more than 60% of simulations. To access the model’s prediction, refer to SportsLine.
To ascertain the victor between UTEP and Jacksonville State and to determine which side of the spread holds an advantage in simulations surpassing 60%, visit SportsLine. This insight is derived from a model that has earned nearly $2,500 through its college football predictions since its inception.
